I work in respite shift nursing in patients homes (8 hour night shifts). I have had a client for the past year and a half that has had a number of problems in their house (mice, lice, bed bugs twice). The agency I work for does not seem to put any effort into resloving these issues- I reported the mice for a YEAR before something was done (and my poor client has many health problems that could be negatively impacted by mice). I have also had my car badly damaged when I was parked there one night. I am actively seeking another job but until then I am not sure what to do. My manager has been very nasty and rude to other nurses who have refused to go there, which is why I have continued to go there. Anyways, another nurse that goes there said she found bed bugs last night (I seen pictures too). I understand that as nurses we need to sometimes work in unfavourable conditions but I am having severe panic attacks before going to this client's house. If I were to bring the bed bugs home it would be very costly to try to get rid of them and the agency I work for would not reimburse me. My question is: do I have the right to refuse going there on the 8 hour night shifts I am scheduled for this weekend or until I have proof the issue has been resolved? Thank you for any help ?
Hi everyone,
I work in respite shift nursing in patients homes (8 hour night shifts). I have had a client for the past year and a half that has had a number of problems in their house (mice, lice, bed bugs twice). The agency I work for does not seem to put any effort into resloving these issues- I reported the mice for a YEAR before something was done (and my poor client has many health problems that could be negatively impacted by mice). I have also had my car badly damaged when I was parked there one night. I am actively seeking another job but until then I am not sure what to do. My manager has been very nasty and rude to other nurses who have refused to go there, which is why I have continued to go there. Anyways, another nurse that goes there said she found bed bugs last night (I seen pictures too). I understand that as nurses we need to sometimes work in unfavourable conditions but I am having severe panic attacks before going to this client's house. If I were to bring the bed bugs home it would be very costly to try to get rid of them and the agency I work for would not reimburse me. My question is: do I have the right to refuse going there on the 8 hour night shifts I am scheduled for this weekend or until I have proof the issue has been resolved? Thank you for any help ?