just informed that mom wants me to drive her kids to school

Specialties Private Duty

Published

  1. would you do this to keep position

    • 0
      yes
    • 45
      no
    • 5
      depends
    • 10
      find new company to work for
    • 0
      other

60 members have participated

I have been on this case for 6 months. Finally there is another nurse to pick up extra hours .

Mom has decided she wants the nurses to drive her kids to school,. I am blown away. The new nurse called the agency and informed me that the agency said that that would be fine if we signed a waver. I just cannot believe that this sounds ok, Signing a waver so if we are in an accident is bad enough , but also being responsible for the families other child is over the top. The school bus stops in front of the clients home. agreed to get her up to catch the bus and nothing more, I love my kiddo but this seems over the top, I would like input please ,may need to turn in notice this week

Specializes in Delivering Quality Patient Care :).
I guess I was lucky when I did private duty through an agency. The only odd thing one client asked me to do was watch the Dialing for Dollars movies with her and then watch The Price is Right. She'd get mad if I didn't holler out the prices!

The Price Is Right part is too funny!!!! If I had been in your shoes, the client would have met her match because I can hang with the best of them when it comes to shouting out prices!!!!

What was wrong with the bus??

Specializes in Cardiac Care.

The other children do not have nursing services then they do not get care. You are not there as The Help for the mother, you are there in a professional capacity for the medical needs of the child. I have found that a lot of parents come to think nursing staff is some type of maid/housekeeper/babysitting service. I would not be driving the other kids anywhere, I wouldn't babysit for them, I wouldn't clean up after them. I am there for the one client that I am getting paid to take care of/ entertain during my working hours.

The agency has to have your back on this and simply state to the mother, " Sorry but due to the liability factors our Nurses will not be able to accommodate you on this PERIOD. " I'd find it interesting to see if they actually do find a Nurse that would actually agree. Somehow I'd expect not.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I would also be concerned that if I am there for another child that needs my medical attention. What happens if I am out driving the other kids and something happens to the one I am in charge of....you bet your bottom dollar that Mom would turn on you on a dime and your ARE liable for leaving the one you were hired for....unattended. I can't believe the nerve of people!! I did once get into an awkward situation...(early in my career)...my patient had to go to the hospital emergency (vent dependent myelomeningocele) and then flown to the major medical . I went to leave after cleaning up the mess in her room and I heard a baby cry......The Mom/family had forgotten the baby, at home:eek:. My agency paid me to stay there until family could retrieve the baby and told me in no way place that child in my car and assume that responsibility.

If it came between doing wha tthe parent wanted or finding another job....I'd start buffing up my resume.

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Don't sign the waiver. Don't drive the kids. Let the new nurse have the case.

A previous poster indicated that using your car for business purposes and transporting children (not your own and not a carpool) is probably not covered in your auto insurance policy.

If you have an accident with those kids in the car, you may not be covered. And even without an accident, if your auto insurance company finds out that you are using your car for purposes not covered in your policy, you may be dropped from coverage.

Not worth it.

Specializes in ER.

Don't sign the waiver. Insist that your company add the driving duty in writing, if they insist on having you do it. Send an email stating your concerns and save it.

I have to ask if you are out of your mind?! Listen to your inner nurse who is screaming "run away!". I do private duty and at my agency we do transport clients. This is a heavily contracted part of my job. Clients - CLIENTS- sign the contracts and waivers. They assume all responsibility financial or otherwise. Because it is part of my duties, I am covered by workers comp and released of liability for any injury or property damage. That being said, I never accept an assignment where I have to transport anyone. I just won't assume that liability! Don't risk your license. I know you adore your little one, but this job is not forever. Your employer should be ashamed to put you in such a position.

No, no no!!! No waiver, no kids in your car, not today, tomorrow, next week!!! NO!!!!

Your insurance co. would not be happy. Your agency is not looking out for you, that is for sure!!!

Yup, we are always told Never, Never do this.

The MAIN rationale I have always been told:...your pt is the one under your license. So how on earth can you give your UN-divided attention to her if you are driving a car? I gaurentee you..if something happens to the pt. while you are driving...you could lose your license..or even face criminal charges for negligence.

:( So sad the agency would even ASK you to do that. They will really try to get away with anything huh?

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

undoubtedly, you must realize that the responsibility of driving the kids to school doesn't end there. for example, if you're involved in an accident your responsibility doubles, i would decline the added assignment...good luck in all of your future endeavors...ciao~

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

No, no,no, a thousand no's!!!! There is nothing right about that! If something happens while you have the kids in the car not only can you have criminal charges if you are at fault, but the family can sue the pants off you! No in the world is going to cover that! The agency is so in the wrong. If they want a driver,tell them to hire a nanny!

Specializes in Correctional, QA, Geriatrics.

I wouldn't even agree to wake the other non patient child to catch the bus. Those children are the responsibility of the parents not the nurses. Those parents need to do their "job" and either wake their other kid(s) up to catch the bus or take them to school.

I am also chiming in on the never ever transport a client in your personal vehicle. I have been told by my insurance agent that no matter what waivers are signed in the eyes of the law in my state anything that happens while I am driving my car during work hours transporting a patient is ultimately my responsibility in terms of coverage, liability, etc. In addition if the patient is non verbal, has a trach, etc. how the heck are you going to monitor them and drive at the same time?

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