what's it like to be a patient sitter in Arizona?

[nel2139258]

So I just had a job interview to be a patient sitter, and I might have gotten it. I was just wondering if anyone in Arizona (or the surrounding areas, or wherever) could tell me what it's like? Do I need special shoes to go with my scrubs? Can I bring schoolwork if I'm working an overnight shift? How much is the average pay? And most importantly, since my position is a pool position and I can choose when I work, will they have many opportunities for me to work? Meaning, will I be able to get a lot of hours? I'm only asking because I just got hired at another place too and I'm not sure about working two jobs and going to school full time, but if I can only sign up for one shift a week or every two weeks at the hospital I'd have to keep the other job.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I imagine that a patient sitter in Arizona is just like a patient sitter in any other state.

Boring as all hell. Yes, you can generally do homework. Don't fall asleep, whatever you do. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to stay awake overnight, not really doing anything.

[Red Kryptonite]

Hm, many of my experiences with being a patient sitter have been anything but boring. Some are, no doubt. But when you've got outta her mind dementia lady who thinks she can still walk, anxiety off the chart, and meds aren't touching her, that's not boring. Neither is super impulsive long term drug addict guy with HepC and poor balance, who is on both blood thinners and IV fluids, and forgets all of it when he wakes up from his seeming coma at random intervals to try and sprint to the bathroom.

You might get some long quiet boring nights to do homework, but IME they need a sitter for a reason and some of them will make you earn every cent of that paycheck. From what I know of the "rules" part of it, you have to chart every hour in the EMR (they usually put a WOW in the room for you) and may possibly have a paper sheet with Q15 minute entries. You're not allowed to leave the patient unless someone relieves you. I have worked as a sitter in AZ and that's what I remember.

As to how many shifts you'll get, that's up to the needs that occur and the agency that hired you. Unpredictable.

Good luck.

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

In the hospital system I work for, patient companions can have homework, computers, etc in the room. Patient sitters are not allowed to have anything- you have to have your eyes on the patient at all times. You have to wear scrubs. So really, it's going to depend on the hospital's policy as to what you can do. And the ease of the job will really depend on your patient, as a previous poster stated. Good luck!

[cami9273]

I agree with fromtheseaRN, as a companion at the hospital I work at you can do homework, or read books. A sitter on the other hand you cannot. If you sit on an overnight shift make sure you get plenty of rest before, it can get very hard to try to stay awake with nothing to do once the patient goes to sleep. Good luck!!!