If you’re a hospital nurse, you already know the demands of bedside care—long shifts, fast pace, high acuity, and emotional intensity. But what if you could balance that with a side job that’s slower, more flexible, deeply meaningful, and truly transformative for a family?
For medically complex families, even small increases in nursing care coverage can change everything.
The July/August issue of Home Healthcare Now published findings from the article “The Impact of the Lack of Access to Home Health Nursing on Families of Children with Medical Complexity in the United States”, revealing that:
✨ +4 hrs/week: 19.8% of families said it would be life-changing
✨ +20 hrs/week: 41.4% of families said it would be life-changing
✨ +40 hrs/week: 66.2% of families said it would be life-changing
One extra shift a month can make a difference. Imagine what a few more could do. 💗
Pediatric home health is quickly becoming one of the most popular part-time options for bedside nurses—and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or reconnect with the heart of nursing, here’s why it’s the ideal side gig.
⏰ 1. Flexible Scheduling That Works Around Your Primary Job
Most home health agencies offer:
Day or night shifts to fit your days off
Part-time or PRN roles, often with no minimum hour requirements
Short or long shifts, depending on your preferences
The ability to pick up extra hours as needed without committing to full-time
💬 “I work two hospital shifts a week and fill in one home health shift. It gives me variety—and balance.”
🧒 2. Build Long-Term Relationships With Just One Patient
Unlike the revolving door of inpatient care, pediatric home health allows you to:
Care for one child consistently
Form real connections with both the patient and family
Watch your patient progress and grow over time
Experience nursing that’s relational, not just task-based
💡 Part-time doesn’t mean less impact. In home health, even one shift a week can make a lasting difference.
🏡 3. Stay Close to Home—Literally
Tired of commuting across town or navigating hospital parking garages? Use the Connection Hub on HelloNurze.com to find local cases and families searching for pediatric home health nurses.
This means:
Less time driving
More time at home or with your own family
The ability to work in your community—not just your unit
📍 It’s one of the few nursing roles that actually respects your location and lifestyle.
🧘♀️ 4. Lower Stress and Slower Pace
If you’re craving a break from the chaos of call bells and rapid-fire assessments, home health gives you:
A calmer, quieter care setting
Time to focus on care, not just multitasking
No floating and no surprise admits
A chance to breathe—and still use your clinical skills
🧠 Your hospital job keeps you sharp. This keeps you grounded.
💸 5. Extra Income Without Extra Burnout
Supplement your income with shifts that:
Are physically and emotionally less demanding
Offer competitive pay, especially for high-acuity pediatric cases (tip: negotiate your hourly rate with your agency and ask about sign-on bonuses—the home health nursing shortage means YOU are in high demand)
Don’t compromise your energy for your full-time role
Can be scheduled around PTO or slower unit weeks
💵 Instead of picking up a third hospital shift, pick up a home health shift—and come home without aching feet.
🧑⚕️ 6. Expand Your Skill Set
Pediatric home health isn’t “soft care”—it can include:
Ventilator management
G-tube and trach care
Seizure and emergency response
Independent decision-making with agency support
Whether you want to build pediatric experience or simply learn something new, home health offers a safe, supportive space to grow.
🎯 You’re not losing your edge—you’re sharpening it in a new environment.
🌟 Final Thought: A Perfect Pairing for the Modern Nurse
Hospital bedside keeps you sharp. Pediatric home health keeps you grounded.
Together, they offer the best of both worlds: high-impact care and high-quality balance.
If you’re looking for a side gig that respects your time, supports your values, and reminds you why you became a nurse in the first place—this is it.
💬 Already balancing both? Share your experience with @HelloNurze and help another nurse make the switch.
*Source: Knight, Kathryn BBA; Knight, Gary BS; Jordan, Brian K. MD, PhD. The Impact of the Lack of Access to Home Health Nursing on Families of Children with Medical Complexity in the United States. Home Healthcare Now 43(4):p 213-220, July/August 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/NHH.0000000000001356