tami2017

Thank you all for your responses. Looks like as long as nurses keep flocking to PDN, agencies will have no incentive to increase pay. Only a shortage of pdn nurses will make agencies offer better rates. Or if we speak up collectively.

Damn. I had a feeling. Why is this particular line of work in nursing so below par compared to others?? Other specialties lure nurses in with thousands of dollars sign on benefits, high hourly rates, tuition reimbursement, the whole nine yards, whereas PD just say " this is what we pay, thats it" and its a take it or leave it kind of attitude.

Not only is the hourly pay low, it seems like you're stuck with it forever. When, if ever , are you eligible for a raise?

Calliotter3 here in TX at least it is standard practice and ALL families have cameras. We all just have to live with it or we don't have a job. Yes it's unpleasant, and yes, I've had the Nazi mom that had nothing better to do all day than watch my every move from her bdrm, but aside from extreme cases like that it's not so bad.

Training is typically one shift with a nurse shadowing her, here they pay $10/hr, so what they offered you is reasonable.

Very true here in TX as well. It's bad.

Yes, you are right. Its true in this area too. Can take months to get a case that fits your days, times, distance. Finding a good fit is golden. I too would hold on to that, you're in a comfortable routine with the kid, everybody's happy with each other. So due to that i developed a high tolerance for BS theres just no other choice. And due to that I work for 3 different agencies. While working I try to exceed expectations but much prefer if those arent rediculous.

You are right Calliotter. Unfortunately its too late now. I haven't thought of talking about this at the start of any of my cases. Maybe the agency could have mentioned that...One mom is an easygoing parent, lets you work and is busy with her stuff. the others are the ones with unrealistic expectations. They are also the ones that are always home. Lesson learned for next case.

Exactly Alex!!!! That's exactly how I feel. If Jr hasn't responded his whole life than surely I can stop singing for 30 minutes to text my daughter or read a magazine. But some parents expectations are rediculous. They want u engaging with their child hands on all the time. And of course they dont do it themselves. Even when there's no nursing care to be provided for the next hour, you can't go silent, take a break or do your own thing. Big brother is always watching whether by camera or hovering in person and they make you feel like a slacker on the job if youre sitting on your chair and the child is unentertained at the moment, even if he has his tv on or ipad playing songs, its not enough for them. I sing and talk to these (non responsive) kids 9 hrs a day, every day, and need a break or two from old mcdonald had a farm and 5 little ducks went out one day over the hill and far away.

Ventmommy, the thing with "as long as everythings done and the kid is happy" is that there are 2 perspectives on that. In my view , after competing all my feedings/ meds/ shower/ diaper changes etc etc for that hour, and after singing and engaging with the child all day, if the child is happy playing with toys on the floor mat, or ( if lower functioning) hanging out in the wc clean and fed listening to nursery rhymes on his iPad, then I would like to take a peek at my phone, or read a magazine, or eat in peace without having to sing the itsy bitsy spider or Mary had a little lamb. PCG however wants me there on the mat engaging with the child during that time... Why? Every child needs his play time, by himself. I'm sure shes not with him there every minute when I'm not there. Why do I have to constantly entertain for 9 hours on top of all the nursing care? I feel like I do above and beyond. On top of providing compassionate skilled nursing care, Im a preschool teacher with him, a nanny, an entertainer, everything. I need a break too. And im not comfortable going to the parents to ask permission to text on my phone ....or read a little, just cannot picture having that conversation. that is why I'm asking you all.

So Alex , knowing all this do you read/ play on your phone....?

Exactly. She went through a lot of nurses. I was warned but thought I could handle her, I was wrong. She was once furious with me I gave the kid tylenol when he was thrashing in pain. She said you should have come to me and asked me first! I said I didn't know I needed her permission to give tylenol....and of course now I know to ask permission to give tylenol next time... I still stayed after that but another outburst a few weeks later was the last straw for me !

Exactly carliotter3!!! I had a mom from hell who did exactly that, watched me continuously on camera then stormed into the room critiquing my every move. She was a micromanaging dictator control freak.

Are your PCGs home a lot too? I seem to always get patients where mom is always there (weekdays), in some cases many family members there, all the time.

Right, of course not!! I too always feel self conscious if they are observing me. And yes even when charting. You are so right, it literally is "performing". Singing mary had a little lamb,the itsy bitsy spider and old mcdonalds has a farm all day long i feel like a preschool teacher. But worse, cause at least they get responses from the kids.