Pediatric private duty nursing (PDN), explained.

What is pediatric private duty nursing?

Pediatric private duty nursing (often shortened to PDN) is skilled, one-on-one nursing care provided by a licensed RN or LPN in your child's home. Instead of a short visit, a private duty nurse stays for an extended shift — commonly 8 to 12 hours, and sometimes around the clock — to provide the continuous care a medically complex child needs.

PDN is a form of pediatric home health care, but it's different from intermittent home health visits. A visiting nurse may stop by for an hour to check a wound or draw labs. A private duty nurse is there for the whole shift: monitoring, suctioning, managing feeds and medications, and responding immediately if something changes.

Who is PDN for?

Private duty nursing is designed for infants, children, and young adults (typically up to age 21) whose medical needs require ongoing skilled nursing judgment. Children who receive PDN often have:

• A tracheostomy or ventilator requiring airway management and respiratory monitoring
• G-tube or J-tube feeding and complex medication schedules
• Seizure disorders that need close observation and rescue medication
• Genetic conditions, congenital heart defects, or cerebral palsy with complex daily care needs
• A recent NICU or PICU stay and a care plan that continues at home

See our Who We Serve page for more on the conditions our nurses support.

What does a private duty nurse do?

Your child's nurse follows a care plan ordered by their physician. Depending on your child's needs, that can include trach care and suctioning, ventilator monitoring, tube feedings and pump management, medication administration, seizure monitoring, vital signs, and communicating changes to your family and medical team. Just as importantly, PDN gives parents the ability to sleep, work, and care for siblings — knowing a skilled nurse is with their child.

How is pediatric PDN paid for in Idaho?

For many families, pediatric private duty nursing is covered through Idaho Medicaid for children who meet medical necessity criteria. Coverage and approved hours depend on your child's specific needs and physician orders. Self-pay is also an option. Joy Care Unit accepts Idaho Medicaid and self-pay arrangements, and we're happy to walk you through the process — see our FAQ for more.

How to get started with PDN in the Treasure Valley

• Talk with your child's care team. Your pediatrician, specialist, or hospital discharge planner can help determine whether PDN is right for your child.
• Request a meeting with us. We'll learn about your child, your family, and your schedule in a free 30-minute conversation.
• Meet your nurse. We match nurses to families based on clinical experience and personality — and every family meets their nurse before care begins.