Shortage of in-home nurses leaves kids waiting in hospital beds. ‘The entire system is feeling the pressure.’

Ricardo Ruiz could have left the hospital two months ago. Instead, the toddler waited while his family searched for a nurse who could help care for him at home.

Ricky, as his parents call him, was born prematurely at 27 weeks with underdeveloped lungs. The 15-month-old has a tracheostomy tube in his neck connected to a ventilator that helps him breathe. He needs 24-hour-a-day, specialized care, which is why his family hoped to find an in-home nurse.

But after two months of searching without success, the Ruizes decided to take their son home and do their best, on their own.

Ricky’s parents are now caring for him in five or six-hour shifts, switching off throughout the day so his dad can go to work, and so they can take turns sleeping. Someone must be awake and watching Ricky at all times. They took classes on how to care for him and use his equipment.

“Hopefully in the next