Questions for Private Duty Nursing agency: 

• Are there any nurses in the XYZ(your town) area currently (available or not)?

• Any of the above have trach/vent experience?

• What recruiting tactics do you use? 

• How many nurses are covered under each supervisor? (case load matters)

• How do you confirm monthly schedules with families and with nurses?

• What supplies do you provide (gloves, soap, hand sanitizer, etc) 

• Do you offer sign on bonuses to nurses (especially ones families find and bring to the agency)

• What is the nurse onboarding process  and how long does it take start to finish?

Questions for nurses:

• Have you worked with a pediatric trach/vent patient previously? 

• What type of home environment do you prefer (hands-on family or working independently)?

• Have you done an emergency trach change?

• Do you have experience bagging pediatric patients?

• How long were you with your prior patients? 

• Without violating any privacy laws, can you tell me why you left your previous case? 

• What additional emergency supplies or equipment would you like to see in the home (ex: generator, emergency battery, meds station, code button)?

• How do you prefer to receive feedback (immediately in the moment or at end of shift)?

• Are you comfortable attending medical appointments (or not attending if you just want family attending)? 

Also be clear with your requirements so your agency is screening based on your comfort level and family needs. For example a set of requirements may look like:

• RN or LPN licensed

• Pediatric CPR certified (BLS and PAL or NRP preferred)

• Hands-on trach experienced (neonatal or pediatric preferred)

• Vaccinated

• Excited by the opportunity to work with a very happy and active infant