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| No. 10 | 
Jul 12, 2009, 12:45 PM
 Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper!
I used to do private duty. Light housekeeping was always on our care plans, but I believe it was understood that it was part of the nurse's duties if the patient could not do it for themselves, and there was no one else living in the home who could do it either. I would wash dishes after preparing a meal for the patient, and once in a great while do laundry. But everyday household cleaning, never. You can say to the patient, "I am a nurse and here to support the medical plan of care. It is my goal to promote independence as much as possible." But you also have to be willing to leave the case if the patient/family keeps pushing inappropriate demands.
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Jul 12, 2009, 12:56 PM
Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper!
I am not sure why the "private care" companies would think that cleaning the bathroom should go into a care plan but that is why I got out of home care and really don't want to go back. I don't mind cleaning up after whatever occurs with the patient and I, but I am not cleaning up everything else. I used to have to vaccum the whole house when I was a tech. Somewhere along the way..a company set the precedent when they were hard up for clients.
But I can say, I am an LPN on a hospital, and we pretty much end up cleaning too. Our housekeepers are told that WE have to clean up the bulk of whatever hits the floor then call housekeeping just to disinfect...okay...mop with a mop that smells like a wet dog.
When I worked at walmart during nursing school...and lotion busted...I wasn't TOLD I had to clean up all the bulk, then call the cleaning crew....it spilled, I called, they came.
Clean up aisle 4! doesnt exist in nursing. you have to stop what you were doing, and clean it yourself.
| | No. 12 |
Jul 12, 2009, 04:37 PM
 Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper!
I have never been asked to clean before. In fact when I worked at a facility I asked for a bottle of disinfectant and was told that I am not to touch cleaning products while I am on duty. They did not want the nurses messing with cleaning product and then passing meds. I think cleaning the dishes I use and cleaning up messes when I get gtube feed on the counter or something is something that should just be an unsaid duty for all nurses but laundry!? When their are 3 adults living in the house and only one has a job! I already bathe, dress, fix his bed,fix his hair, feed him, brush his teeth, change his diaper, play with him all day.....so on. She can't wash his clothes!? Seriously! Is there no end to the things you can have put on a care plan for a nurse that you get for free in the first place? Idk, it seems like this is a normal thing in home health and I shoud just get over it but it really burns my a** that I HAVE to do these things now I am a total neat freak anyway and I would have done this just because I can't stand a mess. I feel like this was a big up yours from the consumers mother. I feel like I said that doing housework isn't a nurses job and she went out of her way to say "IT IS NOW! HAHAHAHA!" Grrr!
| | No. 14 |
Jul 12, 2009, 05:35 PM
Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper!
So , you went to school and you're sticking to this situation?! Who's fault is it? You're a professional or aren't you? Why did you go to school, if you can't be a leader and stand for what you believe in?! Stop this nonsense and turn this situation around! and allow yourself to be assertive! I just graduated and took NCLEX. BE A LEADER! Change your case or move on to another job agency! ERRR this irrates me when people complain and know it is completely wrong and still sit around and wonder if this is okay ?! Excuse me if I'm harsh, but girl! Stand up for your rights as a Professional nurse...I repeat....Professional Nurse!!!!!!!!!!!! geez!
| | No. 15 |
Jul 12, 2009, 08:47 PM
Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper! Originally Posted by emmanewgrad  So , you went to school and you're sticking to this situation?! Who's fault is it? You're a professional or aren't you? Why did you go to school, if you can't be a leader and stand for what you believe in?! Stop this nonsense and turn this situation around! and allow yourself to be assertive! I just graduated and took NCLEX. BE A LEADER! Change your case or move on to another job agency! ERRR this irrates me when people complain and know it is completely wrong and still sit around and wonder if this is okay ?! Excuse me if I'm harsh, but girl! Stand up for your rights as a Professional nurse...I repeat....Professional Nurse!!!!!!!!!!!! geez!
If you would have read everything I posted you would have seen that I have emailed the case manager about the situation. It isn't always as easy as you are making it sound. "Who's fault is it?" The care plan was changed 2 days ago and I am trying to fix the problem. What irritates me is people who like to go off about people complaining about their situation. I have news for you, you are going to be in lot of situations you are not going to like as a nurse and a lot of them you aren't going to be able to do anything about. Telling me to be a leader. I have been a nurse for 2 years and already self employed. I make my own hours and I pick my own cases. I will handle the situation. I just needed to vent and get some input. I was only saying that from what I am hearing this is part of being in home health and it is something I will have to deal with.
| | No. 16 |
Jul 12, 2009, 10:18 PM
Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper! Originally Posted by EpiattIPNurse If you would have read everything I posted you would have seen that I have emailed the case manager about the situation. It isn't always as easy as you are making it sound. "Who's fault is it?" The care plan was changed 2 days ago and I am trying to fix the problem. What irritates me is people who like to go off about people complaining about their situation. I have news for you, you are going to be in lot of situations you are not going to like as a nurse and a lot of them you aren't going to be able to do anything about. Telling me to be a leader. I have been a nurse for 2 years and already self employed. I make my own hours and I pick my own cases. I will handle the situation. I just needed to vent and get some input. I was only saying that from what I am hearing this is part of being in home health and it is something I will have to deal with.
I am with you and completely understand your situation, I have been there; although not necessarily as an RN, but other medical profession(s). Like I said, excuse me, but you mentioned you tried working things out and clients mother convinced your manager to make cleaning part of the care plan?! When does scrubbing walls come in to place when being a nurse...unless it's ER or some bloody situation. Many times maintenance gets called in to take care of that kind of situation. It just threw my mind off you know? Maybe this manager thinks that because some RN (s) follow through with cleaning necesities, every RN will. NOT ME! Unless it's an older client with perhaps an olderly wife, I would out of my heart and client love.
Indeed you have 2 yrs of nursing, but it is nothing to the world of diseases. It takes years of learning and knowledge and developing the skills to evolve within this nursing career, not 2 yrs; and certaintly being self employed does not make a difference when you can't assess a situation you have been put in as either right or wrong. The love within the nursing career indeed has to be especial, very especial; but how to actually be a nursing leader takes lots of learning and practice to be able to evolve. It won't be in 5, 10, 15 yrs because medicine evolves and therefore you have to keep yourself updated with knowledge and skills to succeed as a professional. We will never be at the same level since technology always evolves faster, ever so fast. Again, not trying to offend you, but reading your post about the situation you have come across hurts, you know? I really hope you work this out and if you aren't getting the response you desire, I hope you can find a case where you are not stepped on as a Nurse. I don't know how to put it, I am plain out using simple terms in trying to express my feelings without trying to offend you. Good luck!
| | No. 17 |
Aug 23, 2009, 04:26 PM
Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper!
I am a clean freak as well, but I don't think I will do it unless I mess it or to keep supplies organized in their proper place so it easier for me to get to. This was my question before I was hired. Will I be doing these type of things. He said, "no."
I don't plan on doing too many hours with this, so I hope I can hack it. This will be my first Private Nursing Job in the home.
Thanks for this thread.
| | No. 18 |
Aug 25, 2009, 05:24 PM
Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper!
I have since left that position and started with another client. Like I stated before, I do not mind helping around the house and I do. I have swept that floors, cleaned the kitchen, dusted and everything for this new client. Today the mother made this statement to me... "could you make sure you clean everything up before you leave. I had to pick up the towels you used for "Shelly's" bath yesterday. The other nurse knows that I do not have time to do these things. I just really need someone to help me out with these little things because I don't feel I should have to do it. It is part of your job."
Yesterday I gave my pt a bath and then right after I got her dressed her aunt wanted to take her to the park and we left. You can not leave the pt alone for even one second. I forgot by the time we returned to the home. I was really shocked that she would say something like this to me considering every morning her and her whole family mess the whole kitchen up and leave dishes all over including knifes and I clean it up without saying a word about it. I do not think that I am cut out for home health. I can't deal with these people always wanting more from me. I think I am a good person and try to go out of my way to lend a helping hand whenever needed. I am tired of everyone wanting more!  | | No. 19 |
Aug 26, 2009, 02:27 AM
Re: I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper! Originally Posted by EpiattIPNurse I have since left that position and started with another client. Like I stated before, I do not mind helping around the house and I do. I have swept that floors, cleaned the kitchen, dusted and everything for this new client. Today the mother made this statement to me... "could you make sure you clean everything up before you leave. I had to pick up the towels you used for "Shelly's" bath yesterday. The other nurse knows that I do not have time to do these things. I just really need someone to help me out with these little things because I don't feel I should have to do it. It is part of your job."
Yesterday I gave my pt a bath and then right after I got her dressed her aunt wanted to take her to the park and we left. You can not leave the pt alone for even one second. I forgot by the time we returned to the home. I was really shocked that she would say something like this to me considering every morning her and her whole family mess the whole kitchen up and leave dishes all over including knifes and I clean it up without saying a word about it. I do not think that I am cut out for home health. I can't deal with these people always wanting more from me. I think I am a good person and try to go out of my way to lend a helping hand whenever needed. I am tired of everyone wanting more!
Set your foot on the floor, tell them you have other patients that need your medical attention. You are not their house cleaner! Just say no, it's not part of your job. ~be assertive~good luck.  I've been thinking of you, I graduated and did pass NCLEX! I'm working as a RN in northern CA. Remember mental health and use reverse psychology in these cases, outsmart people who think you are supposed to clean their homes.
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