Can a home health nurse choose which neighborhood he/she sees patients in?

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Feb 1, 2013

I dont think you will one that will let you cherry pick

allnurses Guide · Feb 1, 2013

Will they provide body guard service?

My husband was the body guard for a home health agency that was sending their nurses into a pretty scary apartment complex (the nurses were being leered at and harassed about what kind of drugs they might have).

Of course, this particular agency was a bit more caring about their employees than others may be... don't know about your place.

How do the other nurses feel about this neighborhood and can a body guard be provided for you or the other nurses?

Just a thought.

suanniam4 · Feb 1, 2013

If you & your husband have concerns regarding your safety in certain areas I wouldnt think twice about refusing the assignment

especially if there was no escort. I have refused assignments before, but they do get upset and you may not get as many

referrals from your agency. That being said, In light of all the recent shootings and my location in Chicago, I'm really rethinking if

HH is for me!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2013

I'm a Case Manager for a VNA. Most of my nurses are per diem so I can't force anyone to accept a patient... but I'll tell you that the ones who refuse patients/visits regularly get asked less and less if they want to work. I have two nurses that I hardly ever use for that reason.

Detroitrn59 · Feb 2, 2013

I work for a very large home care based out of a hospital. We cannot pick areas. You put your name on a list to move into "better" areas, but ths could take years. Even if you are able to move into these areas, you still have to be willing and abe to go into Detroit. I go into some very rough areas; and a lot of being safe is common sense. If we get somewhere and it feels dangerous, we call the office to tell them. We are encouraged to get out of a home pronto if the feeling inside the home is wrong, or fights ensue, etc.

MomRN0913 · Feb 2, 2013

No, you don't get to pick and choose. I certainly don't get to. I have been in the pretty bad neighborhoods and recently they decided to try out a neighborhood they banned 2 years ago when there was gunfire.They decided to try it out again without telling me when they darn well knew it, but I have only been in HH 10 months so they figured they could get one over on me. When my escort told me when we arrived, I as furious ( I love love love the escort ). I brought it back to my supervisor asking why she didn't warn me and she felt there was " no need". A different escort went there for 5 min and decided the area was now again safe. I don't like being taken for a fool .She also told me it was " discrimination if I don't go in the daylight hours early in the day with an escort. BS.I just unloaded with my frustrations on your thread. Sorry, but I think it highlights the answer.The other nurse in our palliative hospice division has been there for 20 years and her house far up towards the more rural areas. So she gets those cases by the nice towns. I get the most undesirable.Yeah, I'm looking for a new jobAlso, I went in to HH not knowing the right questions to ask. Be upfront and forthcoming regarding what your concerns are. If the hood isn't for you, then it's probably a job you may not want to take.

suanniam4 · Feb 3, 2013

I agree, I dont care if they never give me another pt again, i wont risk my life so they can make there money.

I look at it this way, Im per diem, I get no benefits, haven't had a raise in 3 years. This is the only thing I ask

of them in return for quality care for there pts. Stay safe!

amsicle · Feb 23, 2013

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. I have decided not to apply as a HH nurse here. I don't want to be turning down patients that need care because my husband doesn't want me in a neighborhood and I don't want my husband to worry about me. Most importantly, I don't want to be in danger. The companies around here don't seem to provide escorts or body guards. Maybe I can be a HH nurse someday when we move away.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Feb 23, 2013

I worked in a home once in a not-so-nice neighborhood (vent-dependent baby) and when I went to leave after my shift, the dad knocked on the door - from the inside - to let the drug dealers in the hall know that the nurse was leaving and to leave her alone. Yes, I would go back - the baby needs care after all, no matter what kind of neighborhood he lives in, right?

amsicle · Feb 23, 2013

Yes, that baby needs and deserves care, but it's up to the individual nurse whether she/he is willing to put her/his safety on the line to provide that care.