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 Public Health, DEI.

What are you signing a waiver for? That you won't sue if you're in an accident? Legally speaking, I'd think you'd still be entitled to workmen's compensation, as it would happen on work time. Or are you signing that you'll take responsibility for an accident and not hold the agency liable? You can't release the agency's liability for what happens while you're on their clock! Also, are you meant to drive your own car? Too many questions for me to decide whether this is request is as off the wall as you.

Specializes in Peds Homecare.

I have been doing agency high tech peds homecare for 20 years or more. I am not allowed to transport my patient in my car ever. I would go to the office and discuss this with the higher ups. If you are leaving your patient and the agency is billing for your time while you are gone, it is fraud, not just on their part, but yours also. Don't ever agree to that.:nono:

Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

This used to be ok a few years ago. I worked for a national agency that had their own waivers for the parents to sign. I also had my own made up to cover me. I made sure both parents signed it so that one who didn't sign couldn't sue if anything went wrong.

However, if the child is medicare/medicaid there are new rules about transporting a patient. The new rules say (I don't remember the exact wording) that you can't be caring for the patient and transporting the patient at the same time. Basically saying its impossible to do both at the same time.

I would talk to the case manager and ask her what your options are. If you aren't happy, move up the chain of command. After that your only option would be to leave the case/company or do what they are asking and take a HUGE risk. You could also ask for another case without the complaints, which might look better on you.

As for those talking about the fact that we aren't responsible for the siblings....it happens every day. Unfortunately the agencies will look the other way to keep the parent happy, while they put your license on the line. And because of those nurses who think they are going above and beyond to help with the other siblings, we look like the bad guys when we refuse. And guess who wins...."supernurse". Until the agencies choose to grow a backbone and stand up to these parents and give them rules.....this same kind of crap will continue to happen. Instead of talking with the parents and explaining how it all works when they first accept the patient, the agencies choose to let a problem happen and then address it. The only thing the agencies do is tell the families what rules they want the family to follow to protect the agency...not the nurses. But the agencies are afraid of the families because they know the families have options.

Good luck!

My agency has an actual clause in the employee handbook "No supernurse behavior" lol.

Don't your agencies give a list of things the nurses can and can not do to the parents? We knew that our nurses could NOT drive us or our children in their cars. Nurses could not drive our cars. We could transport nurses when they were on the clock (going places, to appointments, etc.). They could not watch our other children. And we wouldn't want them too! If they were watching my toddler and he fell and was bleeding profusely how is the nurse supposed to take care of his bleeding and then suction my rapidly-desatting child that she is actually being paid to take care of??

If you had an accident while transporting these kids, you lose all around. Your insurance carrier won't cover you, the agency won't back you and if you're hurt and can't work, the agency will fight to make sure you don't get unemployment.

Depends on the Agency Ventmommy...and ultimately the leadership. I left my first agency due to things like this going on...(nurses giving the parents hundreds of dollars..parents visiting the nurses home ect:redlight: and I felt that put me at too much risk..If the office allowed that to go on...then it's just a matter of time before something TRULY scary would happen.My new agency is MUCH better (not perfect). They support us with rules to keep Everyone safe...baby included. Yes, everyone at admission is supposed to have to sign an agreement that outlines what we will and will not do. The scary thing is their are CERTAINLY...alot of both parents and nurses that do not have a good understanding of what is ok and what is not...and alot of 'follow the leader' behavior...as in "Well, I saw Sally do 'X' so it must me ok..or Nurse Ryder told me I can do this so it is fine....I was at one place that the mom had a big list of tasks for us every-night, including scrubbing the room..walls and all surfaces top to bottom...and the office told her sure, no prob, we will do that...And I used to think..."Well that's great but how much attention am I giving your child if I am tied up all night with these tasks... We love Mommy's that put the child's health and safety FIRST and allow is do what it is we are supposed to be doing...and don't ask for Crazy requests that put my license at risk :banghead::D.

Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.
My agency has an actual clause in the employee handbook "No supernurse behavior" lol.

love it

please check cape at the time clock

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I'm facing a similar situation. I've picked up a cognitively intact client with severe CP who owns a van. The client can't drive the van, but they can get in and out. Other nurses have been driving the client to appointments, visits with friends, and other places. I was surprised when I found out; I was told from day 1 that we don't transport clients. If I'm going to be with this client long-term, I may have to drive them around.

The agency has a release form to absolve the nurse of liability if anything happens, but I wonder. I'm not crazy about minivans (I drive a compact), and despite the waiver, I still wonder about liability.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Contact your auto insurance company for information about potential liability as the driver of a third party's car. Who's name is the patient's car & insurance in? In my state, no valid driver's license = not entitled to own a vehicle or obtain auto insurance. If you are physically disabled you are issued a non-driver's license and are entitled to a permanent disabled parking permit. Even minor children can obtain disabled parking permits. For those without people to drive them, Medicaid pays for transportation services for the patient and their nurse.

I'd have an attorney review the release, worth the consultation fee as it may not hold up in the event of an accident. How on earth can you monitor/assess a patient if you are driving?!?

I'm facing a similar situation. I've picked up a cognitively intact client with severe CP who owns a van. The client can't drive the van, but they can get in and out. Other nurses have been driving the client to appointments, visits with friends, and other places. I was surprised when I found out; I was told from day 1 that we don't transport clients. If I'm going to be with this client long-term, I may have to drive them around.

The agency has a release form to absolve the nurse of liability if anything happens, but I wonder. I'm not crazy about minivans (I drive a compact), and despite the waiver, I still wonder about liability.

If you don't want to do this, then move on to another case. No one can force you to drive the patient around. Just find a case where driving is not expected.

I never allowed the nurses to watch the other children. What if one of them was choking and at the same time my son needed emergency suctioning or was turning blue?

Even if the agency gives you a liability waiver, your insurance company may not cover you since you are using the vehicle for work.

If this is an otherwise "normal" mom, can you just talk to her and explain the danger of watching the other kid and how if you are driving, you would be unable to assess, monitor and provide treatment for your actual patient? Maybe she will see the light.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

too much liability and really, is that your job???? You are not a servant and hopefully, your agency will not perpetuate that notion.

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