Suggestions...

[SDALPN]

I work a case here and there. Its 10 hour shifts. Its already boring because the kid only has a feeding tube. Not my kind of case, but I need the hours. The mom is retired and is about 70 years old. Her generation is different than ours. She doesn't allow nurses to use cell phones, bring tablets/laptops. A nurse had her cell die and she plugged it in without asking to be able to make emergency calls and she let the nurse go for not asking to charge her phone. This mom brags about letting nurses go. She lets nurses go over silly things. The office staff even has made comments about how picky she is. So to top that off, the only thing for the kid to watch (kid blind and deaf) is DVDs of wheel of fortune, cash cab, and teletubbies. They have cable, but claim the kid doesn't like TV. 10 hours is too long to be stuck doing nothing like that. If there was more to do with the kid, I wouldn't care. Oh yeah, and she has a camera and sits watching the monitor all day. Any thoughts on how I can get her to let us watch something other than wheel of fortune reruns? Or even phone use? Right now, I just drink lots so I can take frequent bathroom breaks to check phone and break up my day. The mom likes me, but I know that could change quickly. Can't trust her at all. She told me if I would do nights that I could "test out the recliner and that 4,5,6 hours of sleep can really make you feel refreshed". I declined. I don't do nights and don't sleep. Any suggestions on things I can do to avoid boredom?

[systoly]

perhaps she's a control freak, but she sounds like she's very suspicious

with false believes

i really like brilloheads suggestion

perhaps ask your agency to give you some reading material

maybe if it was in a folder with the agencies name on it

if the case is not too far to drive, could you split shifts

with someone else to lessen the duration of torture

do you know, or can you find out what interests/jobs she had

earlier in her life

perhaps she'd be open to discuss these and then let you read about it

i wish you the best (nothing worse than watching the clock)

[smurfynursey]

and I thought 12 hours of spongebob was torture! I think WoF suppases HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (in the most annoying voice possible, of course)

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

See now...cases like this (AND I AM RUNNING ACROSS THEM MORE FREQUENTLY) are why I am feeling forced to leave home care.

There is no way I could even do one shift like that. I think what that parent expects is just ALL kinds of ridiculous. Parents like that need a big fat dose of expectation management...

Maybe I'm bitter cuz the current parent I have makes us bring our own TP and won't let us use her fridge, micro, or sink.

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[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

Don't people like this woman (client) ever run out of nurses that will take their cases?

That is most likely precisely why the agency assigned OP to the case. It sounds like no one else can stomach the assignment.

Lots of parents swear their blind child can see and their deaf child can hear. They don't want to believe reality or accept it.

This. I've had parents of comatose quads insist that their son/daughter WOULD get up and walk- they were so sure this would one to pass that 1.) They slept with a baby monitor so if DD/DS awoke and began walking in NOC shift, they would be made aware and 2.) They refused to give pain meds or any sedating meds in case this would "impede" child from "snapping out of it" YES THOSE WERE EXACT WORDS

YES!! I guess they have to be concerned with customer service in order to keep the children as clients, but I wish they wouldn't cater to unreasonable demands so much. They kiss way too much sassy behind.

You wouldn't frock in' BELIEVE some of the things my current agency has done to please picky parents. Shift changes in the mall? Sending nurses an hour away to work an 8 hour shift at a camp in the middle of nowhere (no power)

and I thought 12 hours of spongebob was torture! I think WoF suppases HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (in the most annoying voice possible of course)[/quote']

See, I had a case like that- not so bad when you can sit side by side w/ kiddo and you can be on device of choice- then tis almost heavenly!

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[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

I had a case much like this and dropped it. I just couldn't (or wouldn't) be watched every minute of my entire shift like that after I had been there for several shifts and more or less "proved" myself. Of course I might be the same way in the parents' position, but it makes for an almost hostile work environment.[/quote']

I won't work where there's cameras after two horrifying experiences in homes with them.

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[SDALPN]

I'm not off the case, but I'm not scheduled there for the next 2 months. I scheduled myself on the says they need coverage. Can't say I won't need hours there again, but at least I'm avoiding it for a while! My main case now is a developmentally normal almost 2 year old who keeps me busy and active. No time for TV except cartoons. And no time for phone unless its nap or bedtime. Family a bit nutty, but I keep to myself and mostly I'm not bothered. Hopefully, I can avoid that case for a while!

[Sam J.]

What gives with so many PDN families that are so 'nasty'? It's not like most of them are paying for the nurse (as in, not many cases are of the 'country club' arena?). Are they bitter over having a sick child? Is it a sense of entitlement on their part ("I have a private duty NURSE taking care of MY kid!"). Are they intimidated by the fact that the nurse may be better educated than they are, themselves? Lots of them seem to act as though they are antagonistic towards the nurses, so what the 'Sam hell' gives? If I ever needed such a service for my own child, I'd be 'eternnally' grateful, and make every effort to welcome that nurse, and show my appreciation. Even though I've done the home nursing thing, and have experienced some nasty people myself, I'm not sure I understand what is going on.

[SDALPN]

What gives with so many PDN families that are so 'nasty'? It's not like most of them are paying for the nurse (as in not many cases are of the 'country club' arena?). Are they bitter over having a sick child? Is it a sense of entitlement on their part ("I have a private duty NURSE taking care of MY kid!"). Are they intimidated by the fact that the nurse may be better educated than they are, themselves? Lots of them seem to act as though they are antagonistic towards the nurses, so what the 'Sam hell' gives? If I ever needed such a service for my own child, I'd be 'eternnally' grateful, and make every effort to welcome that nurse, and show my appreciation. Even though I've done the home nursing thing, and have experienced some nasty people myself, I'm not sure I understand what is going on.[/quote']

I've wondered the same thing. It seems as if there are almost never "normal" parents in this job. Or are we the only sane ones left? Haha! I thought surveys said we are in the most trusted profession...they sure didn't interview the parents I've worked for!

[caliotter3]

I'm not off the case, but I'm not scheduled there for the next 2 months. I scheduled myself on the says they need coverage. Can't say I won't need hours there again, but at least I'm avoiding it for a while! My main case now is a developmentally normal almost 2 year old who keeps me busy and active. No time for TV except cartoons. And no time for phone unless its nap or bedtime. Family a bit nutty, but I keep to myself and mostly I'm not bothered. Hopefully, I can avoid that case for a while!

It will be nice if "awhile" can be turned into "for good".