Nurse performs a nursing action off the clock. What are the repercussions?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

So I work in home health care. Long story short on my shift my client's regular day nurse arrives to help the patient's mom out with her yard. While she was here she just came in, started talking to the patient, then started suctioning him on my shift. I just sent an email to the office because what If something would've went wrong?

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

(meanwhile, putting the kettle on) popcorn or cookies, anyone?

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Just now, KatieMI said:

(meanwhile, putting the kettle on) popcorn or cookies, anyone?

Meanwhile sounds like someone's school needs to take back someone's diploma ??. Diploma anyone? Some schools just pass anyone through these days ?? popcorn

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

I dont see that any of the previous posters thought that the behavior was OK, just that your response was over the top. It sounds like the nurse just got in the mode to help and didn't think past the fact that she wasnt on the clock. As others have stated most of us would not call/email/text the employer first necessarily if at all. There are other ways you could have handled this. People here are trying to help, and at some point another real live nurse may try to help you after you have blundered.

PS and you will blunder!

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In an hour you've managed to insult 3 respected members of this community.

Strong work, this has to be a record.

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6 minutes ago, chare said:

In an hour you've managed to insult 3 respected members of this community.

Strong work, this has to be a record.

If that's how you took it then you're welcome

6 minutes ago, Daisy4RN said:

I dont see that any of the previous posters thought that the behavior was OK, just that your response was over the top. It sounds like the nurse just got in the mode to help and didn't think past the fact that she wasnt on the clock. As others have stated most of us would not call/email/text the employer first necessarily if at all. There are other ways you could have handled this. People here are trying to help, and at some point another real live nurse may try to help you after you have blundered.

That's great someone is trying to help but what if something wouldve went wrong on my watch? Also, how would you have handled it? This is also an ongoing habit of hers. Nurses have left the case instead of explaining to the employer why. The employer needs to know this is going on.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
8 minutes ago, chare said:

In an hour you've managed to insult 3 respected members of this community.

Strong work, this has to be a record.

Chare,

there are the whole bunch of NPs (as well as PAs and MDs) right now, myself including, laughing out loud on this discussion. Remembering so many times when one was "just passing by" and then something hit the fan way up there while some law and policy lover stood with her mouth agape.

Gosh, it was a boring and empty day and there are whole 45 min more. Let's good ol' time roll on!

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.
2 minutes ago, FutureRnNnc said:

If that's how you took it then you're welcome

That's great someone is trying to help but what if something wouldve went wrong on my watch? Also, how would you have handled it?

If something went wrong (which it didn't) then it would not be your responsibility, it would be the other nurse who performed the procedure and then yes I would have said something then to cover my own butt. I cant say for sure how I would have handled it without knowing more specifics but I will say my first response is to not tell managers things that dont necessarily need to be told, not jump on the email right away, unless absolutely necessary.

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25 minutes ago, Daisy4RN said:

If something went wrong (which it didn't) then it would not be your responsibility, it would be the other nurse who performed the procedure and then yes I would have said something then to cover my own butt. I cant say for sure how I would have handled it without knowing more specifics but I will say my first response is to not tell managers things that dont necessarily need to be told, not jump on the email right away, unless absolutely necessary.

Thank you daisy

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33 minutes ago, KatieMI said:

Chare,

there are the whole bunch of NPs (as well as PAs and MDs) right now, myself including, laughing out loud on this discussion. Remembering so many times when one was "just passing by" and then something hit the fan way up there while some law and policy lover stood with her mouth agape.

Gosh, it was a boring and empty day and there are whole 45 min more. Let's good ol' time roll on!

??? stop making up stories just cause I called your bluff ..stop it ?? also where is my popcorn dear extra butter please

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
51 minutes ago, FutureRnNnc said:

If that's how you took it then you're welcome

That's great someone is trying to help but what if something wouldve went wrong on my watch? Also, how would you have handled it? This is also an ongoing habit of hers. Nurses have left the case instead of explaining to the employer why. The employer needs to know this is going on.

You have a license, she has a license. Just because it is your shift does not mean you would be responsible for her actions.

I would have spoken directly to the other nurse before taking any other actions. If there is a pattern, which you had not mentioned yet, then that nurse has boundary issues.

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2 minutes ago, Pixie.RN said:

You have a license, she has a license. Just because it is your shift does not mean you would be responsible for her actions.

I would have spoken directly to the other nurse before taking any other actions. If there is a pattern, which you had not mentioned yet, then that nurse has boundary issues.

Thank you so much. You hit the nail on the head. boundary issues! And that is why I emailed my job too. I think I was in such shock that I didn't know what to say because shes been a nurse since the what 80s so I expected more from her. But yes I plan to talk to my job tomorrow because I dont want this happening again. Although nothing happened to my patient she may try something like this again and I dont want it to turn into an argument in front of the family. That would be unprofessional. So if my employer does nothing about it and this occurs again what would you reccomend?

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Specializes in Dialysis.
24 minutes ago, FutureRnNnc said:

So if my employer does nothing about it and this occurs again what would you recommend?

documenting that *task* done by Sue Smith, RN, add whatever documentation you would normally add, sign FutureRnNnc, RN

This covers in case something is noted wrong later, there is a trail

Others have stated that you should have talked to the other nurse first, and you should have. That is how professionals approach an issue. As a manager, that would probably one of the first things that I would ask you, as well as what the other nurse's response was. When disseminating the information and trying to find a resolution, this would be information that I would need to know. If you didn't approach this as an adult professional, you come across as a tattletale, so be mindful of that as well

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