Tips for Pediatric Nurses Transitioning from Hospital Care to Home Care

For nurses who are looking for a transition in their careers from hospital care to home care, it can feel a little challenging. While it comes with adjustments, making the shift to pediatric home care nursing is extremely rewarding. Here are things to expect and how to successfully transition into home care.

What are the Benefits of Transitioning to Home Care?

Working as a Pediatric Home Care Nurse comes with many benefits. There is more flexibility around your schedule, more opportunities to build skills and specialize in nursing services, and many ways to deepen connections with your patients and their families. 

Evaluate Skills You Can Carry Over

Before you immediately choose to pursue home care, think about all the work you’ve done in your nursing career so far. What nursing skills have you learned? How do you navigate working with patients and their families? As a Pediatric Home Care Nurse, you’ll make medical decisions for your patient without immediate backup. Do you have the strategies and confidence to make swift decisions when needed? 

Stay Updated On Certifications 

Home healthcare might require additional experience. While passing the Pediatric Nursing Certification board is required, the following additional healthcare certifications are not, but they might help you score a job quicker. Do your research on what requirements you might need at certain agencies. Also, seek out additional educational courses that will help you become more marketable as a Pediatric Home Care Nurse. 

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification
• Basic Life Support Certification

Do Your Research On Pediatric Home Care Agencies

Research all potential new employers and find out information about their reputation, benefits, policies, training opportunities, and work culture. When you already understand an agency’s expectations before applying, you can ensure that you are interviewing at places where you feel you could be a good fit for your skills and career goals. When you visit Thrive SPC’s website, you’ll find valuable information about our agency from our services, mission, our leadership, and our resources. 

Logistically Plan Out Your New Schedule

Pediatric home care nursing comes with its challenges whether it’s traveling from different homes, not having a consistent 9 to 5 schedule, changes in system reporting, and new emotional and physical demands. 

Most home care nurses will plan out their schedule one week in advance. This schedule will include outlines of when and how care will be provided to their patients including details like type of care, frequency and duration of visits, and specific tasks to be performed. A good schedule includes the following:

• Ensures patients receive the care they need
• Helps coordinate care between different providers 
• Allows patients and families to plan their days around scheduled visits
• Helps ensure consistent care  
• Provides a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of care and making needed adjustments 

At Thrive SPC, our supervisors and schedulers work closely with nurses to make sure they are matched with patients who align with their skills and create a schedule that provides flexibility and the highest quality care. 

Thrive SPC offers resources for anyone considering moving to home care so they can have an easier transition. Ready to make the switch, browse our careers at https://www.thrivespc.com/careers/.