I'm a nurse. Not a housekeeper!

Specialties Private Duty

Published

Ok, let me start by saying that I do not feel that I am above cleaning someone elses house. Since I have started with this last client I have already cleaned their bathrooms, washed the walls (because all the other nurses got gtube feed all over it), swept the floors.... so on and so on. Let me give you a little background on the situation. I care for a little boy. He has 3 adults living in the house with him and a teenager. Two of the adults do not work. The consumers mother and I had a conversation because she made the statement that a nurse she interviewed said that she is not an overpaid nanny/housekeeper. I explained to her that she may not have worded it the best but I think she was trying to tell her that she is a nurse and it is her job to do healthcare for her child and not clean because I have heard horror stories about families expecting their nurse to do laundry and dust and stuff. She looked at me like I was speaking chinese or something. Next thing I know I get an update on the all service plan from my case manager and laundry and light housework was added to the plan! ***!? Like I said, I am not above helping around the house when I am bored. I actually like to clean. The point is that I am a nurse not a housekeeper and their is no reason why I need to do these things. If I were caring for an adult that could not do these things on their own I would understand but a child with 3 adults living there. It is not my job to do these things. Does anyone else feel the way I do about this? I think it is outragious. :angryfire

Thanks for letting me vent.

I have never been asked to clean before. In fact when I worked at a facility I asked for a bottle of disinfectant and was told that I am not to touch cleaning products while I am on duty. They did not want the nurses messing with cleaning product and then passing meds. I think cleaning the dishes I use and cleaning up messes when I get gtube feed on the counter or something is something that should just be an unsaid duty for all nurses but laundry!? When their are 3 adults living in the house and only one has a job! I already bathe, dress, fix his bed,fix his hair, feed him, brush his teeth, change his diaper, play with him all day.....so on. She can't wash his clothes!? Seriously! Is there no end to the things you can have put on a care plan for a nurse that you get for free in the first place? Idk, it seems like this is a normal thing in home health and I shoud just get over it but it really burns my a** that I HAVE to do these things now I am a total neat freak anyway and I would have done this just because I can't stand a mess. I feel like this was a big up yours from the consumers mother. I feel like I said that doing housework isn't a nurses job and she went out of her way to say "IT IS NOW! HAHAHAHA!" Grrr!

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The last three sentences in your last post sum everything up precisely and are the reasons why you should leave this case. It may seem like a small matter, but it irks you enough that you have posted about it, and six months from now it will have contributed to your growing discontent, maybe even an ulcer. There are clients out there that do not act like this. It is up to you to find a client household that is reasonable in expectations. When you find reasonable people to work for, then stay with their case.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, & ED.

So , you went to school and you're sticking to this situation?! Who's fault is it? You're a professional or aren't you? Why did you go to school, if you can't be a leader and stand for what you believe in?! Stop this nonsense and turn this situation around! and allow yourself to be assertive! I just graduated and took NCLEX. BE A LEADER! Change your case or move on to another job agency! ERRR this irrates me when people complain and know it is completely wrong and still sit around and wonder if this is okay ?! Excuse me if I'm harsh, but girl! Stand up for your rights as a Professional nurse...I repeat....Professional Nurse!!!!!!!!!!!! geez!

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So , you went to school and you're sticking to this situation?! Who's fault is it? You're a professional or aren't you? Why did you go to school, if you can't be a leader and stand for what you believe in?! Stop this nonsense and turn this situation around! and allow yourself to be assertive! I just graduated and took NCLEX. BE A LEADER! Change your case or move on to another job agency! ERRR this irrates me when people complain and know it is completely wrong and still sit around and wonder if this is okay ?! Excuse me if I'm harsh, but girl! Stand up for your rights as a Professional nurse...I repeat....Professional Nurse!!!!!!!!!!!! geez!

If you would have read everything I posted you would have seen that I have emailed the case manager about the situation. It isn't always as easy as you are making it sound. "Who's fault is it?" The care plan was changed 2 days ago and I am trying to fix the problem. What irritates me is people who like to go off about people complaining about their situation. I have news for you, you are going to be in lot of situations you are not going to like as a nurse and a lot of them you aren't going to be able to do anything about. Telling me to be a leader. I have been a nurse for 2 years and already self employed. I make my own hours and I pick my own cases. I will handle the situation. I just needed to vent and get some input. I was only saying that from what I am hearing this is part of being in home health and it is something I will have to deal with.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, & ED.
If you would have read everything I posted you would have seen that I have emailed the case manager about the situation. It isn't always as easy as you are making it sound. "Who's fault is it?" The care plan was changed 2 days ago and I am trying to fix the problem. What irritates me is people who like to go off about people complaining about their situation. I have news for you, you are going to be in lot of situations you are not going to like as a nurse and a lot of them you aren't going to be able to do anything about. Telling me to be a leader. I have been a nurse for 2 years and already self employed. I make my own hours and I pick my own cases. I will handle the situation. I just needed to vent and get some input. I was only saying that from what I am hearing this is part of being in home health and it is something I will have to deal with.

I am with you and completely understand your situation, I have been there; although not necessarily as an RN, but other medical profession(s). Like I said, excuse me, but you mentioned you tried working things out and clients mother convinced your manager to make cleaning part of the care plan?! When does scrubbing walls come in to place when being a nurse...unless it's ER or some bloody situation. Many times maintenance gets called in to take care of that kind of situation. It just threw my mind off you know? Maybe this manager thinks that because some RN (s) follow through with cleaning necesities, every RN will. NOT ME! Unless it's an older client with perhaps an olderly wife, I would out of my heart and client love.

Indeed you have 2 yrs of nursing, but it is nothing to the world of diseases. It takes years of learning and knowledge and developing the skills to evolve within this nursing career, not 2 yrs; and certaintly being self employed does not make a difference when you can't assess a situation you have been put in as either right or wrong. The love within the nursing career indeed has to be especial, very especial; but how to actually be a nursing leader takes lots of learning and practice to be able to evolve. It won't be in 5, 10, 15 yrs because medicine evolves and therefore you have to keep yourself updated with knowledge and skills to succeed as a professional. We will never be at the same level since technology always evolves faster, ever so fast. Again, not trying to offend you, but reading your post about the situation you have come across hurts, you know? I really hope you work this out and if you aren't getting the response you desire, I hope you can find a case where you are not stepped on as a Nurse. I don't know how to put it, I am plain out using simple terms in trying to express my feelings without trying to offend you. Good luck!

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I am a clean freak as well, but I don't think I will do it unless I mess it or to keep supplies organized in their proper place so it easier for me to get to. This was my question before I was hired. Will I be doing these type of things. He said, "no."

I don't plan on doing too many hours with this, so I hope I can hack it. This will be my first Private Nursing Job in the home.

Thanks for this thread.

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I have since left that position and started with another client. Like I stated before, I do not mind helping around the house and I do. I have swept that floors, cleaned the kitchen, dusted and everything for this new client. Today the mother made this statement to me... "could you make sure you clean everything up before you leave. I had to pick up the towels you used for "Shelly's" bath yesterday. The other nurse knows that I do not have time to do these things. I just really need someone to help me out with these little things because I don't feel I should have to do it. It is part of your job."

Yesterday I gave my pt a bath and then right after I got her dressed her aunt wanted to take her to the park and we left. You can not leave the pt alone for even one second. I forgot by the time we returned to the home. I was really shocked that she would say something like this to me considering every morning her and her whole family mess the whole kitchen up and leave dishes all over including knifes and I clean it up without saying a word about it. I do not think that I am cut out for home health. I can't deal with these people always wanting more from me. I think I am a good person and try to go out of my way to lend a helping hand whenever needed. I am tired of everyone wanting more!:banghead:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, & ED.
I have since left that position and started with another client. Like I stated before, I do not mind helping around the house and I do. I have swept that floors, cleaned the kitchen, dusted and everything for this new client. Today the mother made this statement to me... "could you make sure you clean everything up before you leave. I had to pick up the towels you used for "Shelly's" bath yesterday. The other nurse knows that I do not have time to do these things. I just really need someone to help me out with these little things because I don't feel I should have to do it. It is part of your job."

Yesterday I gave my pt a bath and then right after I got her dressed her aunt wanted to take her to the park and we left. You can not leave the pt alone for even one second. I forgot by the time we returned to the home. I was really shocked that she would say something like this to me considering every morning her and her whole family mess the whole kitchen up and leave dishes all over including knifes and I clean it up without saying a word about it. I do not think that I am cut out for home health. I can't deal with these people always wanting more from me. I think I am a good person and try to go out of my way to lend a helping hand whenever needed. I am tired of everyone wanting more!:banghead:

Set your foot on the floor, tell them you have other patients that need your medical attention. You are not their house cleaner! Just say no, it's not part of your job. ~be assertive~good luck. :D I've been thinking of you, I graduated and did pass NCLEX! I'm working as a RN in northern CA. Remember mental health and use reverse psychology in these cases, outsmart people who think you are supposed to clean their homes.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I have since left that position and started with another client. Like I stated before, I do not mind helping around the house and I do. I have swept that floors, cleaned the kitchen, dusted and everything for this new client. Today the mother made this statement to me... "could you make sure you clean everything up before you leave. I had to pick up the towels you used for "Shelly's" bath yesterday. The other nurse knows that I do not have time to do these things. I just really need someone to help me out with these little things because I don't feel I should have to do it. It is part of your job."

Yesterday I gave my pt a bath and then right after I got her dressed her aunt wanted to take her to the park and we left. You can not leave the pt alone for even one second. I forgot by the time we returned to the home. I was really shocked that she would say something like this to me considering every morning her and her whole family mess the whole kitchen up and leave dishes all over including knifes and I clean it up without saying a word about it. I do not think that I am cut out for home health. I can't deal with these people always wanting more from me. I think I am a good person and try to go out of my way to lend a helping hand whenever needed. I am tired of everyone wanting more!:banghead:

I am sorry that you're going through this again with the new case. :( What some people fail to understand is that private duty or home health has it's own set of unique challenges, so what rules apply in home health are different than most other settings. Personally, I find it infuriating when a family on public assistance acts like you are their personal concierge payed for by the taxpayer's dime.

It sounds like your manager is enabling this process, which ends up humiliating you in front of the family. If your manager will not support you in resisting this, I don't really see what you can do, if you stay on that case. Normal managers set limits. And I set limits. I read all the patient's paperwork, they have signed. Most of them have to sign a "rights and responsibilities" page. At least in my state, it is not a one-way street. You have rights, too. Knowledge is power!

Since this has happened more than once, I'm wondering if by cleaning up their mess even once, they will begin to expect it. So even if you're a clean freak and want to be helpful, it might be more helpful in the long run to just quietly and assertively don't clean up other people's cr@p. If you feel the home is so bad that it's a health hazard, call social services. I would also sure hella not cleaned up the other nurses's disgusting G-tube mess. :barf01:

Private duty can be very rewarding, and as you have said, the kiddos need good nurses!:nurse: It's not always bad to say no, sometimes it's best to say no. Hope it gets better!!

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I am a CNA working for a home health agency. I can understand where you are coming from...Obviously, Im am there to take care of my patient's adl's. In the care plan I am to "complete light housework as pertain to patient's living space, which includes light meal prep and cleanup" The patient coordinator made sure to emphasize to me to ONLY "tidy up" the patient's living area. I have been with the same patient for about 9 months.

NOW to the annoying, dirty part of the story. My patient has two ADULT sons living with him along with his wife and his wife's mother. They think I am their chauffeur/maid/cook/etc!!!!!! In the beginning, obviously, I wanted to make a good impression, so I would do extra things here and there, but they just took it to the next level. They even asked me to not wear scrubs anymore so I could take them places, and run their errands. NOT errands for my patient, for his mother-in-law and his wife. I mean I can't even explain how much extra I do. What I refuse to do is clean up after their lazy sons. One is 22 the other is 24. Only one works, they are dirty and lazy, they don't go to school, they make a mess and leave it there and in the begin I would clean it up because I had to use the kitchen after them but not anymore. I leave it there and purposely not wash their dishes etc.. THey even leave the fridge open, just open, they grab a drink and leave it OPEN!! HOW LAZY!!! IT SOOOOOO ANNOYING!!

The absolute worst days are mondays, they dont have anyone come on weekends and mondays their house is disgusting, especially the kitchen, and I cant work in filth so I end up cleaning up their mess. I am putting up with it because as a CNA its good pay and they are flexible with my schedule which is very important since I going into nursing school this semester coming up, and I have a young daughter.

Don't get me wrong, I understand completely that as a CNA some of these things are my duties, but seriously, they take advantage of me.

thank you for letting me vent.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, & ED.
I am a CNA working for a home health agency. I can understand where you are coming from...Obviously, Im am there to take care of my patient's adl's. In the care plan I am to "complete light housework as pertain to patient's living space, which includes light meal prep and cleanup" The patient coordinator made sure to emphasize to me to ONLY "tidy up" the patient's living area. I have been with the same patient for about 9 months.

NOW to the annoying, dirty part of the story. My patient has two ADULT sons living with him along with his wife and his wife's mother. They think I am their chauffeur/maid/cook/etc!!!!!! In the beginning, obviously, I wanted to make a good impression, so I would do extra things here and there, but they just took it to the next level. They even asked me to not wear scrubs anymore so I could take them places, and run their errands. NOT errands for my patient, for his mother-in-law and his wife. I mean I can't even explain how much extra I do. What I refuse to do is clean up after their lazy sons. One is 22 the other is 24. Only one works, they are dirty and lazy, they don't go to school, they make a mess and leave it there and in the begin I would clean it up because I had to use the kitchen after them but not anymore. I leave it there and purposely not wash their dishes etc.. THey even leave the fridge open, just open, they grab a drink and leave it OPEN!! HOW LAZY!!! IT SOOOOOO ANNOYING!!

The absolute worst days are mondays, they dont have anyone come on weekends and mondays their house is disgusting, especially the kitchen, and I cant work in filth so I end up cleaning up their mess. I am putting up with it because as a CNA its good pay and they are flexible with my schedule which is very important since I going into nursing school this semester coming up, and I have a young daughter.

Don't get me wrong, I understand completely that as a CNA some of these things are my duties, but seriously, they take advantage of me.

thank you for letting me vent.

sorry, i do understand your need to keep your job. but, just do what you have to do..tidy up. just do your job as described in you job description...good luck in your future nursing indeavers! :D

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Specializes in Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse.

Unfortunately these are the types of things that go on in private duty nursing. I've been there. I had a case that the family had 20+ cats in the home (I kid you not) and at times (like when they went on vacation and left pt at home) I was expected to clean the litter boxes. I think not. And I told them, and my manager that. I have stepped in cat poo when I went to use the bathroom because one had left a present in front of the toilet and I didn't see it. I was expected to wash the household laundry, including special care items that did not belong to the pt. I was so frusterated with this case, but because I needed a job, afraid to leave. Thankfully I have since moved on, and I am happy where I am now. All I can advise is that keep trying cases until you find one that 'fits'. Good luck!

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