radiobrain

Thank you! I'm glad to hear that this is a common situation and it should be easily handled. I think I will follow your advice and wait until Monday. Thanks!

Dave, Thank you for the information and advice. Everything you said is extremely helpful! I feel much more at ease about this now. I begin orientation this Monday. As of now, I do not know who my supervisor is (or who anyone is, for that matter). Is it okay to wait until I meet them, or should I try to call Human Resources to figure out who to contact ahead of time to inform them about the situation? Thank you again for the guidance, I truly appreciate it.

Hi everyone, this is the first time I've ever posted on this site. I've searched everywhere for something on this topic, but I can't find anything remotely similar to my situation. Please help! I'm a new grad RN, beginning orientation for my first RN job on Monday (4 days from now). It is my absolute DREAM job -- I've always wanted to be a psych nurse, and I've always wanted to work at this facility. Today I was informed that my mother (with whom I have been slightly estranged -- she's bipolar and an alcoholic) is currently an inpatient at my new job! She is in the addictions rehab unit. I will be working in the committed psychiatric unit, which is totally different, so she will certainly not be my patient. BUT WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THIS? The facility is not very large -- I am bound to run into her at some point during the week, whether it's a brief glimpse or a period of minutes in the same room, especially since I am being oriented and will probably be touring the entire facility, etc. So, what is the typical policy for family members being patients? Do I need to inform my supervisor/manager/someone that my mother is a patient here? Who do I talk to? How do I appropriately and professionally handle any reaction she may have to seeing me? (It is very possible that she would cause a scene, given the circumstances and just her personality/mental health issues/typical behavior) I do not want to begin my VERY first day at my VERY first job on the wrong foot... I want it to be clear that I am not trying to hide anything or be dishonest in any way. I just do not know what exactly I am supposed to disclose, or with whom I should be talking about this. I have no idea if this is a "big deal" or breaking any kind of policy or procedure, or if it does not matter at all and no one will care. Clearly, I am in need of some guidance! Please, anyone, share your thoughts as soon as possible! Thank you.:redbeathe P.S. I am also worried about being branded some type of drama-related person. Obviously these circumstances are just coincidence and are out of my control, but I'm concerned that I will be viewed in a negative light to start with. Here I am, brand new and not even WORKING yet, and I've already got an issue to discuss :/ I really do not want to start this way or be seen this way!