Car or Public Transport

Published

Hi everyone,

Im just curious.

Since Private duty nursing doesnt require multiple visiting patients, is it acceptable or convenient to use a public transport (bus or train) in traveling to your patient's residents ?

I would like any feedbacks. thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is nothing wrong with using public transportation as long as you can get to work on time and you are comfortable with your safety, particularly if traveling at night. Worked on one case where the night nurse had to leave the case because the bus ride to work was ok, unfortunately her shift end time left her stranded for too long waiting on the bus to go home. At another case, I met a nurse who never came to work on time, supposedly because of the bus schedule, after she lost her car. I noticed though, that according to her documentation, she was there on time every shift and worked the entire eight hours. The family member didn't appreciate it when I pointed this out to them and warned them that they could also be implicated in the fraud. If you need to work, your employer might try to force you to use a private vehicle but if you can get to work and be punctual using public transportation, I would think you would have a discrimination complaint if they try to keep you from working because of your mode of transportation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I used public transportation when I worked in private duty. No issues at all. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatric.

I agree that if it doesn't affect your job performance or compromise your safety, it shouldn't be an issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

There is one caveat to consider. Be careful if you must transport HIPAA type documents. If your files are lost, stolen, forgotten, blown away by the wind, etc, there could be problems.

And if you look like a 'medical person' you could be a target for bad guys looking for drugs or paraphernalia. But if you feel safe ...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I used the Path train and Nyc subway all the time when I had a Ny nursing license and lives in Hoboken.

That's the only way to get around,unless your agency wants to pay your parking and ticket fees(which they will not).

Besides,even if they didn't pay for bus and train passes I always used to just claim it on my fed taxes as a work related expense.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do not live in a majorly big city and we did have a nurse that used the bus to get to/from our house. I would much rather the nurse take a bus than have random friends/relatives dropping him/her off at my house.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I do not live in a majorly big city and we did have a nurse that used the bus to get to/from our house. I would much rather the nurse take a bus than have random friends/relatives dropping him/her off at my house.

I always wondered if having friends/boyfriends taking you to and from the home was a HiPAA violation?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I always wondered if having friends/boyfriends taking you to and from the home was a HiPAA violation?

How could it possibly be a hipaa violation?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wondered that myself. I think the issue is that some stranger has the family's home address. And since most nurses do talk about their cases, the child loses anonymity if the spouse/friends are giving rides to the case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

I think it may depend on the area. In my area public transportation is looked down upon (though it shouldn't be). I've had a few parents complain to me that they didn't like the nurse taking public transportation. One even told me that they thought the nurse should drive since we have a professional job. But I can see how in NYC or DC, that taking the subway would just make more sense.

I've thought the same thing about someone driving me to work being a hipaa violation. But if I remember right, it takes 2 identifiers to be a violation. So just an address wouldn't be enough. But I can see the parents concern that they don't know the driver and the driver hasn't been screened by the agency. But on the other side of things, if the parent is desperate enough for coverage and the only nurse that can make it needs a ride, the parent may have to give in if the nurse is a high enough priority. Any other facility, the nurse with a broken down car would probably call someone for a ride to work and the driver could possibly see patients outside of the facility. Perspective, I guess.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

how you get to work is no ones beeswax

if someone taking you is a Hipaa violation

than i suppose i had better disguise my car as well, because

a lot of people know my car

and we'll ask that the DME delivery van pull in the

neighbours driveway

whoever thinks taking the bus is too ghetto,

let them pick you up in a limo

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion