Ok to take care of family as a patient?

[trmr]

This has happened to me three times now. I have family that live in the same small town I work in. So when they are sick, a lot of them come to the hospital where I work. One time I was in charge of the care of my mother in law, and twice now I have been in charge of the care of my very sick baby cousin who has a multitude of health issues. Now its not that I don't want to take care of them or that I can't do my job, but I don't feel comfortable taking care of my own family.

I thought there were policies that say you shouldn't, but haven't found them yet. I found myself in a sticky situation with the mother in law and swore then I would never take family again. But it has happened again because of circumstance I guess. I don't want to be a bad co worker and "refuse" to take a patient, but this is not right, I am thinking. The dr even questioned me as to why I was caring for my own relation. The other nurse had just done a new admission and already had one pediatric patient, so what would you have done in this situation? Thanks for the input.

[SDS_RN, RN]

I believe that in my facility we do have a policy that we are not allowed to care for a relative. I know I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it either there is too much hx there and I also think that it can affect your judgement on tx.

I would have told the other nurse your situation and traded a patient. I have even had nurses I work w/ say these people are close family friends and I would prefer not to take them. I would hope that your coworkers would understand and not make a big issue over it. Also if there is no policy in regards to this issue I would be talking to your NM to make a policy in regards to caring for family member.

[ShayRN]

I refused to take care of my FIL when he had bypass surgery. There are some things I just never need to see as a nurse:D

[mianders, RN]

I take care of a lot of oncology patients and do their chemo. When my mother was diagnosed for the 2nd time with cancer she refused to take her chemo unless I gave it to her. I discussed it with the management at my hospital and they gave their blessings. It made the bond between my mother and myself even stronger and she felt more comfortable in a very difficult time for her. Don't ever say never. You never know what circumstances will arise.

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

This has happened to me three times now. I have family that live in the same small town I work in. So when they are sick, a lot of them come to the hospital where I work. One time I was in charge of the care of my mother in law, and twice now I have been in charge of the care of my very sick baby cousin who has a multitude of health issues. Now its not that I don't want to take care of them or that I can't do my job, but I don't feel comfortable taking care of my own family.

I thought there were policies that say you shouldn't, but haven't found them yet. I found myself in a sticky situation with the mother in law and swore then I would never take family again. But it has happened again because of circumstance I guess. I don't want to be a bad co worker and "refuse" to take a patient, but this is not right, I am thinking. The dr even questioned me as to why I was caring for my own relation. The other nurse had just done a new admission and already had one pediatric patient, so what would you have done in this situation? Thanks for the input.

I'd have called the house supe - immediately. It's not a matter of being a "bad" coworker. Why couldn't you have taken that other pediatric patient and had your coworker take your cousin's child? If there were ever grounds to "refuse" a patient, this would be the time.

Blee

[Jabramac]

This happens once in a while in the ER I work at as it is a small town. More often then seeing family is seeing friends and neighbors. Everyone I work with understands if we need to change assignments, swap pts, or maybe just have another nurse do a procedure when somehting like this comes up. I don't know of a specific policy on this, I see it as more situational. Taking care of a neighbor child with a cut finger was no problem, but a friend in with psych issues, I stay as far away as possible.

Would I hook up and administer an IV med to my MIL? I would probably be comfortable with that. Would I give my MIL an enema? NEVER!

[JanessaG, BSN]

Would I give my MIL an enema? NEVER!

I would have to agree with you on that one!

[EmmaG, RN]

My hospital didn't have a policy against it, but I think it's a bad idea. I think they should even be placed on a separate unit if that's possible.

Something else to consider... given how frequently families and patients complain about being 'ignored' or not receiving 5-star treatment, you could find yourself being accused of giving extra attention to your family member to the detriment of other patients. Not that you would, but it would just be one more thorn in your side from management.

[EmmaG, RN]

Would I give my MIL an enema? NEVER!

I don't know about that one... my ex-MIL was in dire need of an enema.

[dekatn]

I don't know about that one... my ex-MIL was in dire need of an enema.

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

I have taken care of my own husband before and while I didn't mind, I too thought there was a policy against it but was told there wasn't. He was being discharged anyway, but still.

Other coworkers have had family and we usually do switch with them and take their family members.

[banditrn]

I don't think it's a good idea to care for close family members either. But on the other hand, one of the nurses I worked with was ALWAYS having to trade patients 'because she knew them in high school' 'their mother was a friend of her mother' and etc. That got to be a real pain sometimes because it seemed like she 'knew' everyone.