What Is The Role Of A Pediatric Private Duty Nurse?
Every parent’s goal is to give their child enough time and love, hence guaranteeing a wonderful childhood. If you’re a parent to a child with special health needs, this is even more important since they need additional care and attention. And, because you might not always be available to help out your child, then hiring a pediatric private duty nurse might be necessary. The pediatric private duty nurse specializes in providing nursing care to kids between the ages of 0 to 20.
If you have a child with special needs, it’s normal to have some reservations about hiring someone else to look after your baby. And, to help you out with this decision, below is a guide detailing what to expect when you hire a pediatric private duty nurse.
What Does The Pediatric Private Duty Nurse Do?
A pediatric private duty nurse has the necessary training and experience to look after a child with certain health needs that necessitate personalized and constant attention. Therefore, if you have a newborn, toddler, kid, or adolescent with special needs, hiring a professional from reputable companies such as Centric Healthcare might be necessary.
Some of the conditions that might necessitate the need to hire a pediatric private duty nurse include:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Frequent seizures
- Transplant patients
- Gastrointestinal disorders or gastrostomies
- Ventilator dependency or tracheotomy
- Neurological brain disorders
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Intravenous nutrition
How much time the pediatric private duty nurse spends with your child depends on the family’s ability to look after the child and the severity of the condition. This means that these professionals might need to spend almost every hour with the child daily or just a couple of hours per day. For the last point mentioned above, it is recommended to use neonatal PICC catheters which will help to avoid different kinds of technical complications and the frequent pain caused by the needle sticks. It is inserted into the vein of a newborn’s arm, leg or sometimes neck.
The various roles healthcare professionals performing pediatric private duty nursing are mandated to perform are:
- Administering medical treatment
- Advising you as the child’s caregiver
- Monitoring the progress made and any setbacks for the review by the doctors and specialists
- Making knowledgeable observations
- Developing a care plan to help make a structured routine
You should only hire a pediatric private duty nurse if your child’s doctor advises you to take such a step. It would be best to talk to discharge planners, social workers, and nurses before deciding whether to hire this professional.
Once it’s deemed necessary to hire the pediatric private duty nurse, this expert will then plan their first visit. After this, they’ll be able to decide the number of hours of specialized nursing care required by your child. You can ask any question on your head at this point, and the nurse will gladly give you honest feedback.
If everything is agreed upon, go ahead and sign the necessary paperwork with the pediatric private duty nurse and develop a schedule. However, this program shouldn’t be fixed as it needs to be adjustable depending on your child’s progress and needs.
Benefits Of A Pediatric Private Duty Nurse
Hiring a pediatric private duty nurse will have several benefits to your child. These include:
1. Minimizes The Need For Hospitalization
If your kid is constantly being admitted and discharged from the hospital when being treated for a particular medical condition, then hiring a private pediatric nurse is advisable. Doing this is crucial because your child doesn’t end up spending days or weeks away from you and other family members. This usually has a great impact on the child, especially if the hospital is located far away from your place of residence or work. In such a situation, you’ll need to travel back and forth, which can be very costly in the long-run since you pay for other extra costs, such as meals, lodging, and travel.
If this is the challenge you’re going through, then hiring a pediatric private duty nurse is advised. Having this medical professional at your home reduces your child’s need to be constantly admitted to hospital and be separated from their friends, family, and school, among others things. And, with the specialized medical care, the nurse will observe vitals, monitor early symptoms, and communicate any possible concerns with the child’s doctor. Therefore, it will be a lot faster to determine the most effective and suitable treatment for your child.
2. Improved Quality Of Life
As a parent, the last thing you want your child is to go through routine visits to the doctor’s office. And, the best solution in such a situation is to hire a pediatric private duty nurse. Hiring this professional ensures your child receives the needed care in the privacy and comfort of your home. This also means less time spent taking your child to the hospital, and this allows them to focus on other enjoying activities, such as playing with their friends.
If your child is suffering from a chronic condition that requires extended medical care, it’s also advised to hire a pediatric private duty nurse. Doing this is vital since your child receives the needed assistance in managing equipment, medications, and personal care. Therefore, they’ll become a lot more confident and independent when interacting with other family members, playing with their friends, or going to school. And, with this empowered mindset, they’ll enjoy an improved quality of life.
3. Personalized Care Planning
As your child grows, their needs will start to change depending on whether their health condition is declining, improving, or stabilizing. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that their entire experience is beneficial and positive, and this can be achieved by hiring a pediatric private duty nurse. This professional working together with a medical provider and your family will develop a personalized care plan for your child.
This plan will focus on the goals and challenges your child is facing, pedestrian’s care recommendations, and your family’s needs. They’ll keep updating this plan with your child’s changing needs to ensure they always have the best-personalized care possible.
Takeaway
The pediatric private duty nurse plays a critical role in safeguarding the wellbeing of a child with special needs. Thanks to this professional, your child gets to live the best possible life regardless of whatever condition they might be suffering. Thanks to their help, you get to know how to ensure your child gets the much needed support to live life to the fullest despite their sickness.
