Especially as our population ages, Private Duty Nursing is much in demand. If you are interested in pursuing a career in this area, you will appreciate the information below from NurseJournal.org.
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Private Duty Nurse Career in Brief: LPN/LVN DIPLOMA, ADN, OR BSN REQUIRED
Private duty nursing, like home health nurses, provides care to patients in their home. Generally, home nursing care patients have serious conditions that require experienced nursing skills and professional judgment. Patients may be using a feeding tube for medication and nutrition, on a ventilator, or require a nurse to assess their condition. Typically, a private nurse sees the same patients regularly and works a scheduled shift, often the day shift.

Many patients who receive private duty nursing require additional support or care. Home health aides, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), or caretakers work under the private nurse's direction and help with daily living tasks such as bathing or dressing. For example, the private duty nurse may provide nutritional guidelines, while the CNA actually prepares meals.

Typical skills and responsibilities include:
Key Skills and Responsibilities

• Taking a patient's vital signs and updating their electronic health records
• Communicating any changes or patient needs to other clinical staff
• Supervising the work of CNAs or home health aides
• Making sure that medical equipment is functioning well
• Providing wound and other post-surgery care for patients
• Placing a feeding tube for patients who cannot take food orally

Career Traits

• Empathetic
• Strong communication skills
• Responsible
• Versatile

Where Do Private Duty Nurses Work?
While most private nurses provide home healthcare, they also provide care in hospitals and long-term facilities like nursing homes. In these settings, they typically care for the most vulnerable patients who need intensive nursing on a daily basis.

•  Patient's Private Residences: Patients may be recently discharged from a hospital and recovering from illness or injury at home. A nurse's responsibilities include helping them with their recovery. In other cases, a patient may have a chronic or long-term condition that needs expert care but doesn't need a hospital facility.
•  Nursing Care Facility: In a nursing care facility or hospital, private nursing cares for patients who have complicated care needs that take many hours daily or per shift.
•  Hospice: Private duty nursing also provides pain management and comfort care to hospice patients. They may perform such duties as administering intravenous infusions, maintaining catheters or a colostomy bag, and oncology care.

Why Become a Private Duty Nurse?
Private duty nursing involves taking care of fewer patients than other forms of nursing, usually in the patient's home rather than a hospital. This means less stress but also greater responsibility, as you won't be able to ask another on-site clinician for a second opinion or advice.

Advantages to Becoming a Private Duty Nurse

• Home settings are often less stressful than hospital settings.
• You have the chance to develop a longer-term relationship with the patient and family.
• You have greater flexibility to determine your hours and shifts.

Disadvantages to Becoming a Private Duty Nurse

• Private nurses usually must travel to patient's homes.
• You have limited resources to respond to emergencies in a patient's home compared to a hospital or nursing facility.
• You have greater responsibility as you are usually the most qualified clinician on-site.

How to Become a Private Duty Nurse
You can become a private nurse with an LPN/LVN license. (Texas and California use the term LVN instead of LPN, but there is no difference between the two.) This takes one year of study at an approved school. However, RNs receive a higher private duty nurse salary, as do most RNs with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.

Interested in learning more about becoming a private duty nurse--or using your nursing skills TODAY?
Contact us here at Next Level Nursing Solutions. We'd love to help!

Certified Nurses Day™ is an annual day of recognition for and by healthcare leaders dedicated to nursing professionalism, excellence, recognition, and service. Every March 19, employers, certification boards, education facilities, and healthcare providers celebrate and publicly acknowledge nurses who earn and maintain the highest credentials in their specialty. Certified Nurses Day™ honors nurses worldwide who contribute to better patient outcomes through national board certification in their specialty.
More than 70 organizations participated in the first Certified Nurses Day by signing the proclamation and sponsoring annual events including:

• Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC)
• National Organization for Competency Assurance
• American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Canadian Nurses Association

Certified Nurses Day is the perfect opportunity to invite all nurses to advance their career by choosing certification.


Certified Nurses Day™ occurs every March 19, the birthday of Dr. Margretta "Gretta" Madden Styles, RN, EdD, FAAN, one of the greatest leaders in the field of nursing certification. She recognized the critical importance of credentialing before broad awareness of its value and her work created global impact on the nursing profession. Dr. Styles architected the first comprehensive study of nurse credentialing in the 1970s. She then pioneered the development and implementation of standards and credentials for nurses.
In the 1980s, she spearheaded the definitive work of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) on nursing regulation. A driving force behind the creation of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Dr. Styles advanced nurse certification services and programs across the US and abroad.

Professional certification is a voluntary designation earned by individuals who demonstrate a level of competency, skill, and knowledge in their field. Certification affirms advanced knowledge, skill, and practice to meet the challenges of modern nursing.

We are proud of all the Certified Nurses on our Next Level team!

We are excited and proud to announce the opening of our new Wichita office, at 200 E. 1st North, Suite 415, in the historic Farmers & Bankers Building.

And we're excited to welcome Nicole Mainwaring, our new Administrative Coordinator in the brand-new Wichita office!

Nicole says, “I have always had a drive to help and support people and turned that passion into a career when I joined the healthcare field in 2011. I also enjoy spending time with family, accomplishing DIY projects with my husband, and raising our 4 kids. My husband is active duty Air Force which brought us to McConnell and I’m excited to continue my journey with Next Level!"

Last year, we expanded by opening our Topeka office, located at 3706 SW Topeka Blvd., Suite 400. We are grateful to continue increasing the area we serve.

We are grateful that YOU choose Next Level Nursing Solutions: Healthcare with Heart!


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 Here is some information from the Alzheimer's Prevention Registry about a study that is looking for participants. If this study is not a good fit for you, please consider sharing with friends and family.


Now Enrolling: Building Resilience in Caregivers – Online
UT Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth researchers invite you to participate in Building Resilience in Caregivers . The purpose of this study is to educate caregivers about the importance of taking care of their own brain health and to provide tools on ways to optimize brain function.

This study is part of The BrainHealth Project, a prospective, longitudinal study focused on identifying determinants of brain health. If you are already a participant in the BrainHealth Project, you are not eligible for this study.

Participants start by getting a BrainHealth Index (a set of assessments), then meet virtually with their BrainHealth coach who is knowledgeable about Alzheimer’s. The coach will help translate the strategies to the challenges of caregiving. Progress is stored on a personalized, password-protected dashboard. Participants in this study will have the opportunity to continue with The BrainHealth Project at the end of this 6-month study.

Researchers are looking for people who:

• Are a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementia
• Are interested in being proactive about their brain health
• Speak English
• Have access to the internet
• Have a computer or iPad with video and audio capability (for online coaching sessions)
• Are not already participating in The BrainHealth Project

For a full description of Building Resilience in Caregivers, please click here. 
LEARN MORE

Excerpts from an article by Elder Law Answers can help you learn more about respite care.

It is easy to burn out when you are responsible for providing full-time care to an aging or disabled loved one. In some cases, caregiver burnout can result in resentment toward the individual they care for, despite their love for them.
The fact is, we all need a break sometimes. That is why respite care exists. If you are a caregiver who needs to take time for yourself, read more to learn about respite care.

What Does Respite Mean?Taking respite means having a temporary period of rest. For primary caregivers, this typically refers to securing short-term care for your loved one – even several weeks or months – so that you can recharge amid the very real burdens of caregiving.

In finding respite, you also might make time to practice self-care, from going to the gym to connecting with friends. Do not forget to find ways to maintain your sense of self while you are in the midst of giving so much of your time and attention to someone else.


Caregivers Want Information About Respite CareIn a 2022 survey of caregivers, Caregiving in America found that most were unaware that respite care was available. Many caregivers need more education about their options for respite care and how to build a network of support to share the load of providing financial and emotional support to an ailing loved one.
Here are some of the study’s findings:

• Fifty-nine percent of respondents reported that they were the primary emotional support system for a sick or impaired loved one.
• Twenty-two percent of respondents said they worked more than 40 hours per week as the primary caregiver to a disabled family member.
• Forty-eight percent of respondents disclosed they needed emotional support for themselves.
• Forty-four percent of respondents shared that they wanted information about where to find respite care.

Caregivers need information about maintaining their own health while supporting a family member. It is essential to prioritize yourself when caring for an aging or disabled relative.
Preventing Caregiver FatigueThe challenges of taking care of an ailing loved one can be extremely stressful. More than that, the strain of serving as a caregiver – often unpaid – can make a real and lasting impact on your own health if not kept in check.
Symptoms of burnout among caregivers may include the following:

• Losing sleep and extreme fatigue
• Feeling hopeless
• Having a quick temper
• Lack of interest in your favorite activities

If you or someone you know has taken on the responsibilities of caregiving, be aware of the signs of burnout and actively seek support. Respite care is among your potential options.
(If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, you may also be interested in learning more about burnout and other specific kinds of resources available to you.)
What Is Respite Care?Respite care gives caretakers a chance to relax and take a break from the responsibility of providing full-time care to loved ones who are aging or disabled. Respite programs offer short-term replacement care. These providers will step in for a short period to take on the responsibility of caring for your loved one.
The types of care you can expect them to take on may include the following:

• Bathing and dressing
• Cooking and cleaning
• Helping your loved one eat, drink, and take their medication
• Getting into and out of bed
• Assistance with the restroom
• Spending quality time with your loved one
• Helping with exercise and personal care

How Much Does Respite Care Services Cost?The cost of respite care varies depending on how long you use the service. You can schedule respite care for several days, weeks, months, or longer.
Who Pays for Respite Care?Private insurance will typically not cover respite care, unfortunately. If your loved one is covered by Medicare or Medicaid, you may be able to secure five consecutive days of respite care. Your loved one must be receiving hospice care benefits for Medicare to cover respite care.
Finding Respite CareSeveral organizations provide respite care. If your family member is covered by Medicaid, you can speak to a Medicaid planner in your state to determine what programs may be available. As mentioned above, Medicare covers respite care under its hospice benefit.
If your loved one is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, don’t worry; there are private organizations that provide this service. These organizations include:

• National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)
• Your Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

Contact us here at Next Level Nursing Solutions to talk through your options. We can help you explore how to pay for respite care, how your loved one might qualify for Medicaid, and more. 

First, let’s recognize that caregiving is HARD. Whether you are personally caring for your mother or father or other loved one at home, by yourself, and still holding down a full-time job–or whether you’re trying to figure out the maze of organizations and regulations for obtaining home care for that person you love–it’s HARD!

And there are many levels of care, from simple companionship a few hours a week and ensuring nutritious meals or housekeeping to keeping medications straight and full-on caregiving for someone who is ill. No matter what the level, caregiving is stressful–and that stress spills over into your relationship with your loved one.

This year, resolve to release the guilt and the stress. There is no judge who will decide if you are a good daughter or a good son or a good spouse. The only thing you need to do is give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for taking on the vital and challenging role of providing and finding appropriate care for your loved one.

Just like every aspect of life, caregiving can be a messy proposition. Whether you are the solo caregiver or have brought in private duty home care or you’re coordinating with medical and hospice teams, too, none of this progresses in crisp, linear fashion. Once you can accept that, your life (and that of your loved one) will be easier and calmer.

Support is huge. You may find that hiring a private duty home care worker–even for just a few hours per week–gives you the space you need to decompress. That time can also be spent attending support group meetings for caregivers, and those meetings will help you discover that you are not alone. Others are dealing with the same issues and may have solutions you’d never thought of. Just being among a group who is experiencing the same thing you are is both therapeutic and helpful.

Next Level Nursing Solutions offers professional, competent, and compassionate private duty home care. Choose the level of care that’s right for your loved one as well as the frequency and number of hours that are necessary.

Contact Next Level at 620-794-1338, email us at nextlevel@nextlevelnursingsolutions.com, or message us from our Facebook page.

We’d love to be part of your resolution to provide the best possible and most appropriate care for your loved one–and help YOU overcome some of the stress of caregiving.
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