Expectations for traveling with a patient??

[Shimmer580]

I've been searching the forums and only found one similar question about this So I'm starting my own thread...I am a Home Health Nurse. M-F 7-3 with a pediatric trach and vent 1 year old. I was recently asked by my patients mother to join them on their 4 day beach vacation in a month because they needed a nurse for their baby.

I accepted but I've been thinking about it more in depth and realized it may not be worth it for me to go after all. My agency has told me they would only pay me for 8 hours a day. The patient gets 16 hours a day of nursing but the family does not want to take the night nurse, they only want one nurse with them.

They are renting a beach house and their plan is to have me sleep in one of the guest bedrooms with their teenage daughter. As for expectations: They said they would want me to work during the day or evening depending on their plans for the day, they would care for the baby during the night (overnight) and I am responsible for my own meals and entertainment.

They said I would be allowed to leave and do my own thing as well. My concerns: working with this family, I know the mom will take advantage of the fact that I am there and expect me to be on call every and anytime they need me, (which I dont mind seeing how this is still work and not a pleasure trip) but I know I will be working anytime I am with them so 24/7.

If I am with them at all, the parents will expect me to be caring for the child. So I will be working non stop with an occasional hour break here or there possibly and since I will be in the same house as them, I will not be able to say for example, "No, I'm sorry, I cannot watch the baby while you go to dinner because I already did my 8 hours this morning." I know I will get attitude and resentment for declining. I am the only nurse the family trusts to come along so I feel guilty but I don't want to give up 4 days of my time for only 8 hours a day pay and the set up I explained. I'm not willing to pay for my own hotel as I am going for their benefit, not my own.

Trach and vent babies wouldn't be going anywhere near the beach for obvious safety reasons. So I would end up having to put aside extra money for meals and such, find a sitter for my dog (can't leave her alone for 4 days and have no family near by to leave her with) and all to be at someone's beck and call for 4 whole days?? It sounds like a bad idea now.

Anyone else do this already or have insight for me? It seems as though the only ones benefitting from this would be the parents because on a business/nursing aspect, I don't feel there is any incentive for me to go. Yes I would be going on vacation with them but keep in mind, it's not my vacation- its still businness/work, I will be sharing a room with their daughter (not the client), and I would not be compensated for more than 8 hours a day even though I would be working all day and evening I'm sure.

[Shimmer580]

Thank you all for your responses!

I agree with what you guys said and I spoke up. I told my office that I wouldn't be willing to work that vacation as it was no benefit to me. Now they are giving me three days off (but paid) before the vacation, bonuses for going, and will pay me for all the time I work up to the max 16 hours a day and they will reimburse me for all meals. So it worked out wonderfully! I just need to speak up in the future. I may not get my own room but I will be well compensated for my time as a medical professional which is what I wanted.

Now I have to figure out what I will pack!

Thanks so much everyone!!! You guys are the best!!

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Just make sure you ONLY work 16 hours and NOT the full 24 hours. :)

[sarah1014]

Has the family asked you to go on another vacation? It sounds like your agency really stepped up. My agency would never do that. I went for 5 days, worked 4 12 hr shifts and had to sign an contract that I was getting paid no overtime. Not sure that's even legal!

[Shimmer580]

They haven't gone on anymore vacations and have switched to another one of our offices due to their address. But I agree, my agency really stepped up. It took lots of negotiation though and I stated I would not go if I wasn't paid for my time. We are doing these families and agency a huge favor bc we are leaving our homes And lives to be practically on call for a vacation thats not our ownso we deserve to be paid just like any other working professional for our services. Be willing to say "No." because

[Shimmer580]

They haven't gone on anymore vacations and have switched to another one of our offices due to their address. But I agree, my agency really stepped up. It took lots of negotiation though and I stated I would not go if I wasn't paid for my time. We are doing these families and agency a huge favor bc we are leaving our homes And lives to be practically on call for a vacation thats not our own so we deserve to be paid just like any other working professional for our services. Be willing to say "No." because otherwise you will be doing lots of work for free .... :)

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

My client's family has a camper, and they like to go camping in the summer. That means driving to a campground for my shifts. I like it, and it's not a long drive, but other nurses have refused.

In you case, it sounds like you're being asked to be a live-in nurse for 4 days. In that case, you need to be paid as a live-in for that entire time. Your agency really stepped for you. My agency would've staffed the case with a local nurse; I've opened cases for clients from New York City who are vacationing in my area.