"Wasteful Nurses"

RN3339 · Apr 10, 2014

Unfortunately, there are cases like this and sometimes in private duty you have to trial a few cases before you find a fit. Have you discussed your concerns with your office team? Usually hand sanitizer is provided through the patient's insurance as part of the monthly supplies. If the family will not provide needed supplies such as sanitizer and paper towels then the office should. With that being said, I would find a case you're more comfortable on. It is very hard to work in someone's personal home under certain circumstances.

eeffoc_emmig · Apr 10, 2014

Unfortunately, there are cases like this and sometimes in private duty you have to trial a few cases before you find a fit. Have you discussed your concerns with your office team? Usually hand sanitizer is provided through the patient's insurance as part of the monthly supplies. If the family will not provide needed supplies such as sanitizer and paper towels then the office should. With that being said, I would find a case you're more comfortable on. It is very hard to work in someone's personal home under certain circumstances.

I have spoke with the office. I was told that gloves is all they provide and to use them wisely. I'm guessing that means supplies are limited? I'll ask about insurance supplying the hand sanitizer.

I also spoke with the office about maybe finding another case. I wad told that this particular one has had a high turn over...hmmm...I wonder why. Right now, this is all that is available with full time hours so I'll have to stick it out for a while unless I want to go back to driving an hour each way.

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 10, 2014

it may not be the only case, but that the agency is manipulating you to keep you on it.

I have spoke with the office. I was told that gloves is all they provide and to use them wisely. I'm guessing that means supplies are limited? I'll ask about insurance supplying the hand sanitizer.
I also spoke with the office about maybe finding another case. I wad told that this particular one has had a high turn over...hmmm...I wonder why. Right now, this is all that is available with full time hours so I'll have to stick it out for a while unless I want to go back to driving an hour each way.

RetrieverGirl, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2014

Home care has it's advantages and disadvantages for sure. I currently work in home care as an independent aide through the Ohio Waiver Program. I am a new grad RN and I am waiting for my provider number to be cleared to work as a non-agency independent RN for the same program.

The case I am on now isn't bad, although the client's wife is always finding fault in whatever I do. It's rather ridiculous if you ask me. And I love how they act like they are paying you from their own pockets. Sometimes they hate to see you waste a minute sitting there with nothing to do.

The cases I had the most trouble with was working for female clients. They are most generally the pickiest and most difficult of them all. And if they aren't the client it's the mother or the wife that's the pain.

Good luck to you. Sounds like a real interesting case.

eeffoc_emmig · Apr 10, 2014

it may not be the only case, but that the agency is manipulating you to keep you on it.

Very true but all I can do is take them at their word at this point. I'm making calls to another agency I used to do PRN work for just in case.

eeffoc_emmig · Apr 10, 2014

Home care has it's advantages and disadvantages for sure. I currently work in home care as an independent aide through the Ohio Waiver Program. I am a new grad RN and I am waiting for my provider number to be cleared to work as a non-agency independent RN for the same program.
The case I am on now isn't bad, although the client's wife is always finding fault in whatever I do. It's rather ridiculous if you ask me. And I love how they act like they are paying you from their own pockets. Sometimes they hate to see you waste a minute sitting there with nothing to do.
The cases I had the most trouble with was working for female clients. They are most generally the pickiest and most difficult of them all. And if they aren't the client it's the mother or the wife that's the pain.
Good luck to you. Sounds like a real interesting case.

I always laugh (to myself) about families acting as if I must stay busy every minute.

My patient is wonderful. Mom is somewhat nice... says she wants no drama from nurses yet she nit picks every little thing. I've only had one case in which the dad was the issue.

caliotter3 · Apr 10, 2014

You are wise to be actively seeking a new case. While you may be putting up with the unreasonable circumstances now out of necessity, the cost to you in terms of your own well being only multiply over time. Continue to remind the agency or they will forget about you and give new work to others, as most agencies do.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Apr 10, 2014

Sorry, but if I had to sit on a bar stool all night long, I'd be bringing my own folding chair! I don't mind not having tv or internet at work (it's not like I would have it if I were working the floor in a facility, after all!), but a decent, sturdy, accessible place to sit once in a while on a 12-hour overnight shift is non-negotiable to me. (I'm 5'2" tall on a big hair day... bar stools require a running jump to get up into!)

Every time I read one of these threads, it makes me even more thankful for my client's family! Probably the "worst" thing I could say about my case is that the toilet paper is thin-and-cheap, so I carry a small pack of flushable wipes for the "just in case" poop situation.

I mean, seriously, how can you "waste" hand soap... by washing your hands too often / too well around a medically fragile child? Seriously, people? *sigh*

eeffoc_emmig · Apr 10, 2014

Sorry, but if I had to sit on a bar stool all night long, I'd be bringing my own folding chair! I don't mind not having tv or internet at work (it's not like I would have it if I were working the floor in a facility, after all!), but a decent, sturdy, accessible place to sit once in a while on a 12-hour overnight shift is non-negotiable to me. (I'm 5'2" tall on a big hair day... bar stools require a running jump to get up into!)
Every time I read one of these threads, it makes me even more thankful for my client's family! Probably the "worst" thing I could say about my case is that the toilet paper is thin-and-cheap, so I carry a small pack of flushable wipes for the "just in case" poop situation.
I mean, seriously, how can you "waste" hand soap... by washing your hands too often / too well around a medically fragile child? Seriously, people? *sigh*

I have to get up at least every 20 minutes or my legs go numb. I guess that helps keep me awake.

Yeah...be clean for my child's sake but don't use the soap...makes no sense at all.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Apr 10, 2014

Every time I read one of these threads, I make it a point to thank my kiddo's family for being 'normal'. They always look at me like I'm thanking them for being human, or providing air to breathe! :)

My current case - mom set up a coffee bar area for the night nurses. They are people of limited means, but there is a cute little tray, coffee supplies and a mini Mr. Coffee machine for us. And we all get a thank you every single shift.

eeffoc_emmig · Apr 10, 2014

Every time I read one of these threads, I make it a point to thank my kiddo's family for being 'normal'. They always look at me like I'm thanking them for being human, or providing air to breathe! :)
My current case - mom set up a coffee bar area for the night nurses. They are people of limited means, but there is a cute little tray, coffee supplies and a mini Mr. Coffee machine for us. And we all get a thank you every single shift.

Good to hear there are a few "normal" families out there.