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Discussion

Out of my scope

I am currently working as an aide while I am in nursing school.

My patient is younger and currently his family is providing for all of his needs. While my patient at times can be difficult he's not my worry - it's the mom.

The mom has started asking me questions that go far beyond what anyone should. I try to skirt the questions, but due to her convictions she's rather persistent. I need the job, the money, and the experience but I am growing increasingly uncomfortable in this situation and have no idea what to do. The last time I reported an issue to the agency I was told something along the lines of, "Well you're mature so it sounds like you have this handled."

I knew I'd get psych experience from this case, but I never thought it would be the family AND the patient.

Suggestions?

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    • Featured Replies

    What kind of questions? If she is asking you medical questions, tell her that you cannot answer those questions and that she should call the doctor.

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    • Author

    No if they were medical questions I wouldn't mind. They are personal and a little off kilter. Sorry for the vague response just trying not to be too exact for obvious reasons.

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    "My agency is very strict on what I can and can not discuss. If you have an issue with the plan of care, then I will certainly have the primary nurse speak with you about it. Otherwise, I need to be mindful. I know you understand this, and I thank you so much for understanding."

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    if they are "personal" questions, how is that beyond your scope of practice?? Patient's ask me personal questions all the time. Are you married? Do you have kids? are you from around here? How long have you worked here? Is your hair naturally that color or do you dye it? What is your dogs name? How long have you been a nurse? where did you go to school??

    It is not beyond my scope of practice to answer those questions. 75% of the time im fine with answering them, other time i just answer the question with a question. For example:

    Patient: "Are you from around here?"

    Me: "Well, this is my home away from home so i like to think so. Have you always lived here?"

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    • Author
    if they are "personal" questions, how is that beyond your scope of practice?? Patient's ask me personal questions all the time. Are you married? Do you have kids? are you from around here? How long have you worked here? Is your hair naturally that color or do you dye it? What is your dogs name? How long have you been a nurse? where did you go to school??

    It is not beyond my scope of practice to answer those questions. 75% of the time im fine with answering them, other time i just answer the question with a question. For example:

    Patient: "Are you from around here?"

    Me: "Well, this is my home away from home so i like to think so. Have you always lived here?"

    They were very strange questions about my religion.

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    They were very strange questions about my religion.

    Weird.

    I guess I would just redirect the conversation back to a neutral topic.

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    They were very strange questions about my religion.

    So they were inappropriate questions but they weren't "out of your scope of practice". Just tell this person that you do not discuss personal issues at work, change the subject and move on.

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    Actually, where I work it is company policy that we cant talk about politics or religion. I would just say that.

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