Do you have patients call late

emilysmom,RN · Apr 29, 2012

That is why I am looking for a new job AGAIN. I found out that I have the most pts. Already had one nurse quit last week. I would like to find a job where once your home your home, but I don't like working in a hosp. Thinking about LTC, or case management that is strictly by phone. Maybe then I would have a life.

Amelias · Apr 29, 2012

emilysmom if thats the main problem you're having there, and everything else is not too bad, then you can figure something out and make it work. but if thats the straw thats breaking the camels back then its time to go ; )

caliotter3 · Apr 29, 2012

Don't you have other home health agencies available? I would go to another one and do extended care instead of visits. You work for four, six, eight, 10, 12, or sixteen hour shifts, do one nurses note, and when you are home, you are home. And do not give your phone number to the clients. Don't let these unreasonable people invade your home life and affect your health. Good luck.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

I have to leave my phone on all the time. To give you an example my manager just texted me asking questions about one of my patients biopsy results so she can code them a certain way. It is Sunday afternoon. AHHHHH

And what if your phone was turned off or you were somewhere where you didn't get service? What would your manager have done? Do you have a contract saying you are on call 24/7 and are you being paid for being on call?

It is Sunday afternoon- who is your manager coding these diagnoses for? I don't know any insurance companies who are doing authorizations on Sunday afternoons....

emilysmom,RN · Apr 30, 2012

The text messages are usually because she is reviewing Oaisis and wants to get them done. She asks questions so she totally understands what is going on with the patient so she can get it coded at best rate. I would not get in trouble just would have to answer them when I turned the phone on. But we have been told in meetings that she expects us to answer questions and the phone within reasonable time. So I answer right away.

Amelias · Apr 30, 2012

Really, people should know better than to call you when you're off.

This is one of those times when being passive aggressive is called for. Don't answer the phone or texts and dodge questions if they ask you about it later.

RNMom2010 · Apr 30, 2012

I had a therapist give my personal cell number to a pt once. :mad: Kindly informed her to only provide my work cell if she must. We usually only give our office/on call number. I only make pt calls on my work cell. When my work day is over, if I am not the one on call, the phone is off.

AMN74 · Apr 30, 2012

My patients get my number from caller ID. I don't bother to hide it, and I often write it down for them on our admission booklet, but I also write down the OFFICE number and I tell them that they can call me during business hours, but after hours or on weekends they must call the OFFICE. I don't answer calls after hours if it's a patient of mine. They have been instructed to call the office. And your manager should not be texting you at crazy hours for information. She should be emailing you and giving you 24 hours to respond. You do not need to be working 24/7. If you don't set limits and take time for yourself your job will eat you alive!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

The text messages are usually because she is reviewing Oaisis and wants to get them done. She asks questions so she totally understands what is going on with the patient so she can get it coded at best rate. I would not get in trouble just would have to answer them when I turned the phone on. But we have been told in meetings that she expects us to answer questions and the phone within reasonable time. So I answer right away.

If you wouldn't get in trouble if you don't answer these texts right away, you don't have to keep your phone on at all times. If you leave your phone on and respond to them right away, you are more or less telling them that this is ok and that you are available to them 24/7. Stand up for yourself and turn that phone off!

Sue Damonas, BSN · May 3, 2012

Turn your work cell phone off when you are done for the day. There's no reason to leave it on until 11pm. I turn mine off when I leave for the day. The patients have the agency's number. I'm not getting paid to be on call so I'm not taking calls on my own time.

You are so right! That is exactly what I do. I also tell people right at the SOC that they are to call the agency, not my cellphone.