GAPP pediatric nursing services in Georgia

GAPP funds in-home skilled nursing for medically fragile children — RN and LPN care delivered at home instead of in a hospital. Here is what nursing covers, how hours get approved, and how to find a provider with capacity.

What GAPP nursing covers

GAPP skilled nursing — often called private duty nursing (PDN) — brings a licensed nurse into the home to provide medical care a child would otherwise receive in a hospital or facility. It is for children under 21 on Georgia Medicaid with complex, ongoing medical needs.

A physician orders the care and documents why it is medically necessary. Medicaid then authorizes a set number of nursing hours, and a GAPP agency staffs an RN or LPN to work those hours in your home.

Nursing is different from Personal Care Services. Nursing is medical and license-required; PCS is non-medical help with daily living. Many children are approved for both.

What a GAPP nurse does

The exact tasks depend on your child's condition and the physician's plan of care. Common skilled nursing tasks include:

  • Tracheostomy care and suctioning
  • Ventilator and respiratory management
  • G-tube and feeding pump management
  • Medication and injectable administration
  • Central line and IV care
  • Wound care and dressing changes
  • Vital sign monitoring and clinical assessment
  • Seizure monitoring and emergency response

RN vs. LPN under GAPP

Registered Nurse (RN)

RNs handle the most complex cases — full clinical assessment, care planning, and high-acuity procedures. They can supervise LPNs and adjust care within the physician's orders.

More on RN services →

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

LPNs deliver hands-on skilled care — trach care, tube feedings, medications, and monitoring — under the direction of an RN or physician. Many shift-based nursing hours are staffed by LPNs.

More on LPN services →

Who qualifies for GAPP nursing

Skilled nursing through GAPP is for children with genuine medical complexity. In general, a child needs:

  • To be under 21 and enrolled in Georgia Medicaid
  • A complex medical condition requiring skilled (not just personal) care
  • A physician's order documenting medical necessity
  • Care needs that would otherwise be met in a hospital or facility

Not sure where your child stands? Run the eligibility screener or read the GAPP approval guide.

How nursing hours are approved

The number of nursing hours your child receives is not a flat figure — it is set by a prior authorization based on documented medical need. A ventilator-dependent child may receive substantial shift-based hours; a child with lower-acuity needs receives fewer.

Staffing reality: Authorized hours and staffed hours are not always the same. Nursing labor is in short supply statewide, so it is common to be approved for more hours than a single agency can fill. Working with more than one agency, or asking about their current nurse availability, helps you get closer to full coverage.

Related resources

Pediatric home nursing in Georgia

The broader picture of in-home nursing for children.

GAPP services explained

Nursing, PCS, and respite — how the pieces fit together.

The Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP)

A full overview of how GAPP works for families.

Find a GAPP nursing provider

Search by county and filter for RN/LPN nursing.

GAPP nursing FAQs

What are GAPP pediatric nursing services?
GAPP pediatric nursing services are in-home skilled nursing visits provided to medically fragile children under 21 on Georgia Medicaid. A licensed RN or LPN delivers medical care at home — things like tracheostomy care, ventilator management, feeding tube care, and medication administration — under a physician's plan of care. It is also called private duty nursing (PDN) when it covers continuous, shift-based hours.
What is the difference between GAPP nursing and PCS?
Skilled nursing (RN or LPN) covers medical procedures that require a license: trach and vent care, IV and injectable medications, wound care, and clinical assessment. Personal Care Services (PCS) covers non-medical help like bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. A child can be authorized for both. Family members can usually be hired for PCS, but nursing hours must be filled by a licensed nurse.
Who qualifies for GAPP skilled nursing at home?
A child generally qualifies if they are under 21, enrolled in Georgia Medicaid, and have a complex medical condition that requires skilled nursing care that would otherwise be provided in a hospital or facility. A physician must order the care and document medical necessity. The amount of nursing hours is set by a prior authorization based on the child's needs.
How many nursing hours can a child get through GAPP?
There is no single fixed number. Authorized hours depend on the child's medical needs as documented by their physician and approved by Medicaid. Children with the highest needs — for example, ventilator-dependent children — can receive substantial shift-based private duty nursing hours, while others receive fewer. The prior authorization sets the weekly amount.
What does a GAPP home nurse actually do?
Depending on the child, a GAPP RN or LPN may perform tracheostomy care and suctioning, manage a ventilator, run tube feedings, administer medications and injectables, monitor vital signs, care for central lines or wounds, and document the child's status. They follow the physician's plan of care and coordinate with the family and care team.
How do I find a GAPP nursing provider near me?
Use our provider directory to search by county and filter for nursing (RN/LPN) services. Many agencies cover several counties. Call a few, confirm they have nursing capacity for your child's needs and hours, and request a callback. Nursing staffing is tighter than PCS, so contacting multiple agencies improves your odds of full coverage.

Find a GAPP nursing provider

Search agencies that provide in-home RN and LPN nursing in your county, and request a callback to confirm they can cover your child's authorized hours.

Find a ProviderCheck Eligibility

This directory is not affiliated with the State of Georgia or the official GAPP program. We help families find providers but are not a state agency.