No Parking, Yes Problem!

[wernicke]

I'm a pediatric home care nurse. One of my patients lives in a neighborhood where there was only one street that isn't permit-parking only. Well, *was*, past tense. Now that street is permit only; they notified everyone with a tiny, 14-16pt font plain-white-paper sign taped on a basketball court fence beneath a much larger ad for a job fair. Yes I got a ticket and yes I'm slightly miffed! Could probably successfully contest it (since it violates the requirement that the sign must be prominent enough for a reasonable person to notice it, and I've got pics. It's illegible unless one is within 1-2 feet of the sign) but it's not worth it for $40.

But that's not really what I'm most concerned about. There is now nowhere legal for me to park within a mile of this patient's home. I am 100% serious. Commercial lots are tow zones for non-customers, now every street requires residency permit, and some main streets have strictly enforced 1 hour parking limits that carry even heftier fines. The patient's landlord will not give me a visitor's permit.

This child is medically fragile and I'm with him for 7.5 hours per shift. I go to school with him, it's the only way he can be "mainstreamed", which is extremely appropriate for him especially since he is cognitively intact.

It is too expensive and impractical to always use Uber, and Public Transportation is also impractical. I need my car because I need my supplies.

This city does not issue permits to anyone aside from residents according to their website. Would it be worthwhile to give them a call? Don't want to say what city for privacy reasons but would be willing to answer that if it was needed.

Has anyone ever been in this situation? How did you resolve it?

[Cat365]

I would tell your employer and the family that due to your inability to legally park you regretfully must drop that client. If they want you they will have to obtain a visitors permit or other legal solution.

[wernicke, BSN, RN]

check with the parking authority, I remember a street in the Back Bay that was ALMOST all resident parking, there were, I think four out os about 20 that were not so marked.

Last one basically told me I'm SOL if I need to park for more than two hours. Hopefully he's just uninformed and someone else will help me, but I am beginning to think I'm in a bit of a pickle. May have to talk to my agency about considering the parking tickets to be a business expense.

[wernicke, BSN, RN]

I would tell your employer and the family that due to your inability to legally park you regretfully must drop that client. If they want you they will have to obtain a visitors permit or other legal solution.

That'd be the last resort for me if nothing else works. I'd try to have the agency cover the tickets first. For now hoping to get a parking monitor who is more helpful than the last one. However, I will tell them if nothing is working that I may have to drop the case, as, well, I would. I can't afford to keep paying these tickets.

[DeeAngel]

Report it to your agency and tell them you will not be able to return to that particular case until you are able to legally park. Its their problem, let them deal.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I can't believe your employer isn't willing to do anything to help. This is a sign of their respect and regard for their employees. This situation alone would get me applying for jobs elsewhere. I wouldn't quit until I had something else, but jeez.. if they aren't willing to intervene on something this small... I'm just saying if something bad should happen on a case, they most certainly won't have your back.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

The agency or family could pay your taxi chits, if they want you bad enough.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I agree with previous posters. There is no way this should be your problem. You need to tell the family and your employer that you cannot stay on this case if you have nowhere to park.

The family needs to raise a ruckus with city hall. How about invoking the ADA since their child's health and well-being are impacted? Your agency should have some sort of game plan for this because this is bound to happen again. No way should this turd be in your pocket. They all need you; they need to work on a solution.

[skylark, BSN, RN]

Is a bicycle an option for you?

I did home health by bike for years and it was the best way of getting around a city.

I often got given patients that the older nurses in cars could not get to.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Unfortunately, my city does not offer those. Surrounding towns do, but the city does not. I actually think a legislation change could be in order. If I am calm and civil about it, which I feel this morning, I wonder if that's doable. Chances are great that lawmakers just haven't thought about this situation. I don't think anyone would deliberately impede a child's ability to receive much-needed nursing care.

Trying to change laws is PAST above and beyond. Your agency should NOT be sticking this on you. Your agency makes money off of what YOU do. There are other assignments... and other agencies.

P.S. Your user name is great!

[ventmommy]

Why can't you write to the city with a CC to the Board of Education, the Department of Housing (or whomever regulates apartment complexes), whatever agency is responsible for regulating street parking, and your agency and let them know that your parking situation is impacting the child's right to education. No one wants FAPE enforcers to come after them.

[RainMom]

Don't suppose there is a local TV station that would be interested in this situation? A little public outcry could go a long way.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

They essentially said that's my problem. They recommend getting the landlord to give me a permit, which I don't have a rat's chance in cat Hell of pulling off unfortunately.

Does your boss want to keep the case? Tell her you don't have time to both fight city hall and care for the patient. Let them know you will not be able to stay on the case and give them 2 weeks' notice.

Get the parents on it, too. It's their child so they should have some involvement. Didn't they see this coming?

Who is the City Council or City Government, the Mayor? Get these folks involved.

What do residents do when they have company who need parking?