I lost my HHA job already

Published

Well go figure. I was fired from my home health aide job. Here is the scoop-

I was given a new client last week. So I met there with the nursing supervisor (she had to open the case before I could do anything) and while I was waiting for her in the lobby, this guy is walking down the hall and by just looking at him, I had the creeps. I thought to myself, "I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley."

So we get to the apartment and the guy mentioned above answers the door. Lovely. I go in and instantly start feeling sick to my stomach. I just didn't get a good vibe. After the nursing supervisor leaves, the guy is bragging about his extensive gun and knife collection and how his wife sleeps with a loaded gun...and all sorts of other creepy things.

After my time is up, I go outside to get air because I really though I was going to throw up. It wasn't just all the weapons-it was the whole atmosphere. It is so hard to describe in words-but I knew in my gut that something was not right.

So I call the office when I get home. They tell me I have to go the following morning because there is no time to find cover and to call them back afterwards. So when I go, he tells me that after I finish getting his wife ready, he will take her to meet her ride and I need to do some dishes, sweeping and he will be back. So when I come out the room, all the lights are off. The entire place was pitch black. I grabbed my stuff and just left.

So I call the office and get the same nurse who was with me the night before. She agreed that there was something about this place-she felt it too. I told her about him leaving me in the dark to wait for him to come back and some of the other things I had just been informed of a few minutes earlier (an aide was grabbed between her legs). She informed me that they were not taking me off of it. That I should just go and if anything happens, then leave immediately and call them then. I informed her I was never going back (I am suppose to be there 7 days a week-we work 12 on 2 off). She said if I didn't go then I would be fired-I told her I wasn't going ever again. So I was fired.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Sounds very scary. I think you did the right thing. Believe me, you don't want to work for an agency that puts your safety so far down on the list.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I agree. I would have done the same thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

Am I understanding correctly? This guy grabbed an aide between the legs and the agency didn't "fire" the guy as a client? You're better off without this place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Am I understanding correctly? This guy grabbed an aide between the legs and the agency didn't "fire" the guy as a client? You're better off without this place.

Yup-you got it. They have been through 6 aides in a year on just this one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, thank you all. I felt like such a loser and I was thinking that maybe I was being wimpy or something by refusing to go there.

I am starting to feel better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

i always say "trust your gut" will keep you safe and out danger every time. i'd join the crowd on leaving this clients home.

our agency has a straight policy guns+ knives must be locked up and animals must be restrained/ in another room when staff in home.

this client would be discharged---- placed on my agency's referral clearnace list requiring managers approval for readmission.

look for an agency with vna roots in your area for employment:

vnaa visiting nurse associations of america - the voice of home ...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i always say "trust your gut" will keep you safe and out danger every time. i'd join the crowd on leaving this clients home.

our agency has a straight policy guns+ knives must be locked up and animals must be restrained/ in another room when staff in home.

this client would be discharged---- placed on my agency's referral clearnace list requiring managers approval for readmission.

look for an agency with vna roots in your area for employment:

vnaa visiting nurse associations of america - the voice of home ...

thank you-that will be very helpful!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

You can get a new job. You can't get a new life if you get killed...No decision here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow! I feel for you. Good luck getting a job with a better agency! Most will let you refuse a case with out demanding to know why. If it gets to be a pattern (same staff member or same client) then they'll start looking for details. Sounds like you did what you had to do... who knows what could have happened if you waited to file appropriate paperwork complaints, etc!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MS Home Health.

Wow glad your safe. I would not be hanging around there as a nurse either. Creepy.

renerian]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

:kiss You did the exact thing that I would have done.

No job is worth your life.:nono: Do not let it bother you. You might have

just saved your life. God bless you for having the smarts to GO !

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion