A new puppy!!

Published

My ct recently got a teacup-style puppy! I'm not a dog person normally but I can handle a kitten-sized puppy, it's been a lot of fun and very therapeutic for my ct. Since she's an adult now and lives in an in-law apt on her own that adjoins the family home, the care of the pet falls mostly to me. It's part of her daily ADLs. I don't mind; it's quite easy. However I'm thinking the care of a therapy animal should be included in the 485, lest there comes a nurse who thinks feeding a dog and picking up poo for the ct's pet is not her job. Do any of you care for any pets? Is it in the 485?

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

There is NO WAY I would take care of that puppy after surgery and I am a HUGE dog (animal) fan (not that anyone noticed....LOL). I would NEVER take in that responsibility and be sued when something goes wrong. I KNOW my malpractice doesn't cover vet care.

The family was taking advantage of the situation and I am glad your agency is standing behind you but they also need to make it clear what the limitations are for nursing care.

You betcha that the patient/patients family will toss you under the bus in a heartbeat....and yes many teacup pets are ankle biters.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
There is NO WAY I would take care of that puppy after surgery and I am a HUGE dog (animal) fan (not that anyone noticed....LOL). I would NEVER take in that responsibility and be sued when something goes wrong. I KNOW my malpractice doesn't cover vet care.

The family was taking advantage of the situation and I am glad your agency is standing behind you but they also need to make it clear what the limitations are for nursing care.

You betcha that the patient/patients family will toss you under the bus in a heartbeat....and yes many teacup pets are ankle biters.

I echo what Esme said. I am a HUGE animal lover but if it did not state in the 485 to help with the pet then I am not required to & it is not in my job description.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

I'm feeling low about this anyway because it happened the day after Christmas and we did spend this month as if I was actually going to be getting all my paychecks. It's also embarrassing to be "suspended", no matter how "right" I am. I know I did the right thing and I'd do it again, but when I lamented to my husband that "maybe I should have just sucked it up and did it" he vehemently assured me that he was glad I drew my line and stood up for myself, and it's worth the financial hit to drive that message home.

Also I was very excited to have New Year's Eve off this year for the first time in several years, but since extra shifts w my agency were scarce, I had no choice but to pick up tomorrow night. :(

Don't mind me, I've allowed myself a few days to feel sorry for myself and vent before dusting myself off and moving on. I'll get over it and be stronger for it later. Thanks for indulging me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I'm feeling low about this anyway because it happened the day after Christmas and we did spend this month as if I was actually going to be getting all my paychecks. It's also embarrassing to be "suspended", no matter how "right" I am. I know I did the right thing and I'd do it again, but when I lamented to my husband that "maybe I should have just sucked it up and did it" he vehemently assured me that he was glad I drew my line and stood up for myself, and it's worth the financial hit to drive that message home.

Also I was very excited to have New Year's Eve off this year for the first time in several years, but since extra shifts w my agency were scarce, I had no choice but to pick up tomorrow night. :(

Don't mind me, I've allowed myself a few days to feel sorry for myself and vent before dusting myself off and moving on. I'll get over it and be stronger for it later. Thanks for indulging me.

Who suspended you? The client?

I would take no shame on your back. Your hubby is right...lets say you sucked up and cared for that dog....and something happened to the dog....they sued. You would be left holding the bag for not even could protect you.

It sucks what they did....shame on them for being so selfish and thoughtless....but you did the right thing. ((HUGS))

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.
Who suspended you? The client?

Yeah, that's what I meant, the client. I'm still in good standing w my employer fortunately.

One more thing, last month she had a friend visit from out of town. The friend dropped one of her Prozac and the dog promptly ate it (I saw her play with what I thought was a tic tac and before I could get it away from her... gulp!) they took the dog to the vet and incurred hundreds of dollars in bills. In the days that followed, both mom and client vented to me how they were upset that the visiting friend didn't even offer to help pay for the vet bills. Mind you, this family is comfortable, and visiting friend is a starving college student w no job. It was this event that made me extra afraid to take the risk of being responsible for possible chewed-out staples. I know they'd want me to pay for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.

When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. You did, and probably saved yourself a world of hurt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This thread is very educational . . . to me as an animal lover -- eek.

Hey, the way this worked out is all about the family, not you. The lengths people will go to to avoid something unpleasant is out of our control. It sucks that you miss out on the $$$ so soon after Christmas.

It goes to show that what HAPPENS when you advocate for yourself is beyond your control and not your fault, or something. You were protecting the annoying little critter's health, for gosh sakes. You couldn't do that AND patient care at the same time. That they even expected it is about their poor boundaries, rather than your willingness to tolerate the puppy in the first place.

I don't normally get worked up about going a step or two beyond my 'normal' job description. But I can see how in this environment, consequences can be unpredictable. No good deed goes unpunished!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was supposed to start with a new client at the beginning of December and they decided they didn't need a nurse until after the holidays. Think I haven't decided that their cavalier attitude toward my livelihood before I have even met them isn't an example of things to come? Any time they don't feel like putting up with a nurse I will be told to stay home? I will be looking for a different client before I allow them to show me such disrespect. You should make a strong effort to find another case, with another agency, if necessary. If you don't, they will remember how easy it was to keep you from your earned pay this Christmas. And your agency will oblige them, time after time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.

I have rarely heard of an instance of a PDN doing "a little extra" that didn't end like this. Once they see you will do the little extra, they will expect more and more. Then when you put your foot down, they throw you under the bus. That is why it is so important to keep boundaries and remember that you are NOT part of the family no matter how long you have worked with your pt. It sucks that this is a frequent consequence of doing a little extra to help out from time to time.

Sorry it happened to you and hope that it all works out for you. Keep us posted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion