Advice needed (sorry so long lol)

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Specializes in Pediatrics and geriatrics.

I am an LPN in a LTC for disabled kids. On an regular night, we have 6 nurses for the building. That includes a charge nurse who has an assignment :(.

One night last week I got an phone call from my daughter who was 33 weeks pregnant. She thought that she was leaking amniotic fluid. After asking her some questions, I told her to call her dr. I then went right to my charge nurse and told her what was going on, and that I needed to leave to get her to the hospital. The charge nurse told me "No you can not leave" I was floored. That night we happened to have a nurse with a new orientee, and an agency nurse and me on that one unit. Thankfully the regular nurse took my half of the assignment (12 kids) and the agency took her half. I gave her report, and counted and left to take my child to the hospital.

We spent 5 hours at the hosp, she was not leaking amniotic fluid, but was having contractions. They gave 3 shots of turbutline which worked, and told her to get to her dr the next morning. I called work updated them and called out for my shift ( i gave them 5 hrs notice). We get to the dr, and yep she is 2 cm dialated and 50% effaced. The dr put her on modified bedrest, took her off of work until delivery. That afternoon she started having contractions again, and I took her to the hosp and they admitted her overnight. She got 4 doses of Procardia to try to stop the contractions and received steroid shots to mature the babys lungs.

My question is this: can they do this to me? This is an emergency situation, I am not making this stuff up. I have all of the paperwork and drs notes for my child to prove what happened. I spoke with my boss and suggested to have at least an extra nurse in the building just in case I have to leave again midshift. I can not control when my future grandson will make his appearance!!

Thanks,

Nice Nurse LPN

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Yes they can. Sorry. If the Charge told you that you could not go (did I get that right?) and you arranged for yourself to go against management, you could even be fired.

Thing is, babies come all the time. Your daughter needs to make her own "emergency" backup plans that don't include you when you are working. You know this. Unfortunately we don't have the type of jobs where we can leave like other people do. Would be great if your charge was able to find someone to come in for you, but you know that easily might not work out.

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

Onaclearday is correct, they can and very well might take disciplinary action against you. My daughter is also pregnant and I hope (and am praying) I'll be off for the baby's debut but I am not counting on it. It is not clear why this is falling on you unless your daughter is young/single/living with you. Where is the baby's dad? Can another family member be your daughter's back up an older sister, aunt or friend? You need to get a emergency plan in place now. I wish you all good luck and blessings on your new arrival.

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An extra Nurse on, in case you have to leave? Wow, that probably won't happen.

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Specializes in FNP.

I'm afraid I have to agree with OneClear. If you go to work and accept an assignment, you are obligated to stay the length of your shift. My mother had a brainstem stroke and presented to my ED while I was working in the CCU. She had to be airlifted to a University medcenter. I am her HCPOA and could not follow her to the hospital. I was responsible for my patients and there was no one who could take over for me. She was incapacitated, I was the POA, and it was clearly a life or death emergency. Yet I stayed and finished my shift, b/c that is my legal and ethical duty. It's just a sad fact. If I were you, I'd take a LOA if you feel inclined to put your daughter ahead of your work (no judgment there, that's fine, but it has to be arranged in advance). Otherwise, you are just going to have to hope she has the baby on your scheduled day off.

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I am a nice person, and want the best for everyone, however, I have also been a manager. If this situation would have come up with one of my employees, here is what I would have said/thought:

1. Your daughter is 33, why are you the only one that can help her? She is a big girl.

2. keeping an extra employee on shift for your convenience is not accepatable. That is another salary to pay. If you stay the whole shift because your daughter didn't go into labor during this shift, the facility has just lost money by having an extra employee on shift. How many shifts do you expect an extra person to be on? This could be a lot of money by the time all is said and done.

3. Where does it end? If your co-worker has a sick toddler at home, is she going to expect us to have an extra staff nurse in the building in case she has to leave because her child gets sicker? Where do you draw the line? Pretty soon, it will just end up that we ALWAYS keep an extra staff member onsite in case of emergencies. If I had the budget for this, I would have hired that extra person a long time ago.

4. If this is going to be a problem, maybe you should apply for a leave of absense.

Sorry to sound so gruff, but these would be my thoughts as a manager.

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I have to appologize. I see now that your dau is 33 weeks pregnant, not 33 years old. However, the rest of my thoughts still stick.

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How old is your daughter and is she living with you?

Does she have any other relatives, friends, SO, etc. who could assist her if she has problems-why is it all falling on you?

A LOA may be the best choice for you at this time.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

Is your daughter quite young? I would also suggest taking a leave of absence.

I had my first child when I was 19 and single. I had a c-section and was in the hospital for 2 weeks afterward. I had no one to help me (I was quite sick) so my mom would work during the day and stay with me at night and my dad took FMLA to stay with me at the hospital during the day. Might be wise to go ahead and take LOA because if she is young and you are her only source of support then she is going to need you during those times. Good luck.

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Specializes in ED.

Another thought...can you get one of your co-workers to plan to cover for you? That way you could at least leave once coverage is there.

DC, ED NOC RN ADN

Abbreviations R Us :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics and geriatrics.

Thank you for your replies and thoughts in this matter.

My daughter is 17 and lives with me. I have thought long and hard from the start of this pregnancy of what to do in case she goes into labor while I am at work. There are a couple of trusted nurse friends, that I could call to come in for me if needed. I realize that i have a legal and ethical duty once I clock in and accept my assignment. Thankfully that night there was an extra nurse in the building so I could leave and get her to the hospital to be checked out. I am just hoping and praying that the baby stays in until my scheduled vacation for the end of next month lol. Fortunately I do have a good boss that has said that they would work with me if needed if she goes earlier.

This is the only place that I have worked where the charge nurse takes an assignment. As far as other family members there is my husband, but he is pretty much on call 24 hrs a day (roadside assistance) and we never know when he is going to get a page to go help someone stranded lol. I know in my heart this will work itself out. Thank you

NiceNurse LPN

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

I would have to agree with the other posts. I also want to ask, does your daughter not have any friends or the FOB who can help her with a ride to the hospital if needed? She made an adult decision and will need to start being a parent and take some responsibility regardless of age.

I'm not a mean parent by any means but I did tell my 17 year old son if you're mature enough to make an adult decision (ie unprotected sex) you best be man enough to take full responsibility. Sorry, no help from mommy here unless you're fully prepared to be a parent.

I would not risk my job over my this. Either take a LOA or suggest to your daughter she should ask the baby daddy to help or find other emergency arrangements. I would not expect a facility to over staff to accommodate your pregnant daughter.

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