CNA- Dealing with Homecare Experience

[natkoz82]

Hello,

I have been a CNA for over 5 years and have only had one positive experience. I currently care for a quadrapalegic man living with locked in syndrome. I do all of his care ie- suctioning, feeding tube and catheterizing him at least 4 times during my shift. I know I am not supposed to do these things but its private care and I see it as a great learning experience. My biggest problem is my clients wife always being home, I feel rushed and almost as though I am a nobody to her and her family.

She has me vaccuming the entire house, cleaning, and watching and taking out her annoying big dogs (that have a tendency to run away). Recently her retriever decided to eat a plastic container of mine filled with cream cheese, he threw up all night and had to go to the vet(which she made me take him to the appointment) I believe she blamed me becaue she asked me to add on an extra 25 hrs to my time sheet so that I could give her at least $200.00 ( I am paid by the department of human services). I don't know what the repricutions could be from that but I dont want to be responsible for her untrained dogs anymore and I feel I shouldnt be a maid, I feel like a maid as it is with her husband. I cant make these people happy, I am paid well and will be starting my nursing program in July, I want to tuff it out till then but I cant stand the way she thinks she can have me doing everything. I come in sometimes and the house is just in disoray and I just want to cry cause I have to pick all of it up. I wish I had gotten into a nursing program staright after HS being a CNA is terrible and you get treated like a nobody and I absolutely cant stand it. I know if I put my foot down she will just find someone else and now with the recession going on I wouldnt be able to get a job that pays as well as this one. Have any of you experienced something similar, I really dont know how I should deal with this matter.

Thanks for any input guys and gals!!

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

You need to report this woman to your agency ASAP. She has no right to be taking advantage of you like this. If I were you, I would ask to be taken off the case and assigned to a different home care pt. You are there to take care of him, not her housework, the dogs, etc. That is not your responsibility, he is.

[rancelumsden]

Just an aside. I assume you're fully insured either yourself or bonded/insured through an agency?

If you think your situation is bad now, you have no idea how bad it can get if they sue you for anything and you're not covered (and it sounds like they might be potential litigators).

[natkoz82]

No I am not insured, I don't work for an agency it is the Department of Human services, he uses them because he served in the Air Force and recieves assistance from them. If I were working for an agency in the state of Illinois there would be no way that I would be doing what I am doing (for liability reasons). She can get away with almost anything, she doesnt report anything to them and I am not in contact with any of them either. What couldhappen if he were to aspirate in my care or if any type of accident ocurred? What could they sue for? Abuse or maybe neglect? Thank you for the replies.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

No I am not insured, I don't work for an agency it is the Department of Human services, he uses them because he served in the Air Force and recieves assistance from them. If I were working for an agency in the state of Illinois there would be no way that I would be doing what I am doing (for liability reasons). She can get away with almost anything, she doesnt report anything to them and I am not in contact with any of them either. What couldhappen if he were to aspirate in my care or if any type of accident ocurred? What could they sue for? Abuse or maybe neglect? Thank you for the replies.

Yes, if an accident occured, especially if you were working outside of your scope, she could sue for medical malpractice. This case is not worth the risk IMO. Please, please, please, don't allow her to take advantage of you like this. There are plenty of reputable home health agencies that are looking for CNA's that could put you in a much better work environment.

[sonomala]

two words: quit today. Its not worth the risk and potential lawsuit

[natkoz82]

Where would I be able to find out what my liability is in case something like that were to happen. I have tried calling the case worker at DHS and she could never find any information for me either. Do you think I should contact a lawyer that handles malpractice cases? I have tried looking up any information I can but it states nothing. She has alot of family members and friends watching him at times as well I dont think they are qualified either, but I dont believe she would sue them if anything happened.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Where would I be able to find out what my liability is in case something like that were to happen. I have tried calling the case worker at DHS and she could never find any information for me either. Do you think I should contact a lawyer that handles malpractice cases? I have tried looking up any information I can but it states nothing. She has alot of family members and friends watching him at times as well I dont think they are qualified either, but I dont believe she would sue them if anything happened.

There's a difference though. The family is not doing this for a living. As a CNA, you will be held to a higher, state set, standard. As a family member, they can't be expected to know proper care, but as a CNA, you ARE expected to. Personally, I wouldn't waste my time locating a lawyer, I'd quit right now. Not all CNA jobs are like this, you have a right to be treated with some respect and decency.

[jb2u, ASN, RN]

As others have stated, it would be better to quit than be sued or risk your future as an RN. However, as this thread has turned into a legal advice thread, it will be closed due to this being against TOS. Please seek legal advice in this matter from a lawyer.