Am I in violation of code of ethics?

Published

So I work at an adult day care and it's not really like a normal nursing job. I'm with the same ppl 8hrs a day 5 days a week so I've grown very close to my members. They're like family to me. I've taken some of my members to bingo outside of work, invited one of my members over for thanksgiving because he has no family and I've purchased clothes for some of my members with my own money bc they can't afford new clothes. A lot of the members are very low income and they Can't afford new clothes. One lady was even being beat up by her husband and he kicked her out...she had no where to go so I let her stay with me for the weekend til she figured it out. Am I in violation of something here? I know I probably am but that really bothers me because I'm in no way exploiting or taking advantage of any of the members I do all I can to help them. Could I get in trouble for any of this? I'm just really worried when state does their compliance check that they may find out about some of these things and I could get my licensed taken or suspended. Where so I go from here?

Specializes in Education.
I can get my license taken for taking someone into my home out of the kindness of my heart? I know as a nurse we have professional boundaries to uphold but part of why I got into the profession is because I love helping people. I never had any ill intentions or ulterior motives doing any of the things I've done. The Bon wouldn't understand that?

Sadly, they wouldn't.

It's hard to separate work from, well, everything else. But while it's obviously part of your work culture to purchase needed things for the clients, driving them around and inviting them into your home is a situation that isn't safe.

In today's world, if anything happened you would be the one responsible. And let's extrapolate. Say you were in a car accident while driving somebody to Bingo in your personal vehicle. Your work insurance wouldn't cover you, and if lawyers became involved as they so often do? Well, there is only so far that the reasoning of being nice will get you. You would lose your job and be financially responsible for whatever your private car insurance doesn't cover.

Now. How can you help without crossing those professional boundaries? Do some research. Does the local transit system offer shuttles? What about resources for things like elder abuse, domestic abuse? Homeless shelters? Free and reduced price meal programs? What do local churches offer?

One other suggestion. Instead of people individually buying things, create a way so that all the employees that want to can put in a couple bucks each paycheck and then have that be the money you use to buy things. So instead of it being "this nurse bought me this! " it would be "look what the center bought me!"

Do you think it would be best for me to find a new job very soon?

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Do you think it would be best for me to find a new job very soon?

It seems your naiveté will follow you to whatever job you go to. You need to separate your job from your personal life. Leave work at work & home at home. Learn how to be a patient advocate.

You've been given a lot of good advice. You don't have to quit your job. Just be smart about what you do from now on.

It seems that you don't know me from a can of paint and prob shouldn't make those type of judgements. Am I naive? Yes. Am I stupid? Absolutely not. I will definitely be making some changes. It seems like you're very rude.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
It seems that you don't know me from a can of paint and prob shouldn't make those type of judgements. Am I naive? Yes. Am I stupid? Absolutely not. I will definitely be making some changes. It seems like you're very rude.

Did I call you stupid? No. No one has called you stupid.

But you do need a wake up call before you lose your license that you worked so hard for. It would be a shame for something to happen to it. I have heard a lot of stories from my mom & I would hate to hear something similar happen to you.

I just think making comments like me being naive following me to any job is kind of a dig and uncalled for. I never asked you that and didn't need you to throw in your side comments or opinions. Thanks for the advice and God bless.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I just think making comments like me being naive following me to any job is kind of a dig and uncalled for. I never asked you that and didn't need you to throw in your side comments or opinions. Thanks for the advice and God bless.

If you didn't want our opinions, then don't come on a public forum.

You just said yourself you are naive. So...if you are naive it will go with you to your next job because you are who you are.

I did come on here for opinions and advice and like I stated previously, I reached the conclusion that my actions were out of line several several posts ago. Have a good one!

What's with people asking for advice and opinions about specific situations, and then complaining when they get them? No one can read minds here and know when it is that anyone "gets it". Pretty sure that no one here charges for their services, either, so....you get what you get.

Good luck to you, OP, wherever you go.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
What's with people asking for advice and opinions about specific situations, and then complaining when they get them? No one can read minds here and know when it is that anyone "gets it".

Good luck to you, OP, wherever you go.

Wasn't there just a post about this? Haha!

Wasn't there just a post about this? Haha!

No doubt!

I did post a few hours ago that I get the point and thanks for the advice.

+ Join the Discussion