What Happens After the NICU? Understanding Skilled Nursing at Home for Medically Complex Infants

From the NICU to Home: A New Chapter in Care

Leaving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is an emotional milestone. For many families, it's the moment they've been waiting for – the chance to bring their baby home. But for those caring for a medically complex infant, that transition also brings a new set of questions.

How will we manage feeding tubes or oxygen support? What happens if something goes wrong overnight? Will we be able to handle this on our own?

You're not alone – and you don't have to be. For families in this exact situation, Private Duty Nursing (PDN) offers skilled, in-home clinical support tailored to each child's needs. At Team Select Home Care, we specialize in pediatric PDN services that help families navigate life after the NICU with confidence, safety, and ongoing support.

Further reading: Discharge Planning and Home Care of the Technology-Dependent Infant

What Is Private Duty Nursing for Infants?

Private Duty Nursing (PDN) is a type of skilled nursing care delivered inside the home for patients who require continuous clinical oversight due to complex medical conditions. For NICU graduates, PDN bridges the gap between hospital care and home life by providing licensed nurses who are trained to support medically fragile infants in a home setting.

PDN nurses at Team Select assist with:

1. Monitoring vital signs and oxygen saturation
2. Managing tracheostomies and ventilators
3. Administering medications and IV therapies
4. G-tube or NG-tube feedings
5. Seizure monitoring and emergency protocols
6. Communicating with physicians and specialists
7. Educating and supporting the family throughout care

This care is typically delivered by an RN (Registered Nurse) or LPN/LVN (Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse) for extended shifts during the day or overnight – depending on the baby's condition and physician orders.

Why Skilled Nursing After the NICU Matters

The transition home can feel overwhelming – especially if your baby depends on life-sustaining equipment or frequent interventions. Skilled in-home nursing provides not only clinical expertise, but peace of mind.

Here's how PDN helps families thrive after NICU discharge:

1. Clinical Continuity: PDN ensures your child receives the same level of professional care they experienced in the hospital, without the stress of frequent readmissions.
2. Parental Support: Nurses work alongside parents, offering hands-on guidance and helping caregivers feel confident with medical routines.
3. Improved Quality of Life: With consistent, skilled care, many infants experience better developmental outcomes and increased stability at home.

Who Qualifies for PDN Services?

Eligibility for Private Duty Nursing depends on both medical need and payer criteria. Your baby may qualify for PDN if they:

1. Require skilled nursing tasks multiple times per day
2. Use a ventilator, oxygen, feeding tube, or similar device
3. Have a tracheostomy or need seizure monitoring
4. Need medication administration, complex wound care, or other physician-ordered tasks
5. Are covered under Medicaid, a Medicaid waiver, or private insurance plans that support skilled in-home care

At Team Select, our care coordinators assist families with understanding eligibility, gathering documentation, and navigating approvals – so you don't have to figure it out alone.

What Makes Team Select Different?

Team Select's approach to infant and pediatric care is rooted in personalization and long-term support. We understand how personal this journey is, and we treat it that way.

Here's what sets us apart:

1. Nurse Matching with Intention: Families meet with potential nurses before care begins. We don't assign randomly – we create intentional matches based on skillset, personality, and communication preferences.
2. Support Beyond the First Day: Once care begins, our local care teams check in consistently and remain involved throughout the relationship. You're never left to navigate care on your own.
3. Clinical Excellence + Compassion: Our nurses are highly trained in pediatric and neonatal care, and are supported by a team of clinical leaders available 24/7.

Where We Provide Care

Team Select Home Care offers pediatric PDN services in the following states:

1. Arizona
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Florida
5. Georgia
6. Illinois
7. Indiana
8. Massachusetts
9. Missouri
10. New Hampshire
11. North Carolina
12. Oregon
13. Pennsylvania
14. Texas
15. Washington

To verify availability or speak with a care coordinator in your area, visit our contact page or call your local branch office.

Getting Started is Simple

You don't need a referral to begin the conversation. Whether your child is currently in the NICU or already home, we're here to help guide your next step.

Connect with our local care team today and we'll walk you through eligibility, nurse matching, and what to expect from private duty nursing in your home.