I am a nurse, darn it!

Specialties Private Duty

Published

Text from patient at 8pm = bring bathing suit and change of clothes because I am bringing X to pool and I need you in the pool to help.

A) I have no lifeguard training or CPR training for lifeguards (which is a different animal).

B) I am an RN, not a physical therapist?!

I just said I will accompany, but I am not going in the pool. Am I wrong here? Isn't that a liability issue? I mean this client can't even attempt to swim. If they get water in their lungs they are toast.

Nekozuki: You should check with your Labor Board concerning Reporting Time Pay, also called Show-Up Pay. Required to be paid by law in some states. In states where there is a reporting time pay law, it is the responsibility for the employer to pay reporting time pay when the employee reports for a regularly scheduled shift and is forced to go home because of no work or is forced to go home early.

Many employers will claim that they know nothing about this policy and others just refuse to pay it. Puts the employee in a bad position when they have to file a Labor Board complaint to get what is owed. When this happens, usually the employer figures out how to call in order to cancel a shift.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
My school case included occasional trips to a pool. There was a lifeguard, but my client had a trach, so I refused to take him into the water.

Another client went to a pool for PT once a week. The pool was at a gym that does a lot of rehab, and had a lifeguard. Two people needed to be in the pool with the client. We got her in and out (with a ceiling lift) and did exercises for 45 minutes. Later she did pool PT at a woman's house. She was in the pool with the client, and needed the nurse to help with transfers. PT in the pool was part of the care plan, and all nurses were CPR certified. I had no problem getting in the pool with that client.

Most of the trach kids are not permitted in the pool at school. Only one is allowed in up to knee caps with nurse and qualified staff on either side. (Kiddo likes to try and face plant if thinks no one is looking)! Otherwise public pool + trach is considered too high risk

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I had heard some agencies offered this, but didn't realize it may actually be mandated. Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to look it up!

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Specializes in Pediatric.

The OP was smart to be cautious. Swimming may seem like a normal thing but it does depend on the client, and like many of you brought up, the POC.

Also, parents will push it from there sometimes. Had a parent who wanted me to zip line with her medically fragile child. (While she, the parent was 3 hours away) Um, NOPE. Obviously this is an extreme example, but I was like heck to the no!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Toes in the ocean. Swimming with PT, OT and 2 lifeguards in a closed session. Fine. Preferably with advanced notice so if I can't/don't want to another nurse can be scheduled.

Having a parent to ask you to take a fragile kiddo in the pool (just you and kiddo) while they are at work....um no. How about sprinklers?

Now zip lining. I can think of at least 2 of my clients that would love that with MD clearance. Though both kiddos have active parents that would go with the child and I would be on standby.

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To me its a case by case basis. I have a long time client, the parents are professional. After they call our inefficient office, they text me a heads up. They never abuse my number. Its great to know if my shift is being cancelled right away since the office had forgotten to warn me previously.

Other families... no way.

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What bothers me was the expectation that I am supposed to just do it. I get that many people are fine with it and that's fine with me. However, just because I am a nurse doesn't mean I will be willing to do everything and anything for you. It's that whole nurse = saint/angel thing. It disregards the person.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I see nothing wrong with declining the request. You don't need to be a saint or a martyr. You need to know your limit as to what you will do outside of basic nursing care and be confident to stand your ground. We are in the home and will get requests that don't happen in any other setting.

I get motion sickness on many rides. The kiddo loves rides and can safely go on many amusement park rides with a responsible adult. Fortunately kiddos parents love rides. So my job is to unemotionally (politely request accommodation not yell at everyone that they are violating the ADA ) and professionally seek needed accommodations to enable kiddo to ride with help. Once I got a companion ride pass but it was only for one person to accompany kiddo--I was more than happy to give the companion pass to kiddos mom.

In most scenarios parents will go in pool (many are lifeguards). If they go to the beach, one nurse shows up with short shorts, flip flops and a swimsuit. Me? Company polo, Bermuda shorts, slip on sneakers, sunscreen, shades, big hat and my bag of tricks including baby powder to remove stubborn sand I will enter water up to my ankles. It is a marine life toilet after all. ;)

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What bothers me was the expectation that I am supposed to just do it. I get that many people are fine with it and that's fine with me. However, just because I am a nurse doesn't mean I will be willing to do everything and anything for you. It's that whole nurse = saint/angel thing. It disregards the person.

My last client went on and on with a request that I could not comply with due to my health. She would not even acknowledge what I told her when I explained why I could not comply. Yes, of course the agency personnel started to side with her when I mentioned this situation. No matter what the nurse says or does, or why, the agency always sides with the client when they are wrong, wrong, wrong. Then the agency wonders why a nurse will lose enthusiasm, complain, or leave home health altogether.

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Wow, this had hues of Grey's Anatomy, I stood up and was actually clapping...Shonda Rhimes would looove you!!

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Specializes in Pediatric.
I see nothing wrong with declining the request. You don't need to be a saint or a martyr. You need to know your limit as to what you will do outside of basic nursing care and be confident to stand your ground. We are in the home and will get requests that don't happen in any other setting.

I get motion sickness on many rides. The kiddo loves rides and can safely go on many amusement park rides with a responsible adult. Fortunately kiddos parents love rides. So my job is to unemotionally (politely request accommodation not yell at everyone that they are violating the ADA ) and professionally seek needed accommodations to enable kiddo to ride with help. Once I got a companion ride pass but it was only for one person to accompany kiddo--I was more than happy to give the companion pass to kiddos mom.

In most scenarios parents will go in pool (many are lifeguards). If they go to the beach, one nurse shows up with short shorts, flip flops and a swimsuit. Me? Company polo, Bermuda shorts, slip on sneakers, sunscreen, shades, big hat and my bag of tricks including baby powder to remove stubborn sand I will enter water up to my ankles. It is a marine life toilet after all. ;)

You are literally my hero! Hysterical response. I can just picture you doing that.

My pet peeve is having to do long car rides with kiddos that need frequent nursing interventions like suctioning. I get really car sick. REALLY car sick. But this is something I try to tell them ahead of time. However our agency doesn't allow us in the car with the patients so I am in the clear

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