What exactly is Private-Duty Nursing?

Private duty nursing, often referred to as PDN, is a specialized form of healthcare service provided by registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in a one-on-one, personalized setting. Unlike traditional hospital or clinic-based care, private-duty nursing takes place in the patient's home, allowing for a more intimate and tailored approach to healthcare. The spectrum of services offered by private duty nurses is broad and adaptable to the unique needs of each patient.

These skilled professionals can administer medication, provide wound care, assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), monitor vital signs, and manage complex medical equipment. They are also proficient in managing chronic conditions, post-surgical care, and pediatric care, making private-duty nursing a versatile option for patients across the age spectrum. Private duty nursing offers a multitude of advantages for both patients and their families. For patients, it represents a chance to receive medical care in the familiar and comforting environment of their homes. This not only promotes emotional well-being but can also lead to improved health outcomes. Patients often experience reduced stress and anxiety, faster recovery times, and enhanced overall quality of life.

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How Do I know if I Qualify for PDN?

Private- Duty Nursing can sometimes be very complex to navigate through what is qualified and what is not. Most often, we see our patients referred directly from the hospital provider. Generally speaking, most cases are very medically complex and require much more nursing care than what Home Health can provide.  Many times patients are given a choice of companies to work with as everyone has the Freedom of Choice when it comes to their healthcare providers. From G-tubes and feeding disorders to trach-care and neurological disorders there can be many combinations of complex conditions that might qualify a patient for PDN, but ultimately that choice is made between your healthcare provider and you. 

It goes much deeper than just nursing care.

On the surface, it seems like finding nurses to provide care for children might be a somewhat easy task. However, providing pediatric private-duty nursing goes far beyond simply finding nurses to care for a patient. Coordinating insurance approvals, and scheduling nurses daily is just the beginning. We maintain care plans and collaborate with patients' care teams to provide the highest level of care possible in the home. 

Nurse Recruitment

Finding nurses is always on the top of our list. Quite the difficult challenge, We are always searching for pediatric nurses who meet the needs and qualifications to care for our patients. 

Specialized Skill Set

Specialized Skill Set: Pediatric nursing demands a distinct skill set, including expertise in assessing and addressing the unique healthcare needs of children of all ages, from infants to adolescents. These nurses must be adept at administering medications in pediatric dosages, understanding age-specific growth and development milestones, and managing childhood illnesses and injuries.

Emotional Resilience

Caring for pediatric patients often involves emotionally charged situations. Pediatric nurses must be equipped to handle the emotional toll that comes with witnessing young patients' suffering, providing support to distraught families, and communicating effectively with children who may not fully understand their condition.

Family Centered Care

Pediatric nursing goes beyond just caring for the child; it extends to the entire family. Nurses in this field need strong interpersonal skills to engage with parents, siblings, and other caregivers, providing education and support to ensure the best possible care environment for the child.

Continual Education

Pediatric nursing is a dynamic field with ever-evolving medical knowledge and technologies. Nurses must be committed to ongoing education and training to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in pediatric care.

Insurance Approvals

The ins and outs of insurance can be a very complicated department for many. That's why we take great pride in being as knowledgeable and informative as we can when it comes to helping our patients with insurance questions. 

Insurance is like a safety net that ensures you and your loved ones receive the care you need, and we believe that understanding and maximizing your coverage should be stress-free.

Knowledge is Power

Our dedicated team is well-versed in the complexities of insurance. We stay up-to-date with the ever-changing landscape of healthcare policies, ensuring that we can provide our patients with the most accurate and current information.

Personalized Guidance

We understand that every patient's insurance situation is unique. That's why we offer personalized assistance tailored to your specific needs. Whether it's helping you understand your policy, assisting with claims, or exploring coverage options, we've got you covered.

Peace of Mind

We believe that when you have a clear understanding of your insurance, it leads to peace of mind. You can focus on what matters most – the well-being of your child – knowing that the financial aspect is taken care of.

Flexibility is the Key

We understand that life is ever-evolving. Patients have healthcare appointments, school commitments, and parents often have demanding work schedules. We embrace this dynamism and work tirelessly to accommodate every need that arises.

Communication is Vital

Open and clear communication is the backbone of successful scheduling. We keep the channels of communication wide open, ensuring that families can reach out to us whenever they need adjustments or have questions.

Nurse Availability

We try our best to carefully match our nurses' availability with the patient's schedule to ensure that there's always a skilled and compassionate nurse ready to provide care. However, we recognize this may not always be the case as we match nurses with families. Availability typically can be determined by how many nurses a family currently has working with them. 

Scheduling

Once we've sorted out the intricate details of insurance and have gathered a stellar team of nurses to staff each case, we turn our attention to another crucial aspect of pediatric private-duty nursing - scheduling.

Scheduling is the heartbeat of our operation, and we understand that it's not just about dates and times; it's about weaving together the intricate threads of our patients' lives. It's about ensuring that every child receives the care they need when they need it, without adding stress to their families' already busy lives.

Patient Care Management

At PediCare, we take immense pride in the vital role we play as an integral part of each patient's care-management team. Our commitment to delivering exceptional pediatric private-duty nursing services goes beyond just providing skilled medical care; it's about being a dedicated and compassionate partner in your child's healthcare journey.

Here's why we're not just a service, but an essential member of your care-management team:

Personalized Care

We understand that every child is unique, and their healthcare needs are too. As part of the care-management team, we tailor our services to match the specific requirements of each patient. We work closely with other healthcare professionals, ensuring that our care aligns seamlessly with the overall treatment plan.

Continuity of Care

Consistency in care is crucial, especially for pediatric patients. Our nurses become a familiar and trusted presence in your child's life. We establish strong bonds and routines that contribute to their emotional well-being and recovery.

Collaboration

In the intricate web of healthcare, collaboration is key. We actively collaborate with doctors, therapists, and other specialists to ensure that the care provided is holistic and aligned with the patient's medical goals.

Family Support

We don't just care for the patient; we care for the entire family. We provide support, education, and guidance to parents and caregivers, empowering them to be active members of the care-management team themselves.

In essence, PediCare isn't just a provider of nursing services; we're a dedicated and compassionate extension of your family, working tirelessly alongside other healthcare professionals to ensure that your child receives the best care possible. We take our role in your child's care-management team seriously because we understand that nothing matters more than the health, happiness, and well-being of your little one

Our Staff

Melissa Flanagin, NNP-BC

Founder/CEO

Melissa is the heart and brain behind PediCare. Her compassion, dedication, and educational background serve as a strong foundation for her role as a leader in pediatric healthcare. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mississippi College in 2009. She continued her education at Vanderbilt University, completing her Master of Science in Nursing in 2012, followed by becoming Board- Certified as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. 

Read More about Melissa

Over the past 14 years, Melissa has had the opportunity to work in every NICU throughout the greater Jackson area, providing her expertise as both an RN and NNP. Bearing witness to the limited resources and challenges faced by NICU families upon discharge, combined with her experiences as a new mother, Melissa felt called to make a difference in the lives of these children and their families. In 2017, after thorough research and planning, and with support of her husband, Drew, she founded PediCare. When asked what it is that drives her love of the company and the work she is able to do through PediCare, Melissa said, "Being able to tell a mother we can help, that she's not alone- that's why I do this. There is no greater feeling than seeing these children grow, thrive, and do things they were told they never would." When she is not working, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, being a mom to her two beautiful children, and caring for their two dogs, two horses, and cat. She loves traveling, reading, and learning anything new.

Brandi Young, RN

Administrator

The experience, personality and dedication Brandi has made her the perfect fit for PediCare. She can best be described as the glue that holds us all together. She is dedicated to giving her best to every patient, family, and nurse. Brandi received her nursing degree from Hinds Community College in 2010 and continued her education at The University of MS, completing her Bachelor of Science degree in 2013. 

Read More about Brandi

Brandi has experience in many areas of pediatric nursing including intensive care, transitional care, prescribed pediatric extended care and private duty nursing and received her Pediatric Certification in 2014. You can feel how much Brandi loves her job when she talks about it. She says, “I love seeing the interactions between our nurses and our patients – watching them celebrate milestones, providing education and support to the family, and going above and beyond each day to provide the best care possible.” In addition to her work, Brandi loves spending time with her family, traveling and painting.

Marcie Errington, RN

Nurse Supervisor

Marcie has a big heart and pays attention to the little things. She balances our management team with a more relaxed approach. In 2004, Marcie completed her nursing degree at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. She started her nursing career in the NICU, where she stayed until her transition to PDN in 2015. 

Read more about Marcie

Marcie has a unique ability to relate to patients and families on a personal level. She had the following to say about her position at PediCare: “I get to watch children with special needs grow and thrive at home with their families. Watching them accomplish feats that many thought were impossible is the greatest joy and achievement I could ever imagine.”
Marcie also enjoys spending time with her three sons, being outdoors, creating art from things she finds in nature and caring for her many pets.

Christina Kamper, RN

Nurse Supervisor

Christina has a genuine love for her patients and brings positive energy to the team. She is great at multitasking and faces a challenge head on. When asked what her favorite part of working with PediCare is, she said “there is nothing more rewarding than seeing our patients thrive due to the combination of excellent nursing care and parents who feel supported in the process of helping their child thrive.”

Read more about Christina

Christina received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from MS University for Women. She has experience in the areas of respiratory care, geriatrics, psych care and pediatrics. Initially, Christina joined PediCare as a nurse providing direct patient care. When an opening for a Nursing Supervisor became available, her exceptional care, reliability and dedication made her the obvious choice!
The other loves in her life are her husband, two sons and two dogs! She also enjoys crafting and antique shopping when she has a little free time.

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PediCare
307 East Government Street, Suite A, Brandon, MS 39042
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