Our Amazing Nurses of PediCare

September 23, 2021

Happy Nurses...Happy Patients

A quick chat with the PediCare Nurses

Often times we find ourselves chatting about our fantastic nurses at PediCare and how so many of them go so far beyond what is called for. Private Duty Nursing is already a field that requires a little more patience and dedication (not that other fields don't but we're biased!) But when you start PEDIATRIC Private Duty Nursing, you can quickly realize the pressure of an uncontrolled environment with the weight of parents, siblings, and loved ones in the same room. Caring for patients in their own safe space has its challenges, but we're here for it, we love the reward of seeing our precious patients thrive in an environment outside of a medical setting. 

We also love our nurses! There are so many amazing people from so many different backgrounds. Our family of nurses is truly one-of-a-kind. In the spirit of keeping it light and playful, we asked some nurses a few questions. 

Ollie Heidelberg

Registered Nurse

- Tell us a little bit about yourself? (Family, pets, hobbies, etc.)
Recently I celebrated my 74th birthday. I have been employed in the Nursing Profession for 50 years with the last 40years at Woman’s Hospital where I worked as Relief Supervisor, Neonatal Transport Nurse, and Patient Care Coordinator in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I am the mother of one wonderful Adult Daughter now living in Houston, Texas. I enjoy reading, working on Puzzles, Dancing (that now I do more looking than doing) meeting people’s and helping others.


- Give us 3 of your life’s biggest highlights.
3 of my life's biggest highlights. (1) Receiving my degrees in Nursing. Associate Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree. (2)Traveling to and spending a month in Tokyo, Japan, and most important (3) Being blessed with a Beautiful, Healthy Baby Girl at the age of 43.

- As a nurse at PediCare, what is one single duty of your job that gives you a sense of total compassion or success?
Taking care of these Special Needs Children and gaining the Trust and Confidence of the parents in my ability to care for their child.

- If you were to write a self-help book what would it be?
My self-help book would be….Choose your battles, stay focus and fight for the important things that matter. Keep God in mind with whatever you say or do.

- What is your personal mantra?
My personal mantra…..” Do and say unto others as unto God”.

- As a private-duty nurse, what would you tell other nurses looking to join and make an impact within the private-duty nursing field?
I would tell them. You have only one patient and family to focus your care and expertise in Nursing on. Very rewarding in that these parents are opening up their homes to you, having confidence and trust in your ability to take care of their precious Special Child.

- What was your favorite superhero as a child?
My Mom😀, as a child I thought she could do any and everything she was my HERO.

- If you could change one thing about private duty nursing, what would it be?
Based on my experience with PediCare there is nothing I would change the company is Very Professional, thorough, employee-oriented, an asset to Healthcare and to Private Duty Nursing. “KUDOS “ to the staff.

Charles Wesley

Registered Nurse

- Tell us a little bit about yourself? (Family, pets, hobbies, etc.)
Married 22 years, 20 y/o Son ROTC engineering major at MS State University, 15 y/o daughter sophomore Cheerleader at Terry HS. We have 2 German Shepherds, Lucky & Charm.

- As a nursing provider for PediCare, how impactful do you feel your job is to a family?
I give the families a since of reassuring and someone they can depend on to are for their loved ones.

- What do you find most challenging about your job at PediCare?
Most challenging is seeing when a client's health is not being upkeep by family.

- Before working with PediCare what was your most unusual job?
My most unusual job was a corrections nurse for juveniles.

- What is your favorite quote?
"A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass."
Proverbs 19:12

- If you had to have one meal for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
Steak and vegetables....protein and vitamins.

- If you could give one piece of advice to a nursing student wanting to make an impact, what would it be?
Take your time and learn all you can, be patient but assertive.

- What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
Any of the Looney Tunes

Leslie Hanson

Registered Nurse

- Tell us a little bit about yourself? (Family, pets, hobbies, etc.)
I’m single and live in Star with my 10yo lab, Liberty. I have a pet donkey. Last Christmas I started LCH Treat Factory. I make all kinds of chocolate covered treats.

- As a nursing provider for PediCare, how impactful do you feel your job is to a family?
Having an in-home nurse not only provides nursing care but also an aide with physical, occupational and speech therapies. Having someone other than the caregiver to know your special needs child’s every need, is an invaluable resource.

- What do you find most challenging about your job at PediCare?
Fitting into the home schedule the caregiver already has in place

- Before working with PediCare what was your most unusual job?
I was a travel nurse for 5 years prior to starting with PediCare. One summer I was the Nurse Manager at a camp for kids with special medical needs.

- What is your favorite quote?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge the Lord and He will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6

- If you had to have one meal for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
Hibachi filet and shrimp! It hits almost all the food groups!

- If you could give one piece of advice to a nursing student wanting to make an impact, what would it be?
Never be afraid to ask for help.

- What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
Smurfs

Dottie Boutin

Registered Nurse

- Tell us a little bit about yourself? (Family, pets, hobbies, etc.)
Hi I am Dottie and thank you for allowing me to have a voice and claim my seat on the wonderful Pedicare team!
I have been a Registered Nurse for … 23 years (geez).. Seems like yesterday that I graduated college.
I married young, have four beautiful children (2 boys Joel 35 and Kyle 25, 2 girls Tina 32 and Aubrey 20) and two grand children (Jadence 12 and Wyatt 3).
I divorced after 20 years of marriage. It was an awful struggle but I survived.
I turned 50 in 2020 and although it was a very devastating year for all of us, It really has been the best year of my life. So many changes happened that I would have never chose on my own including coming to work for Pedicare to get out of the hospital setting.
Never did I know that it would be one of the most rewarding adventures of my life.
I have meet some wonderful people, have an apartment near the beach, and I get to snuggle with God’s children while I am at work. Aaaahhh what a life!
I am learning to appreciate the little things like my feet in the sand. A sunny day. A cool breeze. A good book. Quiet time. And a bag of chips all to myself.

- As a nursing provider for PediCare, how impactful do you feel your job is to a family?
I really cannot even imagine.
I personally have four healthy children of my own and when they were little that was a struggle for me in itself.
But if you are asking me “how I feel,” I feel …appreciated.
Worth-while. Valued.
I remember when I first started, I knew I could not “fix” anything for the family but I said to the Mom that for the night shift time that I was there, she could sleep soundly in the same bed with her husband. I knew I could do that for them.

- Before working with PediCare what was your most unusual job?
My most unusual job before PediCare was when I was a camp nurse at a summer camp in Pennsylvania with 7 other nurses, 200 counselors, and 500 children (All from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida), ages 6-16, Who all stayed (and lived) at camp for 12 weeks. 😳🙏
* *It was very different and scary for me. I learned a lot skill wise and also about myself. It was very rewarding.

- What is your favorite quote?
”Take good care of yourself.”

- If you had to have one meal for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
steak, potatoes, and broccoli-why Bc it is well balanced-
but if I’m being honest - CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM!! Why?
-because it’s darn good , that’s why!

- If you could give one piece of advice to a nursing student wanting to make an impact, what would it be?
Always try something new to see if it’s a good fit for you
And “Be Gentle” with yourself. You can not expect yourself to know everything when you first get there.

- What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
Tom and Jerry-
No matter how many conflicts they had they always remain friends.

Lauren Bond

Registered Nurse

- Tell us a little bit about yourself? (Family, pets, hobbies, etc.)
I am a newly-wed married in November of 2020! We have two boys, Sawyer, 8, and Jude, 6. We love to spend time together and travel! Our boys keep us busy with sports and we are very involved with our church community. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree so my plate is very full!


- Give us 3 of your life’s biggest highlights.
Three biggest life highlights include: from Sept 2015-July 2016 I did an 11-month mission trip to 11 different countries in Central America, Asia, and Africa. In November 2019, I was finally able to legally adopt my son after he spent 3.5 years in foster care. November 6, 2020, I got married and it was the best day ever!

- As a nurse at PediCare, what is one single duty of your job that gives you a sense of total compassion or success?
As a nurse with PediCare I work with a 2-year-old little girl who I adore. The best part of my job is when she gets worked up and I settle into the recliner with her in my arms and she calms and sleeps on my chest. There’s no better feeling in the world than knowing that she feels comfortable and safe enough to rest when I’m holding her!

- If you were to write a self-help book what would it be?
Ha! I’m the one that needs the self-help book. But if I wrote my own, the focus would have to be on how you absolutely cannot do this life alone. You need Jesus and you need a good community.

- What is your personal mantra?
I have “Be Still” tattooed on my arm where I see it all the time. I have to remind myself I am not in control, I cannot do this in my own strength, and sometimes I just need to be still and let God work.

- As a private-duty nurse, what would you tell other nurses looking to join and make an impact within the private-duty nursing field?
I have ALWAYS said I will NEVER do home health. BUT, this is unlike anything I ever imagined. The joy these children bring and the irreplaceable lessons they teach you will change your life. This work has a purpose and you end up gaining more than you could ever give!

- What was your favorite superhero as a child?
Wonder Woman

- If you could change one thing about private duty nursing, what would it be?
I wish it wasn’t so hard to compete with the hospitals and other clinical jobs. Finding coverage for our patients can prove to be difficult and it leaves our families run down and exhausted without help. I hope more nurses open their eyes to other opportunities and take the leap to see how life-changing this job can be!
So you see...we truly are a family from all walks, we're always seen as "nurses", always seen as "healthcare workers". But if we look just a little bit further beyond the surface, we are mothers, brothers, neighbors, and friends all with an aligned passion. A passion for pediatric nursing. Our amazing nurses make PediCare the family that it is. We thank you!
PediCare
307 East Government Street, Suite A, Brandon, MS 39042
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