Help: a home care patient....

Wave Watcher · Apr 12, 2012

I think it would depend on how he used this statement when talking to you.

Did he say it as to threaten or scare you?

Was it in just general conversation about himself and his life?

micstn · Apr 12, 2012

It' more like a general conversation, he mentioned this is for self defense a couple of times... He is irritated sometimes...I just feel uncomfortable with this, everything of him is perfect except this...thanks for your input

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2012

I really don't have enough information to give you a good answer. Certainly, as a home health nurse, you are not required to see a patient if the home environment is unsafe for you. However, just because a person has firearms in the home for the purposes of self defense does not make the environment unsafe. Other factors would come into play here, such as, are the guns kept locked in a gun safe? Has the patient actually made any threats? *Everybody* is irritated sometimes, but it doesn't mean they intend to harm anyone.

AnonRNC · Apr 12, 2012

I own guns. I also get irritated from time to time. Heck, I even get so mad that I shout, swear and slam doors (I'm very big on door-slamming). But the guns don't come out then. The guns come out for target practice and/or for carrying on my person or in my vehicle at time that I deem necessary. I have NEVER in my entire life drawn/pulled/picked up/gestured at a firearm due to an interpersonal conflict.

I suggest that you talk honestly with your client. "Hey, Bob, you've mentioned a couple of times that you have guns for self defense. That's not an idea that I grew up with. Tell me a little more about why you chose to own guns." If Bob is just a nice guy doing what this country gives him the right to do, he'll tell you about it. Then you can follow-up with "What do you do to keep your guns safe?" If Bob is creepy and you're in a vulnerable position, that will be apparent quite quickly.

micstn · Apr 12, 2012

Thanks...way to go...

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2012

It is legal to own guns in the US. Depending on your location, almost all of your patients could have guns in their homes and you just might not know it.

If someone owns guns for the purpose of self-defense, I'd assume it would be for something like a burglar breaking into their house, not to shoot the nurse who comes to change his dressing.

And, I don't own guns, I didn't grow up with guns and I've never so much as touched a gun. But I've been in plenty of houses with guns in the basement or a safe and that never concerned me.

AnonRNC · Apr 13, 2012

Thanks...way to go...

What do you mean by "way to go"? Is that directed at me?