Roaches are going to drive me out of home care!!!

[hoolahan]

I feel like I should be called the Orkin Nurse, and instead of a backback, I should carry an orificenal of roach-killing chemicals.

I need a roach repellant perfume or something.

Yesterday MONSTER roach appeared too close to my coat, and I swear I could barely focus on my new admit, and I admit, I skimmed that OASIs faster than fast to get the heck outta there!

Today, very clean house, in the midst of several abandoned ones boarded up in a drug-infested neighborhood, and I know that is always a bad thing, a draw for roaches and rodents, and it isn't the fault or lack of cleanliness of the people I serve but ...

People I have a serious issue, fear-factor, r/t roaches. I am not sure I could even get away w asking not to be sent there, it wouyld only mean some other poor nurse gets stuck w that many more roach motels.

Let me put it this way, if I were on that show fear factor and I could be given a million dollars to enter a room swarming w roaches, I would probably hurl at the thought.

Today, sitting in this clean rose among the thorns, and here comes da beast, crawling up the couch I was just sitting on, once again too close to my personal stuff. At least in the summer, I don't have a coat or so many pockets and stuff w me for the creepy critters to hide in.

I can't function like this, I get tunnel vision, and I do struggle to keep cool and remain non-judgemental, esp w the older folks.

Help me!! Should I seek deconditioning? I think this is NORMAL to not like roaches. Yesterday's man carried his med zippered bag in and tried to hand it to me w a monster roach on it!! I asked him to set it on the table and take out the bottles one by one so we could review it, I wasn't touching that freakin bag!!

I have been going into the dregs of the city w/o a roach-free home lately, and I can't take it much longer. I am not only afraid of these things touching me, or getting into my clothes, but of bringing them into my home by accident. My winter coat is still in my car b/c I was afraid to bring it inside. I am seriously stressing here!!!

What would you do? I have no problem w dogs, snakes, or other creatures, just bugs tarantula spiders, roaches, NASTY stuff.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Thank the powers above that Philly roaches are normal size.

Went to wash my hands at kitchen sink one time and bumped it----roaches appeared out of nowhere; check the refrig---roach filled. Sister told me couldn't afford incontinence dippers for patient--so used rags. Refused to give me nex t of kin's name.

Next visit, cheked BP of pt while sitting in car waiting for sister to help her in as they had gone to bank---saw 10 $100 bills in envelope. Called protective services pronto. Family came out of the woodworks when I insisted on placement as sister forgetful to give meds. Boy did that place get cleaned up quick and family involved! Got to be on first name basis with Protective Services in my county--had to duck'em at Kmart to shop in peace!

[kids]

*sigh*

I don't know why I do this to my self...apparently my experience in high-tech Peds HH and PDN is a valuable comodity. I interviewed for a HH job today.

[Brita01]

Originally posted by NRSKarenRN

Thank the powers above that Philly roaches are normal size.

Went to wash my hands at kitchen sink one time and bumped it----roaches appeared out of nowhere; check the refrig---roach filled.

Roaches in the fridge?! I've heard everything now.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by kids-r-fun

*sigh*

I don't know why I do this to my self...apparently my experience in high-tech Peds HH and PDN is a valuable comodity. I interviewed for a HH job today.

It's because home is where the heart is!

[sphinx, BSN, RN]

*shudder*

I have a major roach phobia too......I had one guy who also had tons of roaches scurrying around his couch, walls, etc in the living room. Didn't know it at first, was sitting delicately on the couch (place was cluttered and dirty, so I perched on the edge). This man was so used to the nasty creatures he just casually brushed them away. Meanwhile I'm tucking my pantlegs into my socks and hoping he won't notice. I stood up immediately. They were all over! Needless to say at further visits I never wore a coat (even though it was cooold) and brought the bare essentials in a large ziplock bag. I literally got the shivers. He was very apologetic, but at the same time didn't mind them himself. When I pull out my waterless stuff to wash my hands, he's like "oh go ahead and use the sink in the kitchen or upstairs in the bathroom"....and I'm thinking NO WAY......those places are waaaaaay too nasty for a man with such a huge roach infestation. I was so afraid I'd bring a houseguest with me....thankfully not. But I kept checking myself over and over everytime I went there. Felt like I had OCD the way I checked and rechecked. Yikes.

[kids]

Originally posted by kids-r-fun

*sigh*

I don't know why I do this to my self...apparently my experience in high-tech Peds HH and PDN is a valuable comodity. I interviewed for a HH job today.

Originally posted by NRSKarenRN

It's because home is where the heart is!

But the Pediatric Clinic made me an offer first.

I'm feeling very torn between Peds & HH...I'm in heaven doing Peds HH.

[sixes]

I worked in home care for 6 years. Came across a family with a horse living in the house and one with a pig. Snakes.birds, big nasty dogs etc. Never a roach. I would go insane if I had to work in those conditions. Spiders are my worst fear they freak me out.

I was in a restraunt in Toronto once and remarked to my friend "What a strange looking beetle" she said it was a cockroach. I was gone. Spewed what I had eaten and have never seen a roach since.

You are a better person then I am if I spotted one when I was in a clients home I would be out of there never to return agian even if it meant my job.

[dba]

I once picked up a phone in a patients home (in FL) to call the office and there was a giant roach on the earpiece!! Luckily I noticed before putting it on my ear (ick!) I just flicked it off...I also kept sticking to the carpet in there which was my first clue to the state of the home.... Actually I never minded grunge as I can go home and take a bath but the patient has to live there...

dba

[kcrnsue]

Come to beautiful North Idaho, No roaches. I had never even seen a roach until we went on a trip to the east coast! I think it is too cold here!

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Honey, pack our bags, we're moving to bee-U-ti-Ful, roach free North Idaho!!!

So, how much are they paying RN's for HH there???

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Got this in my e-mail today, and thought of you all...

A woman was working in a post office in California. One day she licked the

> envelopes and postage stamps instead of using a sponge. That very day the

> lady cut her tongue on the envelope. A week later, she noticed an abnormal

> swelling of her tongue.. She went to the doctor, and they found nothing

> wrong. Her tongue was not sore or anything. A couple of days later, her

> tongue started to swell more, and it began to get really sore, so sore,

> that she could not eat..She went back to the hospital, and demanded

> something be done. The doctor took an x-ray of her tongue and noticed a

> lump. He prepared her for minor surgery.When the doctor cut her tongue

> open, a live cockroach crawled out!!!! There were roach eggs on the seal

of

> the envelope. The egg was able to hatch inside of her tongue, because of

her

> saliva. It was warm and moist..

>

> This is a true story reported on CNN (gross, huh?)

>

> 2) Andy Hume wrote: "Hey, I used to work in an envelope factory. You

> wouldn't believe the....things that float around in those gum applicator

> trays. I haven't licked an envelope for years!"

>

> (3) To All: I used to work for a print shop (32 years ago) and we were

told

> NEVER to lick the envelopes. I never understood why until I had to go into

> storage and pullout 2500 envelops that were already printed for a customer

> who was doing a mailing and saw several squads of roaches roaming around

> inside a couple of boxes with eggs everywhere. They eat the glue on the

> envelopes. I think print shops have a harder time controlling roaches

than

> a restaurant. I always buy the self sealing type. Or if need be I use a

> glue stick to seal one that has the type of glue that needs be wet to

> stick.

>

Anyway, reminded me of my nurse colleague who, ss a GN, taught me to never stomp on a roach w my shoes to kill it, b/c if it was a preg female, you could carry the eggs home on your shoes. GAWD! Gives me the willies!!!!

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Got this in my e-mail today, and thought of you all...

A woman was working in a post office in California. One day she licked the

> envelopes and postage stamps instead of using a sponge. That very day the

> lady cut her tongue on the envelope. A week later, she noticed an abnormal

> swelling of her tongue.. She went to the doctor, and they found nothing

> wrong. Her tongue was not sore or anything. A couple of days later, her

> tongue started to swell more, and it began to get really sore, so sore,

> that she could not eat..She went back to the hospital, and demanded

> something be done. The doctor took an x-ray of her tongue and noticed a

> lump. He prepared her for minor surgery.When the doctor cut her tongue

> open, a live cockroach crawled out!!!! There were roach eggs on the seal

of

> the envelope. The egg was able to hatch inside of her tongue, because of

her

> saliva. It was warm and moist..

>

> This is a true story reported on CNN (gross, huh?)

>

> 2) Andy Hume wrote: "Hey, I used to work in an envelope factory. You

> wouldn't believe the....things that float around in those gum applicator

> trays. I haven't licked an envelope for years!"

>

> (3) To All: I used to work for a print shop (32 years ago) and we were

told

> NEVER to lick the envelopes. I never understood why until I had to go into

> storage and pullout 2500 envelops that were already printed for a customer

> who was doing a mailing and saw several squads of roaches roaming around

> inside a couple of boxes with eggs everywhere. They eat the glue on the

> envelopes. I think print shops have a harder time controlling roaches

than

> a restaurant. I always buy the self sealing type. Or if need be I use a

> glue stick to seal one that has the type of glue that needs be wet to

> stick.

>

Anyway, reminded me of my nurse colleague who, ss a GN, taught me to never stomp on a roach w my shoes to kill it, b/c if it was a preg female, you could carry the eggs home on your shoes. GAWD! Gives me the willies!!!!