I'm Back have new client?????

[danursern]

I quit the one case a couple months ago after one day on the job. I took sometime off to assess my life. Since my company is agency home health I remain employed, just inactive status when not working.

Well, I went on Friday to oriented for 2 hours (all this ageny pays for) with a new client I am scared again this client is ALS, and has a Vent and needs suctioning quiet frequently. Tomorrow I go for 10 hours but her husband will be there to help me with lifting and answer questions. They ask me to take the case which is 4 evenings a week 6pm to 12pm. I love the hours, the house is extremely clean and in a nice neighborhood. Once again I have little to no understanding where Vents are concerned. So am I to keep turning down cases that will work for me because no one has time to go over the Vent thoroughly? The Vent is self sufficient meaning it runs itself, but I feel inadequate. Any advice?

[suzanne4, RN]

Stomas of trachs can collapse, that is why you need t know how to reinsert the cannula. Trying to bag and the airway is closed will not help you at all. That is why 911 is not a viable option, unless they are next door to the home.

Sorry but not one of us are going to tell you that it is okay for what you want to do. We are in complete agreement that you have no business taking on a job like this, unless you never want to work as a nurse again.

[prmenrs, RN]

Every poster has responded similarly: Turn down the case. Take cases for which your skills are compatible. If you want to take vent cases, get adequately trained. Surely the]re are home health cases you can take that do not involve a ventilator. That are "in a nice clean house, in a nice neighborhood". We can't tell you how to take care of a vent pt., we can only tell you NOT to take them.