Going to take care of a kid with SMA. Spinal Muscular Atrophy

[bleedingpurple]

I have been doing home health care for a while and take care of a client who is a quadriplegic, totally vent dependent. I have been doing this for about 6 years but felt the need to do a little more on the side as this is the EASIEST JOB I have ever had and not even close. Need stimulation as nurses tend to need to switch around from time to time. Mostly burnout but mine is from boredom. Love my job and will never leave my current client. He is like my dad but just needed to expand. So what the hell did I get myself into? :scared

I signed up for a company that had an ad in Craigslist. Bayada Nursing company.. Called them and they have a HUGE need for nurses in the area with Vent/Trach/Respiratory experience. I worked in a Vent hospital before as well. So I applied and they have a little girl about an hour from where I live that they can't get staffed. She is vent dependent but I have never cared for Children but I had a week of practice on dummies and I know the procedures (different than and adult on vent) but I am getting a little bit more nervous about it now. I have tons of confidence in my ability but don't know if I can handle seeing a child in this condition. Family will be watching me like a hawk... Start on the Monday night shift.

Wish me luck

 

[VaNurse]

Good luck, BP, I couldn't do it! I admire those who do but I don't do critical peds or OB/GYN. I'll say a little prayer for you.

 

[UGA12]

GL man, I admire you for having the ability to do this. I certainly couldnt!

 

[Morris]

Wow really admire you for doing this. GL. I think you will get alot out of caring for a child. She will show her appreciation in many ways. GL.

 

[bleedingpurple]

Good luck, BP, I couldn't do it! I admire those who do but I don't do critical peds or OB/GYN. I'll say a little prayer for you.

Was working in a hospital in rural Minnesota and I rarely covered ER but the last 2 times I did, I had kids who had trauma from auto accidents and one died at another hospital the next day. Shook me up.. Hoping I can handle non trauma/emergent care with peds.

That damn ER, never knew what you would see? Young deaths, helicopters coming in, kids with a scratch, kids with bones sticking out of their arms, anaphlaxis, hypoglycemia, alcohol poisoning, heart attacks, strokes, dog bites, sore throats, dizziness. Don't miss those days.

 

[SixFive]

Hope the family aren't dickheads! Dealing with patients is usually much easier than the families.

You'll do fine though with ur vent experience!

 

[bleedingpurple]

Hope the family aren't dickheads! Dealing with patients is usually much easier than the families.

You'll do fine though with ur vent experience!

Yeah that is the thing you always worry about.. With adult clients, you can meet them a head of time to see if there is a fit. When caring for a child there must be strict boundaries between nurse and parent.

 

[VaNurse]

It might not be a bad idea to "consult" the family for the best way to care for their little one. I'm sure they're aware of how difficult it is to find nurses willing to work with their child but remember, they have been doing it themselves as well.

When I was working hospice, we took on a child that no other hospice would take on. The family had been in the medical system for seven years and knew all of the ropes. They were an excellent resource for our nurses during the time before the child was "actively dying" and they were truly appreciative of our nurses when that time came.

 

[bleedingpurple]

It might not be a bad idea to "consult" the family for the best way to care for their little one. I'm sure they're aware of how difficult it is to find nurses willing to work with their child but remember, they have been doing it themselves as well.

When I was working hospice, we took on a child that no other hospice would take on. The family had been in the medical system for seven years and knew all of the ropes. They were an excellent resource for our nurses during the time before the child was "actively dying" and they were truly appreciative of our nurses when that time came.

Oh yes you have to consult, I guess I should of been more clear. When I talk about boundaries I mean more professional. That professionalism can be lost a bit or reduced when taking care of an adult client for 6 years. I guess you never want that type of attachment with parents of a disabled child. Judgement can be swayed. At leas that is what they say.

 

[dawgball]

This is an extremely big chore!!

One of our best friend's here in Nashville has a niece and nephew with SMA. Unbelievable amount of work!

Big props for you on taking this on!

 

[bleedingpurple]

First night was fine. Sad to see a little girl in that state but it is what it is. Mom was nice to meet and she laid down the house rules. Nothing out of ordinary, lots of chest cpt and suctioning. I think I can handle it.