I'm being asked to perform nursing duties in a non-nursing role

Nurses General Nursing

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I am employed full-time in a non-nursing role, but I also work in a nursing role on the weekends -- these roles are for two separate employers/corporations. Recently my employer (at my non-nursing job) asked me to do him a "favor" and take care of his adult daughter after she has elective cosmetic surgery. This would be during the work-week and I would be expected to come to their home and provide nursing services. I do not want to take on his daughter as a patient and I have declined the request. It crosses too many boundaries for me, and I am not comfortable with the situation. I referred them to Private Nursing & Homecare Agencies, but they repeatedly keep asking me.

Prior to this, his daughter approached me and asked me a couple of times but I declined each time. The last time she asked me, I replied that this would be considered an independent "freelance" nursing job, there would be a contract we would both be required to sign, and that I would expect to be paid for my nursing skills... to this she stated: "as my friend, can't you do this as a favor to me?" I've made it clear that I DO NOT do "under the table" nursing work and that this would be treated like any other type of nursing employment. The following week, her dad/ my boss approached me to ask me the same question. I feel like I am being pressured, manipulated, and it's making me extremely uncomfortable to go to work everyday. I hate that I was even put in this position in the first place. I have already contacted my regulatory College, but I am not comfortable posting their advice on here.

I would like to hear from other nurses... Your thoughts? Opinions? Advice? Also, if any of you have even been put in a situation like this before, how did you handle it?

Thanks!

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You will still be legally responsible for your nursing practice with this patient, so if they are not going to pay you in accordance with a valid private duty contract, I would decline to provide the services. And I would most likely start looking for different employment.

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This strikes me as a "No, no, no way" situation. I can see all kinds of legal, personal, and employment issues that could arise from this. The fact that they want it "as a favor" and not contracted services makes me immediately know it's a bad idea. Don't back down or cave in...I believe you were right to say no, and I think it's pretty crummy of them to keep pressuring you.

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Say yes and include an outrageous cost per hour, say $180 / hour . I bet they go away.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Continue to decline the request and explain to your employer that you are held accountable by the College for all nursing services provided.

There are many private home care companies out there.

The fact that they keep asking and refuse to sign a contract is an absolute no.

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I have had further communications with my professional association and regulatory college... Long story short, this arrangement (as I, and everyone who commented here was already aware/suspected) is not permitted and would put my nursing license in jeopardy. Both organisations gave me some very sage advice to help me address the situation. Thank you to everyone who commented here. I really appreciate it :)

I just feel so much better having my professional association and regulatory college confirm all the things I knew were wrong with this situation, and provide on-going assistance.

I just can't help but continue to be confounded by the (repeated) request, and the fact that anyone would make this kind of request... to feel like it's perfectly normal to push ethical limits/boundaries in the first place. SMH.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I have had further communications with my professional association and regulatory college... Long story short, this arrangement (as I, and everyone who commented here was already aware/suspected) is not permitted and would put my nursing license in jeopardy. Both organisations gave me some very sage advice to help me address the situation. Thank you to everyone who commented here. I really appreciate it

I just feel so much better having my professional association and regulatory college confirm all the things I knew were wrong with this situation, and provide on-going assistance.

I just can't help but continue to be confounded by the (repeated) request, and the fact that anyone would make this kind of request... to feel like it's perfectly normal to push ethical limits/boundaries in the first place. SMH.

I would love to know what advice you were given to help address the situation. Can you share it?

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