Oboy........how should this be handled?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

My agency primarily covers the northern end of my county. I live on the southern side and was told that I will be the nurse primarily covering this area. I live in a small town and am well aware that I will have pts in this town.

Today I was handed a possible assignment....still waiting for insurance approval. I do not mind seeing pts in this town, but this one is literally over my back fence!!!

My question: many of my pts, in making conversation ask me where I live. The ones in this area just ask me what part of town, which is safe to answer. If I end up seeing this one, how do I answer that question and keep my privacy? Do I lie and say I live on the other side of the freeway?

This could be a moot point, if the insurance doesn't approve my agency then I won't be involved, but if I do get it I will have to start caring for him tomorrow or Saturday.

No one says you have to answer the door . . . . .:devil:

I like that one...........:lol2:

If you're listed in the phone book, might want to change that. If you have bumper stickers or decals from local places, change that as well. Sometimes it's the littlest things that give us away.

Not listed, no bumper stickers. Really good chance, however, of being seen and recognized when out for walks with Little One.

Okay, I'm not in home health, but personally I would be tempted to park about a half a block away so they don't see my car. Or even consider walking, if you are that close.

I wouldn't want that knock on the door either.

Keep us posted on how it works out...

Planning on walking! It would use more gas to start the engine than to actually drive the distance! I could use Little One's wagon to haul my stuff. :lol2::lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.

When I worked at Albany Medical Center I was always running into patient's families. Fortunately I never ran into any of them in Schenectay where I lived.

Woody

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have never before worried about running in to pts or families outside of the hospital. Now than I'm in home care, however......there is an extended relationship in home care because you're seeing people several times a week for several weeks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care, ICU.

Planning on walking! It would use more gas to start the engine than to actually drive the distance! I could use Little One's wagon to haul my stuff. :lol2::lol2:

If you walk up won't that give away that you're close by?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's a small enough town that I could walk from almost any part of it. The pt is at the end of a court so they might see me walk up but would not know the direction I came from.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you walk up won't that give away that you're close by?

I thought the same thing. That's like making an announcement that you're "in the neighborhood." It also seems more approachable--a little kid's wagon is so sweet and inviting--which is an image you don't want to cultivate if you don't want people showing up at your door.

Your car seems like a portable boundary. Once you're in the car, you're off limits. It's also a symbol--for both you and your patients--that you can leave at any time. In that respect, it's really a safety tool. I'd think long and hard about not having that available.

Besides, most of the people I know who are in home health carry supplies in their vehicles. It's not a rare thing to have to run out to the car to get stuff.

No criticism here. Just want you to be a good turtle and keep your protective shell close by.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't think about that, Miranda, you're right.........hmm.........

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not to inundate you, but I thought of one more thing.

Your car can serve as a professional boundary, as well as a protective zone. There was a writer, John Cheever, I think, who wrote at home. In order to maintain the boundaries between his professional and personal lives, he would get up in the morning, don a suit and tie, take up his briefcase, and "travel" to his writing room. Once there, he would take off the suitcoat and tie, unbutton his collar, roll up his sleeves and kick off his shoes. At the end of the day, he'd reverse the process. He did this to clearly delineate his work time and his off time.

You probably don't need this kind of demarcation, but your patients might. In a small town, I'd even encourage you to wear something specific, a scrub jacket or medical vest, during your work hours. This is a non-verbal way of saying that you are on duty. Without the "uniform," you're just a regular person.

That's not to say you're trying to fly incognito. It's not a disguise. Just a subtle way of communicating that there's a difference between your professional and your personal selves. When you're in civvies, you're just good ol' neighborly Taz, not Tazzi RN.

Just a suggestion.

Hearing about your ventures into this new life is really interesting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think a "little white fib" would be acceptable in this case :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

I agree with Miranda (again :) ). We had a case in my state recently where a CPS worker went to home for an evaluation and ended up being murdered at the home and placed in the trunk of her car. The folks then stole her car (with her in it) and traveled to wherever they wanted. When the case worker never returned phone calls from her employer, they turned to investigators. It ultimately resulted in the conviction of the folks who commited these heinous crimes.

I'm only saying that to reinforce the idea that it is important for you to have the ability to make an exit if needed. Obviously, in her case, she had a vehicle there and it still went wrong. But hers was an example of how she was able to be found.. I believe they put an APB out on the vehicle, and thus they stopped the car.

If you walk up to someone's home and something goes wrong, you won't have any way to get out of there quickly. It might even be an emergency of one of your family members that you need to get to quickly.

Please drive to your visits. I realize you work/live in a small town, but bad things happen even in small towns. Look out for #1 always! Safety first! :)

Have you asked your co-workers how they handle similar situations? They might have some real life examples to relay.

Btw, I'm really glad you got the job you wanted, and I'm so happy that you enjoy it!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in er/icu/neuro/trauma/pacu.

I did a stint in Home Health as a newcomer to a small town...everyone asked how I liked living in the ole Taylor place, if my son enjoyed Mrs Denman's 3rd grade class, etc, etc....apparently very few people moved there!!!!!

I now live in a small town (work ER, DH is PA-c) everywhere we go some one says how nice our house,lawn,garden is looking... it's just part of small town life. DH always smiles and shows interest then tells them to make an appt on monday If you were in Law Enforcement, they'd ask about legal matters!!! Just let them know up front who to call after hours for questions and explain ever so nicely that you are not allowed to give advise or "help out" when off duty. Who knows you may meet a lovely new neighbor and really enjoy the relationship!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment