Can family members work at the same unit?

jmokeefe · Jan 30, 2010

Good question! My answer from what I have seen would be yes, but it probably depends on the institution/site of employment's rules. My instructor for 4th semesters whole family worked together, and I am currently interviewing for a position on the same unit where my cousin works. She said that the hospital actually likes it when people are related....they are "family" oriented unit. Who knew!

mustlovepoodles, RN · Jan 30, 2010

I wouldn't recommend it even if your facility allows it. I worked with my mother in L&D when I first graduated from school. It was awful. She had a lot of experience as an LPN but none as an RN, and she loved to "teach" me a thing or two in front of other people. To make matters worse, we also shared teh same house. That didn't last long. I moved out, then went back to school 200 miles away. Best move I ever made. :nurse:

mamamerlee, LPN · Jan 30, 2010

The general rule is to have them on different shifts. Also, they should be peers, neither should be the supe, or charge nurse, etc, over another family member.

It may pose a problem when they both want vacation, or school holidays and such as their time off.

mcpnurse · Jan 30, 2010

jmokeefe, that's kinda funny having a family oriented unit... i've never heard or seen that before hehe.

as for mustlovepoodles, working with your mom must've been hard... and that's true, u live under the same roof so after a 12 hr shift, you'll still be w/ your mom -_- i dont think i can handle living like that haha

i think, however, working with a sibling or cousin would be pretty cool.... can prob help increase the "communication and teamwork" within the unit if you know someone well.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2010

I wouldn't be advising it....but my MIL and I work the same shift on units right next door to each other....fun to check in when you have to get away for a few minutes, but I make sure everyone knows where I am....

Cammer · Jan 30, 2010

On our unit we have a couple of family units. One "married" same sex couple where one is an RN and the other is the PCT, and the other where the mother is an RN and the son is a unit secretary while in RN school.

It actually works just fine. There have been no issues regarding these arrangements. However, if one family member was a supervisor or manager over the other different arrangements would absolutely have to be made. Nepotism, or the appearance of nepotism can seriously undermine morale in any organization.

tewdles, RN · Jan 30, 2010

I actually was the supervisor for my sister in law (RN)...she met my brother at an informal work event and ended up marrying him.

It was sort of awkward at first and I did have to be very certain that she received no hint of special treatment. My management style to this day remains participatory but very much by the book because of that experience. Having said that, I would not recommend that situation for anyone, too much risk...and happy employees are valuable!

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 30, 2010

Oh I think having relatives in the same unit is a bad idea. Even if there is nothing wrong there is always the perception of wrongdoing, favoritism and all that. Our place's policy disallowed same family employees to the financial end, cashier, cafeteria etc. Anywhere money was exchanged. I still believe it is better to work with friends rather than family.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 30, 2010

My son is one of the CNAs who work on my long-term care unit, and so far the arrangement is working for us, although it did get a little rocky for a while when one resident (who was a troublemaker anyway) told the DON that she didn't think it was proper for us to work together. I have never shown any sort of favoritism---in fact, I'm harder on him than any of my other staff because I know the quality of work he's capable of---but politics being what it is in these places, TPTB promptly yanked him to another unit.

Well, we were both plenty ticked off, because it wasn't fair and the DON knew it. Besides, even if he weren't my son, he IS one of the only two really competent evening-shift aides on our floor, and he gets things done even if his co-workers aren't particularly experienced (or good). It didn't take long for him to wind up back on my team though; after quietly enduring several shifts when I had to change and turn everyone on the front section by myself because the aide for that section was always MIA, I pitched a genteel fit about being assigned the weakest and slowest aides in the building and said "OK, I'm fine with Ben working elsewhere, but you need to give me SOMEONE who can actually do this job".

So I got him back, and we're just really careful to be professional in front of our co-workers, residents, and families. When we drive home, though, we talk and laugh and complain and hash over the shift just like old buddies.........he and I have always been close, but this job's forced him to grow up a lot, and working together has added an entire new dimension to our relationship. :redbeathe

loriangel14, RN · Jan 30, 2010

I work on the same unit as my sister.She is an RN and I am an RPN so if we are on the same shift she is my charge nurse.It works great and my sister and I get along but she has been a nurse MUCH longer than me and is too professional to show favoritism.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 30, 2010

i know i couldn't work with either my mother or my sister . . . but i've worked on the same unit with my husband for 15 years and that worked out great. in fact, that's how i met him.

in my current job, there is a married couple where the wife supervises her husband. since she does the schedule, he never has to work night shifts, weekends or "minor holidays" (those that aren't mandated.) he spends most of his shift in the break room while others answer his call lights and handle requests from his patients. and another couple on the unit where my husband now works -- he's the manager, she's a staff nurse. she gets exactly the schedule she wants, and other people get moved around. when she's working weekends, she takes her key to his office and "hides" in there so she doesn't get asked to help out. her reviews are always far better than they deserve to be, and everyone knows not to ask her for favors.

and in my last job, there was a married couple who were both staff nurses. he got promoted to assistant manager, and one of the first things she did was spread the word that she had his ear, and if anyone wanted her to put in a special word for them, she'd be happy to do so if they'd switch shifts, patients or whatever with her. he didn't last long in the position, and i think a big part of it was his wife's behavior.