The OTHER nurse cleans... hint, hint

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

I work in a home that's quite beautiful, but really cluttered and not very clean. You know the type- a microwave you cringe to put your food into, gross flaky-things on the back rim of the toilet... Anyway, right after New Year's I noticed some cleaning had been done, yey! New resolution? Nope! After a few days the mom mentioned that the newer nurse gets bored so she cleans. I wasn't sure if Mom was hinting or what. I sort of laughed and told her she's lucky because that's not what she's paid for, that she's doing her a freebie. I told her I had no problems doing her child's laundry, though. But she hasn't taken me up on it. Do you have other nurses on your cases doing things that parents are starting to expect from you too?

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One way or another, frequently I've come across these "boundary" issues, on several cases. I think on the last case, the nurse felt 'threatened' by me, so one passive aggressive hint from her was to leave a note about what she was doing for the family. The next shift, the note was gone, after I would have had a chance to see it. Other than that, there was the mom telling me, "Nursie X does this and Nursie X does that, and then Nursie X doesn't do that" etc., etc., etc. You get the picture. Then I am placed in the position of having to keep my mouth shut because I can't tell the agency all of what Nursie X is up to. After all, it is the Nursie X show and I better not tread on toes. Nursie X doesn't follow the rule book and doesn't have to, the client is backing her up. It does get to be old very fast.

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Yes!!! This is going on big time at a current case I am on. In addition, one of the other nurses regularly buys food and supplies for the client. The family has come to expect it. It is very frustrating to other nurses working here!! Please don't cross boundaries- it really makes for an unpleasant work atmosphere.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

This always makes things bad for the other nurses on the case. Report three nurse to your supervisor. Nothing will probably be done, but at least you have reported it. Even better if it's in writing to cover yourself. You could always report the nurse to the insurance company since they aren't allowed to do that by most insurance rules.

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I will only do what applies to my clients. They are high risk for infections, so I keep their environment acceptable. I will not vaccum and load dishwashers. I will keep whatever is going to come in contact with my clients sanitary. The other RN's have done other "chores". I can't keep my own house clean because of work and I am going to clean your house? I think, no.

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

When a toilet hasn't been cleaned in months it's tempting to give it a swish (since I have to use it myself) but I don't want anyone to get used to it so I just paper down the seat or hover.

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When a toilet hasn't been cleaned in months it's tempting to give it a swish (since I have to use it myself) but I don't want anyone to get used to it so I just paper down the seat or hover.

Cleaning the bathroom in on our list of duties. Agency agreed to it, I guess, in the beginning of this case.

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Specializes in pediatric.

"I can't keep my own house clean because of work and I am going to clean your house? I think, no."

This! ;)

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.
Cleaning the bathroom in on our list of duties. Agency agreed to it, I guess, in the beginning of this case.

I can see it if it's the client's exclusive/shared bathroom by the bedroom, I can see that. But if it were the family's downstairs/main bathroom, uh, no, that's not right.

I think it depends on the dx. For example, I work/ed with several quad clients in their college dorms. In that case you're there for all things, including HHA work when there's no HHA. So garbage removal, sweeping, dusting, etc. is part of the ct's needs. But if it's a small child and there's able-bodied adults in the household, well, if you ask me to take out the kitchen garbage (like a mom hinted once) that's crossing a line.

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I can see it if it's the client's exclusive/shared bathroom by the bedroom, I can see that. But if it were the family's downstairs/main bathroom, uh, no, that's not right.

I think it depends on the dx. For example, I work/ed with several quad clients in their college dorms. In that case you're there for all things, including HHA work when there's no HHA. So garbage removal, sweeping, dusting, etc. is part of the ct's needs. But if it's a small child and there's able-bodied adults in the household, well, if you ask me to take out the kitchen garbage (like a mom hinted once) that's crossing a line.

The child wears diapers and never goes in the bathroom (it's a half bath).

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

Some families will push you as far as they can. I'd answer with that is very nice of her, and go on about my business. You aren't the housekeeper or the maid, don't get caught up in it.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I think it really boils down to what sort of personnel are running your agency. Bless those who follow state guidelines on funding of skilled nursing hours.

eeffoc_emmig-- for me it would be a cold day in the hot place before I'd be wiping up pubes and dried body fluids in a bathroom my patient never uses! I hope that otherwise it's a really, really good case.....;-).....;-)

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