Home care - new LPN NJ

[holly2422]

Hi Guys.. I'm a newly licensed LPN in NJ. I learned a lot in job hunting my first week. Home care jobs are abundant here, nonprofit as well. A little hard in response for the facilities.

So, I had my first kind of meet the nurse you are replacing day in a home care situation.

The agency was aware I am new. The one owner told me to meet the other owner at a specific time and he would tell me the expectations at the house.

Well, I arrived on spot time, I waited and did not see the agency owner and I had no phone number to call. So, I approached the home, met the LPN and the family. The family was in shock they were losing their nurse and knew nothing of it,they were outright angry the husband even complained he did not like my sport car( what did that have to do with caring for his wife ? ).

I was told to bring my own toilet paper, to give the client her line of meds in a cup and sit in an unheated room after my tasks and wait to be called. I saw an extension cord that ran across her path to the bathroom and it connected to the outlet without a GFI safety switch next to the sink.

Can someone please explain the expectations of an LPN in a home setting, is this part HHA and LPN ?

I assume that house cleaning, delivering meals and laundry for the family is included ?

in addition to the expected cleaning of the patient, maintaining safety, med admin, vital checks. I assume this because you need to do something in those hours.

I was not comfortable leaving her with a cup full of meds that I do not see her taking and then documenting her MAR, I was not comfortable with the extension cord across the floor either as a fall risk. I mentioned this to the owner and he said not to push the issue with the family ?!?!?

if a fall happens on this cord, I'm at risk for my license or worse a suit and what about the meds I don't see her taking ? as I am posted in an uncomfortably cold room waiting for a bell to ring to summon me (its a good thing the warmer weather will be soon !!).

I hope this was a bad first case, or perhaps home care is not for me? I denied the case because they were not happy at all with a new nurse. I felt this would only lead to complaints to the owner in attempt to get their old nurse back......uggghhhhhh

[jennifer_gail]

I would continue looking for another job. I did private duty nursing for a while and was constantly within sight of the patient.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Not typical. Move on.

[Fireflynurse]

From one new grade to another, don't feel obligated and move on like others said. I had similar situation as yours when I found my first job. If this job made you uncomfortable, you have to move on to make you happy. Keep looking and find a job that you are comfortable with and you will find it as I did. Good luck :)

[SharonmarieLPN]

I have been doing home care for 10 years with my current agency. Grad. In 96. I agree that this is not typical. If you cannot communicate with and monitor your patient, why are you there. Find your fit. Asked to be moved that this is not a good fit for you. State the reasons you mentioned. The med adminstration and fall risk. If they give you a hard time about the move then the company is not a good fit for you. While you continue to work there in the meantime. Cover yourself in your charting. State every day in your note that you are instructed to leave meds. State the time you are instructed to be out of observation of your patient. Remember by law observe and chart every two hours. Also chart the fall risk and that you have relayed the concern to your supervisor.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

This is NOT typical. As a nurse, you are still required to practice safely-watch patient take pills, ensure a safe environment (hence, address the cord issue) and actually see the patient. I have worked home care a lot over the years. I have always been in the same room as the patient. I don't know if this is an insured case or private pay, but usually the hours granted by the insurance company is because the patient requires supervision and a higher level of care than what can be handled by sitting in the room and waiting for requests. I'd request reassignment and if they don't place you elsewhere, there are plenty of other cases available with several different agencies.

also, while feeding your patient and doing their laundry can be expected, you are not there to do the families laundry or take on the role of short order cook. A large national HHA made this clear during one of my orientations. As far as cleaning, minimal house keeping in your work area (the patients room and anything done in the kitchen or bathroom in regards to the patient) as well as taking out your trash for the shift and sweeping the floor could be expected, but your are not there to clean house...what a bizarre case.

[MedChica]

Leaving was a good call.

These people are kooks. I'd pick up cases but Id be looking for another company to work for as well. The owner's response to you was odd. Why wouldn't he keep the family abreast of change? Probably in it for the profit and profiting regardless. Is he a nurse?

Dont completely leave. Stay on their rolls. Occasionally pick up shifts. Hopefully, you can get good assignments. Dont burn your first place of employment. You'll need the reference.