What do you like least/most about private duty?

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I'm thinking about doing a some private duty or home health, just as a side job and hope to work in a hospital full time. Gotta take a second job at least for a while to pay down student debt....Anyhow....

What do you like about private duty the most? What made you choose it? Why do you stay? Whats the best part or perk?

and on the flipside...

What's the worst part? The biggest drawback?

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I am relatively new to private duty, but here are some of my likes/dislikes so far:

Likes:

1. I am totally old school and dearly love that we do paper charting. It is so easy and so simple. Computer charting with all of its complexities is one reason I left the hospital. I just could not keep up with the constant updates, changes, etc.

2. I love the one to one ratio. After years in the hospital juggling patients and all their needs, it took a while to get used to this, but I love not getting pulled in 20 directions.

3. I only work when I want to. Nobody forces me to work days I don't want to work.

4. I am away from the hospital and all of its hyper-management. No supervisors breathing down my neck, no inservices every time I blink, no constant changes to policies, procedures, protocols, etc to keep up with.

Dislikes:

1. I'm not sure if I'll ever get over the awkwardness of being in someone else's home.

2. No benefits, no diff, no vacation pay

3. There is really no guarantee of work. I am on a committed case now, but when that ends, not sure if there will be anything available.

4. I am it. There is no backup...no other nurses, doctors, pharamcists, RTs, etc to bounce thoughts, ideas, questions off of. There is no help if something goes wrong.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I love the pay, the patient, the 1-on-1 time/attention/care. I appreciate the ability to get to know my patient and her needs, I love that I am able to care for the entire family and leave each day knowing that I made a difference. I really enjoy my coworkers, and the way we all lean on one another to ensure a smooth-running case. I feel like I get paid to play for most of my shifts, and that is really awesome.

Now, my dislike list will appear longer but it's all relative:

I DISLIKE the instability of caring for a chronically medically fragile child. Yes, she's stable NOW but that can turn on a dime (after all, isn't her fragility why she qualifies for home care?!) and that not only affects the income, but it takes an emotional toll as well.

Along that vein, I dislike the constant "hustler" state of mind I have to be in; always having a backup plan, which sometimes means working more hours per week than I need or desire to because I have to keep my foot in the door at so many different gigs "just in case." I am not a fan of the politics and games that can come from private duty nursing: with others nurses and with the families. Yes, some parents can and will play nurses against one another-- and yes, other nurses can get ugly and territorial, which can present itself in a multitude of unexpected and oft-unpleasant ways; especially in the independent sector. I do feel comfortable in the home I'm in now, but there is always there initial discomfort- and sometimes you may find yourself overhearing or witnessing something and feeling unsure of how to (or even if you should) react. Do you pretend you didn't hear/see it? Do you offer a comforting word or hug following a marital blowup? What do you do, and why can't I just sink into the floor right now????? All-in-all, you get a feel for whether it's your forte or not, and if so, then the you'll find a way to minimize the negatives and celebrate the positives.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

i got into private duty for x-tra money while working week end option (Baylor)

pros (why i stay):

- you can choose your own schedule/cases

- you can get all your work done instead of going home defeated

- supervisors and office staff are appreciative and helpful (i know, that's not true for all agencies, but i've never been treated this well at any facility)

- you get to keep your sanity

- you get to go to the bathroom when you have to

- i like going to work instead of dreading it

- pay and bennies are decent (again, not true for all)

cons (why i moonlight at a LTAC)

- your skills will suffer

- it's harder to stay up to date

- paper charting (like it or not, familiarity with EHRs is part of your skills now)

- no access to fax (in my case anyway and it's a real drag)

- if pt. is hospitalized, you may get less hours for a while

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