Question about working same floor as family member

[rrmitch2000]

Hi all --

I have an opportunity to work as a Nursing Assistant at Summa in Akron. I met with the HR woman today and she is bringing me back to meet with the unit manager on Tuesday for a part-time night shift position. The problem is that when I looked up the unit, I discovered it the the Heart Rhythm and Medical Telemetry floor -- my brother is an electrophysiologist at Summa and so these would be his patients. When I told my brother about the position, he is adamant that this is not a good idea -- despite the fact he is never on the floor at night -- at most I might see him in passing as I am leaving and he is coming in to round. Is there a legal reason not to work on the same floor as a family member? If so, wouldn't HR know and not send me in? Maybe there was an oversight on their part? I really want the job as complement to my nursing studies, but I truly don't want to do anything to jeopardize my brother's career. I certainly would never tell a patient that I was related to their doctor -- I am extremely professional. Unfortunately, staff would find out quickly who I am since I look and act just like my brother. What would you do? Should I call HR and alert them before I go in on Tuesday? Or just go in and let the unit manager know and see what she says -- she certainly knows my brother.

Thanks

[foreverLaur]

I don't see what the big deal is. I've worked on the same floors as my friends and I even got offered a job back at home working the same unit at the same time as my mother and my mother was the one who got me the job. I obviously still live in Columbus so it didn't pan out, but nobody had a problem with my family/friends getting me jobs and working with them.

[AssociateDegree]

Listen to your brother: it is not a good idea. He has already shared with you that this makes him uneasy. How will you respond when you hear criticism about him? How will he respond when he hears criticism about you? This is too close for comfort. Even though you two are likely very professional, you can't account for the actions of others. Will you be treated differently by someone who may not like you or may not like your brother?

I doubt HR ever put 2 and 2 together and realized that he is your brother. Many people share the same last name. Some health systems have rules about family members working together; others do not. It is not a legal matter.

Find someplace else to work.

[foreverLaur]

Find someplace else to work.

Easier said than done. I had to search for over 8 months to land a nurse aide type job in a hospital. In the area the OP is searching in, they are even harder than where I was looking.

I would talk to the unit manager about your brother's concerns and see if she has any suggestions. She might know of another floor that has an opening and can refer you.

[rrmitch2000]

I emailed the HR rep on Friday evening so hopefully she will get back to me today. I am deferring to my brother's opposition and requesting to interview in a different unit. My brother was the one that got me in to interview along with his case manager nurse...so I think the problem lies within him and his personal preferences the hospital must not have a nepotism clause if they brought me in to interview in the first place...regardless I don't want to upset him so hopefully something else is available on a different floor. Wish me luck!