Sex Offender as a home care patient?

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I have been in home care for 9 yrs, I have had my share of patients that were, shall we say on the wrong side of the law but my latest takes the cake! I have a patient that I have been seeing monthly for insulin and medication prefills and I just learned that he is a Level 2 Sex Offender- 4 girls age 5-13.

Looking back on our visits there were a few instances where he made comments or wanted my picture and I set clear boundaries but I had no idea of his crimes for which he was convicted of. Now I am faced with having to go back into his home, which is in a very remote location, and I am scared and disgusted. Any suggestions or advice???

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Specializes in CT stepdown, hospice, psych, ortho.

Well the good news is you were firm with him and set boundaries from the beginning, without even knowing there was any kind of history.

When I did homecare we a rule that if you felt uncomfortable in the home 2 nurses would go make the visit. You kind of risk alienating the patient if you suddenly start bringing 2 when it was just you previously but if you truly feel unsafe, thats just an unfortunate consequence that can't be helped. Just curious, how did you find out this information about his past history?

Your best bet is to discuss it with your higher ups and come up with a solution.

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Pedophiles are drawn to kids. Unless you're 12 (or look to be age 12), the pedophilia should not be an issue. Personally I'd be more scared of the man with a history of violent rapes of adult women.... but that's just me. (Not that pedophilia is ok or I'd ever let him near children! But your scenario is adult female nurse in home of a male client.)

He needs medical care. If you don't feel comfortable going back, ask to be re-assigned. Or at least ask you go with a 2nd person? If something inappropriate is said, having the 3rd person there makes it more than he-said/she-said.

But keep in mind, many neighborhoods have a sex offender in them. He will not be the last one you meet -- and sometimes you don't find out until later (or not at all) they were a convicted sex offenders. Not to scare you, but those who assault women in non-sexual ways don't end up on public lists. You WILL have more convicts as clients. If you're this uncomfortable, perhaps another line of nursing is better for you?

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I don't care what anyone say; your saftey and well-being comes frist! Go with your instincts, if your scarred you may want to request for a supervised visit when going to his home. Just because he may be attentive to younger children doesn't mean he's not capable of hitting you upside your head to get what he wants for that moment. Sick and premeditated temptation can make a fool to do anything.

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Specializes in Give me a new assignment each time:).

"sex offender" is the term used in a legal sense. As a nurse, you look at him as a psych patient. You are not in the age range 5-13, right? You have to separate your personal condemnation from your professional work. How are you gonna take care of the patient with a compassionate heart if you have made up your mind that something about him is disgusting. I had a patient who showed me daggers that he had taken from a soldier after killing him on a battlefield. I have my own religious beliefs. I had to tell him to stop showing me those pictures because I pracised a religion that opposes killing your fellow man, no matter what the reason is. He understood and he stopped showing me the pictures. I provided care just fine. You might wonna review your psych notes. Addiction, depression, blah blah bah

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Specializes in Give me a new assignment each time:).

That is why your safetly is top priority in Home Health cos you will find yourself in all kinds of neighborhoods and homes.So you keep pepper spray in your pocket. Many male HH nurses carry those too. Safety is crucial. You must learn self defense techniques. Some community colleges have that class. Do not dress provocatively. Do not wear expensive jewellery to work. You must know where your exit signs are. You have to have your cell phone with you in your pocket at all times to be able to call 911. Make sure your cellphone location setting is set to 911. In case you call them and you are not able to talk, they can locate you. It's a GPS technology if your phone has it. If you feel your safety is threatened, leave! You can step out in a tactful manner, call the agency (away from the patient), and be gone!

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Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I found out about his status because another agency refused to go back in the home and informed my agency of his status. As for my age, I AM young, no I am not between 5 and 13, but look like young 20's and he has made multiple comments on the way that I look so saying that I am not in his age preference, I beg to differ!! He got caught for these 4 girls, who knows if there were others! I have been a nurse long enough to understand that I have to put my personal feelings aside to care for this patient, just saying that I do not feel safe doing so and having another nurse go with me is not an option as he resides 1.5hrs away from the agency and I am the only nurse in the area. Guess its pepperspray in my nursing bag!

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Based upon what you have written I would probably ask to be removed from the case. It sounds as if it is only a matter of time before an unfortunate incident. I'm sorry, but this comes through to me even though over the internet.

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Specializes in ER, L&D, ICU, LTC, HH.

I would for my safety refuse to go back. There are way to many sickos out there now days and you never know.

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Specializes in Give me a new assignment each time:).
Based upon what you have written I would probably ask to be removed from the case. It sounds as if it is only a matter of time before an unfortunate incident. I'm sorry, but this comes through to me even though over the internet.

You better use the excuse that you are sick, after a couple days, tell them your availability has changed and so has your geographical preferences. The patient is the agency's customer.

Cos if you tell this to the recruiter or staffing person that you quit outright, they might have a tough time replacing you and when that happens, you might not be their favorite for making their job more difficult. If they give you less hours and less assignment than other nurses, that will be your hint

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