Legal implications for volunteering

[nursejoey05]

I am going to be a practical nurse in a few weeks plus boards. I go to a very small church with a majority of the congregation age 55+. I don't want to be a "parish" nurse or a "faith ministry" nurse or do healing or that kind of stuff. I would like to know if I could just make myself available to help when people need help, without getting myself into trouble. For example, recently someone was sent home with a wound for the family to do the dressing changes. I was thinking at the time that something like that could be overwhelming for that person and could cause problems if not done properly. At lot of the reason I finally went to nursing school is because I took care of my dad with cancer and now my husband is terminally ill. When I look back at all the medical things the doctors had me do before I went to nursing school, it is a lot to ask of a lay person. I know now through education that I did some things wrong and would like to prevent that from happening to others. How does the BON look at things like this? I live in Indiana. Thanks for the insight. (I haven't even discussed this with my pastor--just something that came up today.)

[iteach]

I'd contact your malpractice insurance company to see whether you'd be covered for the things you are describing. If I wasn't covered, I wouldn't do it!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

One of the things I've found that I can and am able to do for some of the older folks in my congregation is to be a resource. For instance, if someone is sent home with a wound, ensure that they ask the case manager or discharge planner to obtain home health to come into the home to teach wound care. Home care is available through Medicare and most private insurance companies. However, many people never think to ask about it. Also, with the expected very high utility bills this winter, I made sure the older folks knew where to get help and when they needed to sign up. I don't want to do hands-on care because of the liability, but I like to at least provide information on community resources. (I don't recommend doctors either due to liability issues).