Bringing kids/hubby to work with you?

Jolie, BSN · May 27, 2012

Regardless of your employment status, you are legally entitled to deduct the cost of mileage (go to the IRS website to determint the amount per mile. I believe it is about $.51) If your agency does not reimburse you for your mileage, you can and should deduct it from your income tax return. To do so you must keep a log of your mileage (per visit, per day, per week and/or per year.)

It is beyond me why an agency would refuse to provide security escorts to areas that warrant them. I understand that you need money, but as a nurse who had an encounter that could have cost my life during my student home health rotation, I won't stand for unsafe working conditions. It is good that your husband is willing/able to escort you, but that is your agency's responsibility, and they won't take it on if they don't have to.

Please look for a better and safer job where you are respected.

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · May 27, 2012

Of course you can bring your hubby with you. As long as he is in your car parked on the street. I totally disagree with the other posters. WOW, I wish some would quit jumping to conclusions. There have been times in the past where my car was broken and a family member brought me to work, the agency was glad I got there. An address gives no personal info. :no:

RNGriffin · May 27, 2012

Of course you can bring your hubby with you. As long as he is in your car parked on the street. I totally disagree with the other posters. WOW, I wish some would quit jumping to conclusions. There have been times in the past where my car was broken and a family member brought me to work, the agency was glad I got there. An address gives no personal info.

How does an address not give personal information? Where you reside is considered a portion of patient demographic. Therefore, anything included in the patient's demographical data is consider confidential. If you send a fax to another Dr.'s office with the patients name & address, this is considered a HIPAA violation. This is coming from a former HIM Director, something I have taught & monitored for years prior to nursing.

Any privileged information is a patient's right. Just because you have done it and your agency was congratulatory on your effort, doesn't make it correct!

This is where the statement, "you are responsible for your own license & career" comes into play!

amoLucia · May 28, 2012

I hadn't thought about the safety and HIPAA issues --- I guess I was lucky 'way back' when I did home health. Then, my agency used the city police for escorts when we made calls to certain very rough areas. I don't know if they still do so today, esp with extended hours. Of course, there could be the same safety issues even in 'good' neighborhoods. I do remember a couple nurses who had their BIG NOISE-Y pet dogs with them when they did their visits. But if you're getting those warning instinctual feelings, you may have to consider something else. Good luck.

threebrats46 · May 28, 2012

Ok just to clarify...I have and would never bring my children with me to an unsafe area! I added that bc when speaking to my fellow RNs they mentioned it was perfectly ok to do so and they do it all the time. My kids are my life and so that is def a no go for me. I have family members watching them. I posted this to get more information. I was wondering about the HIPPA as well. I really love working for my agency but the non escort factor is a bit nervewrecking. Switching cases to a diff time doesnt work bc those are the times they need the per diems. I am loving the job itself..really learning a lot but the safety factor is always in the back of my head. Should I say something? What can I say?

threebrats46 · May 28, 2012

"i wouldn't do it. several years ago, when i did volunteer work for the ywca's domestic violence shelter, my volunteer partner and i were sent out to get a woman and her three little kids and deliver them to a family violence shelter.

the y's "buddy" system had worked well since the mid-sixties. not. that. night.

we were ambushed by the husband's family. we were in the locked jeep when they suddenly materialized seemingly from everywhere. they surrounded the jeep and rocked it back and forth as i tried to peal out

of there. my partner kept trying to call the state police but it took awhile because we live in mountainous

hilly country.

we got away because i finally almost ran over one guy's foot.

i was waaay beyond terrified and so was everyone else in the car except the sleeping baby.

moral: don't do it for many reasons but especially safety."

that is downright scary!! im glad you made it out safe!

threebrats46 · May 28, 2012

" i guess i was lucky 'way back' when i did home health. then, my agency used the city police for escorts when we made calls to certain very rough areas. i don't know if they still do so today, esp with extended hours."

they still do,the bigger agencies do. you need one yr plus home care to work for them here. my agency is very small and i am guessing they dont have the expenses for the escort..not really sure what the reasons are just guessing that is what it is.

MomRN0913 · May 28, 2012

I was talking to my someone tonight whose other is a retired nurse who did home care towards the end. He said his mom brought him (then, a man in his 20's ) when she went to rough neighborhoods. I don't think it's the best idea though, I would avoid it if you could

RNGriffin · May 28, 2012

Ok just to clarify...I have and would never bring my children with me to an unsafe area! I added that bc when speaking to my fellow RNs they mentioned it was perfectly ok to do so and they do it all the time. My kids are my life and so that is def a no go for me. I have family members watching them. I posted this to get more information. I was wondering about the HIPPA as well. I really love working for my agency but the non escort factor is a bit nervewrecking. Switching cases to a diff time doesnt work bc those are the times they need the per diems. I am loving the job itself..really learning a lot but the safety factor is always in the back of my head. Should I say something? What can I say?

I can understand your reasoning behind needing an escort. Now, this is definitely something you would need to bring up to your coordinator. He/she will be the one to make the call as to whether it's okay to bring your husband as an escort. Be sure to have this in writing, if the answer is yes. The last thing you want to do is jeopardize yourself because of a patient's living conditions.

Cover your own A**.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 29, 2012

I know that my agency specifically has a policy against this as it is considered a HIPAA violation. Though I also know another agency in the city sends their evening nurses out in cabs for safety reasons.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · May 29, 2012

I'd be most concerned with your initial post where you wanted to bring your children with you...especially since you after state that you want your husband as an escort for rougher areas. Your agency needs to ensure your safety, just like you need o ensure the safety of your children and family. Definitely something to bring up with you supervisor/agency/manager. If you don't there may be bigger issues if your hubby turns out to know one of your patients/families...or if a patient/family complains about our family being present, even if it is only in the car. Address moe than city/county/state, just like name and diagnosis, is considered protected health information.

Patti_RN · May 30, 2012

Bringing your husband as a body guard sounds like it could be a good idea, until you actually think through the possible scenarios. Your husband parks the car on the street, you open the car door and walk towards the apartment building, then an individual or group of teens or young adult men approaches. Now what? Your husband leaves the kids in the car and confronts them? Is this another George Zimmerman situation where your husband simply believes the youth(s) are ill-intentioned? And, if there is an altercation, what happens to your kids while you're standing there screaming, your husband is fighting with someone, and others are approaching?

If you're truly worried about your safety and welfare, go to your employer and negotiate some appropriate precautions whether that means that you're are escorted by an agency employee, you're assigned a different neighborhood, or you work day shift... or you find another job. If there really would be a confrontation, your husband's and kids' presence could be very unfortunate for all concerned.