I'm starting a new job soon and it was brought to my attention that the facility will be getting a cat to be a pet for all the residents. The only problem is that I'm petrified of cats. I have nightmares about them. When I was 6 or 7 I even called the police on a cat ( and yes the police actually showed up). Ofcourse I wouldn't do that now, but the fear is still there.
Not only am I scared of cats but I'm also allergic to cats( and other animals). I have been hospitalized numerous times for asthma attacts from being around pets such as cats and dogs . Even when I take my meds, I'm still bothered.
I'm just want to hear from other nurses with allergies to pets that cope with working around them. I know the cat won't be sitting on my lap the whole time, but even when cats are out of the room or area I'm in my allergies still act up. I have not talked to my manager about my concerns yet by me being new. I also don't want them to think I want them not to have a cat just because of my allergies, I do believe the cat will bring much joy to the residents.
Any helpful information will be appreciated. Thanks !
The OP is not asking the manager to make a reasonable accomodation...she is asking for all of the residents (paying patients) to be deprived of a pet for morale purposes because she has an allergy. I know of many people that have allergies and they can take medication to manage it.
The OP never said she wanted to deprive the residents of a cat. She was asking for advice on how to cope with allergies. She even said that she knows the cat will bring joy to some of the residents.
I commend the OP for asking for advice on how to cope, instead of getting po'd about the cat. She didn't even ask how to handle her fear, she only addressed the allergies. She is thinking about the residents above herself and I think that's a great nurse
BabyLady - - I developed a sensitivity to the scrub solution we used in the NICU where I worked (back in the Jurassic Era), and the facility provided me with something I could tolerate. Your facility should do that for you - things may get worse.
But animal allergies are more pervasive. If you pet the cat and then touch someone else before you wash your hands, some dander may get on the 2nd person. When I worked in a facility where dogs visited, I tried to see the clients before the dogs got there - the clients can't always get to a sink to wash their hands.
So even if the STAFF member avoids the animals, there may still be quite a lot of exposure.
We declined an ECF for Mama 'cause they had not only a dozen or so cats roaming with the accompanying odors, but rottweilers , parakeets out of their caged flying around and a parrot with a profane mouth (beak?) in the lobby. They also had an A rating.
She finally got to a nice home with 2 legged hominids only. My MIL was in one that had a glassed in finch cage 15 or so birds and nests and a puppy in a playpen. Didn't like the puppy but the birds were nice. You probably ought to bow out of the cat situation for when croaks, crosses the Jordan, ascends, descends you gotta believe they'll replace him with another.
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
I'm more afraid of some of our family members then I have ever been of any type of animal.... I worked in a facility several years ago with a therapy dog, a rabbit and parakeets on every unit. Nursing was responsible for feeding the birds but no-one ever told most us. I remember over a stretch of 4 or 5 days that all of the little birds fell over dead. We discovered the almost full bags of feed on each unit. It was sad but funny in a sick sort of way(anyone a Monty Python fan? ). This was a lovely private, for- profit home-pets,art,beautifully appointed dining rooms and happy hour every Friday (residents only) but the worst staffing of any facility I have ever worked in.
Many, many nursing homes have animals, cats, dogs, birds. It is theraputic to the residents, because it is their home. Maybe you can talk to your doctor about changing meds, or increased dosages? The nursing home is going to get a cat, and one nurse who has allergies won't change it. Maybe you should reconsider your acceptance of the position working there. It sure is a quandry. Hope you figure out a solution. Let us know.
I really like cats but I am deathlyallergic to them. I would seriously end up in the hospital I am so allergic to them. I would decline the job as it would put my own health at such great risk.
I feel bad because I adore pet programs and think they do a world of good for patients and residents. I can handle dogs and birds but if there is a cat there no can do. Put your health first as you are no good to anyone or yourself if you get ill around them.
Side note..our facility had a parakeet. After a year of silence it started talking. Seemed it knew many of the managers by name...constantly chiming out "Mary Ann..call on line 1" "Peggy Sue..call on line 2".
After another few months someone (we always suspected a resident) taught the dang bird "Nurse Mary is a fat-orificed *itch". End of the bird
Back to thread..OP, trying checking with your MD, maybe he/she can give something to help
I want to thank everyone for their comments. Once again I'm happy for the residents that they will have a pet and by no means I would ever protest against the cat in the facility. I am just simply worried mainly about my asthma and allergies.
I will talk to my pcp... however as a nurse I do know I have to keep far away from triggers. I still plan to accept the job because I do really want and need it, but obviously I will have to leave if I get sick.
They haven't brought in the cat yet, so atleast I can prepare myself.
I want to thank everyone for their comments. Once again I'm happy for the residents that they will have a pet and by no means I would ever protest against the cat in the facility. I am just simply worried mainly about my asthma and allergies.
I will talk to my pcp... however as a nurse I do know I have to keep far away from triggers. I still plan to accept the job because I do really want and need it, but obviously I will have to leave if I get sick.
They haven't brought in the cat yet, so atleast I can prepare myself.
The place where I work has a house cat and a house dog, and several residents have their own pet cats. Prospective residents are informed of the pet policy during the initial process, so those with severe allergies are probably encouraged to find another facility.
Employees are informed before hiring, as well. A few people have allergies, and they give the animals a wide berth and are fine. If it's going to be a big deal, then the facility will not be a good fit for them.
Side note..our facility had a parakeet. After a year of silence it started talking. Seemed it knew many of the managers by name...constantly chiming out "Mary Ann..call on line 1" "Peggy Sue..call on line 2".
After another few months someone (we always suspected a resident) taught the dang bird "Nurse Mary is a fat-orificed *itch". End of the bird
Back to thread..OP, trying checking with your MD, maybe he/she can give something to help
LOL, too funny! I have 2 parakeets and the male talks sometimes.
In my state, there is a nursing home that has Oscar the cat(they wrote a book about him)..Oscar has a talent for realizing when people are about to pass..he's so on target that when the staff sees him spending extra time with the resident, they notify the family. He sits with then until they pass away..it's very sweet but kind of eerie at the same time.Cat predicts 50 deaths in RI nursing home - Telegraph
I think there is nothing wrong with residents in a nursing home having pets-you can tell it brightens their lives considerably.
We declined an ECF for Mama 'cause they had not only a dozen or so cats roaming with the accompanying odors, but rottweilers , parakeets out of their caged flying around and a parrot with a profane mouth (beak?) in the lobby. They also had an A rating.
She finally got to a nice home with 2 legged hominids only. My MIL was in one that had a glassed in finch cage 15 or so birds and nests and a puppy in a playpen. Didn't like the puppy but the birds were nice. You probably ought to bow out of the cat situation for when croaks, crosses the Jordan, ascends, descends you gotta believe they'll replace him with another.
Wow, would you share the name of this facility with us? I for one would like to start paying for my future bed now. Never met a puppy I didn't like.
. I worked in a facility several years ago with a therapy dog, a rabbit and parakeets on every unit. Nursing was responsible for feeding the birds but no-one ever told most us. I remember over a stretch of 4 or 5 days that all of the little birds fell over dead. We discovered the almost full bags of feed on each unit. It was sad but funny in a sick sort of way(anyone a Monty Python fan? ). This was a lovely private, for- profit home-pets,art,beautifully appointed dining rooms and happy hour every Friday (residents only) but the worst staffing of any facility I have ever worked in..thumb.gif.a0171653eaae518ecf728198d692fc48.gif){kind=avatar}
happy2learn
1,118 Posts
The OP never said she wanted to deprive the residents of a cat. She was asking for advice on how to cope with allergies. She even said that she knows the cat will bring joy to some of the residents.
I commend the OP for asking for advice on how to cope, instead of getting po'd about the cat. She didn't even ask how to handle her fear, she only addressed the allergies. She is thinking about the residents above herself and I think that's a great nurse