safety and home care services

KJRN79 · Feb 26, 2007

This is in an OB text book????????? Well, the world has changed, hasn't it?

IMHO, I would ask why there is a gun. I would like to know if a family member is a drug dealer or a cop. I had one patient who was very paranoid, and kept a gun under his pillow and would tell me that at every visit. (Obviously not a postpartum pt.) Then, there are guns under people's clothes all the time and you don't know it. What is the difference?

OK, now to answer your original question. I would leave any home where I am not comfortable, gun or not. I may be so uncomfortable, I wouldn't even ask anyone to TOUCH the gun. I'd say something like "Oh, I'll be right back, I left something in my car." I hope this helps.

GingerSue · Feb 26, 2007

thank you

I have not had the experience of encountering someone with a gun in the home (at least, not to my knowledge)

but to read this, well, it got me thinking

I remember once a male patient in a densely populated high-rise area said something to me about the possibility of encountering someone with a gun if I took the stairway (I often took the stairs)

But - if it was a new mother with her newborn to be seen - how would you deal with the situation - would you go back later? How would this be handled? Talk to the supervisor?

KJRN79 · Feb 27, 2007

I would talk to my supervisor, make her (him?) aware of the situation and probably call the new mom to make arrangements to visit. It may (in some areas, though not most) be possible to go with an escort. Or just another nurse, the buddy system.

SaderNurse05, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2007

Excellent question.. I do a lot of home visits and I really like guns. That being said I never have them out, laying around. I would expect a law enforcement person to be more careful than that. FYI, I also ask about dogs and do not get out if there is a loose one. I am assuming this is a patient you have not seen before. I would probably get out of Dodge and call my supervisor. Better safe than sorry. There are so many other options- education about a safe environment to mom for starters- but until I can get some clarification on WHY a gun is in view I am gonna be outta there. Just my .02

caliotter3 · Feb 27, 2007

I have been stalked and on the receiving end of assault and battery. When a client communicated verbal threats against the nurses/agency, my agency failed to inform me. Down the road, I was made aware that the person threatening me is a plain clothes cop. OK, as far as my agency was concerned b/c all they have ever done about the problem (this indiv sued us) is to make nasty unsubstantiated remarks about my mental hlth (what would yours be, if a client and his friends were messing w/you?) and they ended the employer/employee relationship. The bottom line: if you are not safe or do not feel safe in the home, you inform your employer. You are under no obligation to go back to that home. As I've stated on this forum before, the attorneys stated I could not get a restraining order. It's ok with all of them that I'm not working. You have to defend yourself. Your employer does not care.

GingerSue · Feb 27, 2007

thanks for the input

edgwow · Feb 27, 2007

I would call the agency, make plans to escape the house, ie: I forgot something in the car, and drive away. You are not supposed to work in an unsafe environment. A gun is serious business. That is not abandonment if there is a physical threat to your safety and well being.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 1, 2007

And document, document document why you left.

caliotter3 · Mar 1, 2007

In my case what makes it more unacceptable, is that our field charts contained copies of the contracts signed by the clients. One of the provsions in the contract, is that the clients will provide clean, SAFE environments for the nurses to work in. This document is signed by the clients when they come on service. So, no legal excuse for communicating verbal threats, or carrying through on other illegal activities, including bodily threats, assault, and battery, brandishing of weapons, illegal drugs on premises, etc. All more inexcusable when commited by a police officer, an officer of the court. Go figure.