Print And Share

by miwachiru123

So, I went to the Free Clinic in my area this evening to volunteer, as I have been doing the past 3 months. They are always short on Nurses and need them to do Triage and Screening for the patients. Well, I usually don't smoke when I'm there because there are so many patients, but tonight I had had a stressful day and really had the urge to smoke. There were 3 other Nurses there to triage patients, so I left for about 10 minutes to go out to my car and have a quick smoke. I come back in, and the director tells me "Hey, can you do me a favor?" So I replied with

"Sure, what can I do for you?" and she says "Please don't smoke again on my clock". OH MY GOD!!!

So I replied back "Oh, I'm sorry... I thought I was volunteering my time here for free, but don't worry about it, I'll never be on your clock again."
And I packed up my stuff and left. I hate this, its rediculous. How can they treat people like this who are there to help for free?? There are no obligations at this place. All anyone needs to do is come in and say "I'll volunteer" I doubt they were even check to see if you were licensed.

What would you have if this were you?

[student456]

Re: What would you have done?

Wow that director sounds really mean!

Wouldn't you know if they check references if they hired you as a volunteer...didnt they check out your credentials before letting you triage?

I would have said the same thing...its not like you were doing anything illegal - it would be the same amount of time as going to the bathroom or going to the vending machine. And its not like your getting paid...your volunteering your free time to help out!

[miwachiru123]

Re: What would you have done?

No, they never checked my credentials. All I told them was that I was in Nursing School. Thank you so much for agreeing me. It just really ****** me off!! I can remember nights when I was there to triage 50 patients BY MYSELF. I was there from 4:30pm to 10pm. They're loss I guess.

[Batman24]

Re: What would you have done?

It's kind of scary that they aren't checking references and credentials of medical staff. Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

The woman was out of line. I bet she's the reason they are often short on nurses.

[suanna]

Re: What would you have done?

You did the right thing. I they want help, they need to learn to be a bit more appriciative, and a lot less dictarorial. Don't need the help- OK no skin off your nose.

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

Re: What would you have done?

They are always short on Nurses and need them to do Triage and Screening for the patients....

There were 3 other Nurses there to triage patients...

All anyone needs to do is come in and say "I'll volunteer" I doubt they were even check to see if you were licensed.

You mention their need for 'nurses, 'other' nurses, and that you doubt they check for license... then state you're in nursing school. Are you an LPN?

[TazziRN]

Re: What would you have done?

1. Are you a nurse or a nursing student? If you are not licensed you are not legally allowed to triage anybody, volunteer or paid.

2. While the director could have handled it better, I understand the feelings about the smoking......not that you smoke, but that you smoke in your car, which I doubt was in motion with the windows down. If you smoked in a stationary car even if the windows were wide open (which I doubt in January in VA), you more than likely reeked. Reeking of any scent, be it tobacco or perfume, is not a good thing when around sick people. That's one of the first things nursing schools teach.

Sorry.......while I commend you for volunteering for a worthy cause and agree that it could have been handled better, I'm on the director's side on this one.

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

Re: What would you have done?

I agree, tazzi. In his first post, the OP implies he is a nurse. If someone hadn't asked him about the clinic checking credentials, I'm betting that most of us would have continued to think he's a nurse. Unless he is an LPN, I have a problem with this (legalities regarding triage aside).

[jmgrn65]

Re: What would you have done?

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Goldstein

I agree, tazzi. In his first post, the OP implies he is a nurse. If someone hadn't asked him about the clinic checking credentials, I'm betting that most of us would have continued to think he's a nurse. Unless he is an LPN, I have a problem with this (legalities regarding triage aside).

He is only 19 per his info and a student so I doubt he is a LPN.

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

Re: What would you have done?

Originally Posted by jmgrn65

He is only 19 per his info and a student so I doubt he is a LPN.

I saw that; just giving him a bit of wiggle room