Nurses Needed

Clocking In At Home by Ellen Francisco

It's another early morning for Linda West Conforti, RN. Much like the many other mornings in her nursing career except this particular morning Linda isn't clocking in at the hospital. She is clocking in at home.

Certified as a Foster Parent for Medically Fragile children and an Independent Nurse Provider with the State of California, Linda's workday begins and ends in her own home; a comfortable setting for Linda and the medically fragile children in her care. This commute to work doesn't require paying the high cost of gas, the stress of a crowded morning freeway or the search for that elusive parking space. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July, birthdays and other special holidays are now celebrated with her family at home rather than in the hospital working a 12 hour shift.In the time she's been a Foster Parent, Linda has brought a number of micro preemie babies back to health.

These babies present special challenges because they are uncomfortable with touch and stimulation. Linda uses kangarooing cuddlers to help with the babies' bonding process and facilitate their sensory development. Linda has also provided care for children with heart defects who require specific monitoring and an educated eye toward potential problems. Then came Sammy - a 24 week micro preemie (18 ounces!) with hemangiomas (swollen blood tumors) both inside and outside of his body, and short bowel syndrome due to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (tissue death of parts of the bowels).The futures for these children were bleak until Linda removed them from Read more about Linda and why more nurses are needed Click Here