BillyMae

We use a mars, tx's, vent, task and duties sheets. Just like anywhere else, but each home is different as to style and efficiency. You are trained to the individual home/case.

No good deed goes unpunished.......always hated that saying !! Relates to the work place though.

No, only for WI. but Florida may have their own.

"I also inform my clients that I stay awake on night shift to do my job. I had one client who insisted that the lights be off and he wanted the nurses to sleep. I told him what my responsibilities were and that I intended to follow them. I used a flashlight and had a terrible time sitting there in the dark on that one." Wow, I don't know if I could sit in the dark all night !! Must have been intolerable !! Hope you didn't have to do that too many times Tonight is my last NOC shift, resigned this case, adult vent, going back to peds, a baby:heartbeat I'm sooo excited, and it's day shift.

I stay awake also, but I do know that some cases allow their nurses to snooze if they feel that they can be alert to respond. I could be alert, but feel that if you are being paid, and have chosen to work night shift you should work night shift !! Besides, it's illegal to sleep if you are a Medicaid provider.

In WI. RN's make $32.69 per hour from the state Medicaid program, LPN's make around $21.00 I'm not sure on the exact amount. We are self-employed. It's the same whether you care for vent-dependent or non-vent clients. With an agency you are their employee and make whatever it is that they pay their nurses. In regard to time off, we plan ahead for vacations. Typically a client doesn't live alone, they live with family that is usually trained in their cares as well. They are the caregivers in the absence of a nurse. Not all clients qualify for 24 hr. care either, some only 8-12 hrs. per day.

If you had a child, wouldn't you somehow check in as well ? When I'm out of town for a couple of days I call my 19 yr. old to check in :)

KlsgZoo, are you a member of PHP ? If so, are you going to the conference Oct. 14th? How long have you been independent ?

I'm an independent RN, certified with the state of WI. Self-employed, vent client's, Medicaid, I work full-time. I find jobs by networking with other independent nurses, the job board on the professional homecare providers website, hospital websites, check with hospital discharge planners. I bill my own hours online, WI. has a great website, they direct deposit to my checking account :-) Been doing this for >5yrs. and don't plan on ever doing any other kind of nursing again, been there...done that !!

Procedure codes: vent-dependent 99504, non-vent s9123, these are for RN's. It doesn't matter what you do while you are working, as far as charging your hours. This is for WI, possibly national. The professional homecare providers is a really good resource if you live in WI. There is an annual conference on Oct. 14th at 1pm, at the Kalahari Resort Hotel in WI. Dells. CPR and vent recert are on the 15th. It is only $50.00 per year for membership dues, cheap. Of course the recerts are at cost. Try emailing them again, not sure why you didn't hear back, always prompt for me. Years of knowledge and experience to share, very helpful for the private-duty nurse in WI.

Alprazolam and White Merlot, :ZZZZZ

My comment regarding lack of intervention skills in the hospital setting is because of the condition that some elderly return to the nursing home in. Having fallen or obtained an open area on their coccyx or heels/elbows. Skin integrity and safety are a big issue in the geriatric population. It's offensive to me, the opinion that a nurse that has been working in LTC isn't a worthy candidate to be trained in acute care. Hiring policies are different, depending on where you are. I was hired for the medical/oncology unit with only LTC and clinic experience. For me, I felt that to be an advantage. One of the things that I like about this forum is the opportunity to hear the differing opinions :) And, as the previous poster stated, "No experience hurts"

There is so much that can be learned in LTC, knowledge that is invaluable to a nurse in ANY setting !! Hospital nurses that don't have LTC experience, from my experiences, often lack intervention skills r/t skin integrity, safety, mobility, and psycho-social issues. Many other reasons as well, but I'll let another person address why else LTC is beneficial. This is just one of my opinions, I have LTC and hospital experience, as well as clinic and private-duty. All nursing experience is advantageous !!

Well, it sounds like you've had no problem with lifting, that is good :) The potty training thing may or may not work, time will tell. And, you are definitely right about doing this over and over, opposed to LTC resident ratio's !! Private-duty isn't for everybody, you'll know if you like it or not, but give it some time. There is as great a need as in LTC, for nurses. If you make a difference in only one families life, that is something special. With any case it can take some time to find that comfortable connection, try to keep it professional though and maintain proper boundaries, (important). I'd be interested for an occasional update, if you don't mind :) Good luck !!!

Hi there, back from vacation :) In my experience, private-duty for a child will make a person strong !! As you get to know the child and how they tend to move, you'll know if it is safe for you to manage. Use good ergonomics, your legs will get strong. If you aren't comfortable with the lifting and transfers, don't do it without help or a lift. This may sound crazy, but I cared for a spastic quad for almost 2 yrs., we basically threw her over our shoulder and carried her like a sack of potatoes, she weighed 95 lbs !! Carried her all the way out to the car ! I got very strong, and I'm >50 yrs. old :)