Today was "don't open the door for the nurse" day/RANT

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I don't usually work weekends but this weekend I got kind of stuck. Our per diem nurse who does a lot of the weekend visits is away and I didn't look for another per diem nurse to take these cases because they were all incredibly easy and I wanted the extra money. Today I had 3 visits: one dressing change and 2 shots. Not ONE patient answered the door when I got there. I must have wasted a collective half hour banging on doors and ringing doorbells. Everyone was home and everyone knew exactly when I was coming. Is it that hard to keep your ears open when you're expecting someone? If it was a pizza delivery guy, they'd probably have been listening...

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

That had to be frustrating

[morte, LPN, LVN]

?cell phone?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Yup, was calling and texting them too. One's cell phone was "dead" and the other one "didn't hear it". The third was sitting on her porch and her neighbor had to go get her and tell her "the nurse is knocking on your door."

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Time to invest in a Dominoes pizza uniform and an empty pizza box. :)

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Here's a brilliant one from today. Kid's mother knew I was coming and I got there at exactly the same time I told her I would. I'm ringing the buzzer, the dog is barking like crazy and no one is answering the door. Then I hear someone yelling at me from upstairs and the woman throws her keys out the window so that she wouldn't have to come down to let me in. Unreal.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

After you have made reasonable efforts to do the visit then your obligation ends there. Find out exactly what your policy is so you can comply exactly. Often that will fix the problem for any future visits needed. it is very annoying because you have called then driven there and you really want to help the patient and complete the visit. Also for a patient with a history of this I would give them fair warning that once you get to the door that you will not wait if they do not respond because you have other patients also waiting for their nurse. .

I have had this happen many times as well. I have had a lot of problems with phone numbers that do not work or were disconnected. So I make the visit and if no one answers I leave a note at the door an document all attempts to do the visit. Also make sure that you get alternate phone numbers at tha time of visits and ask your patients the best way to get in touch with them. It was a real hassle before cell phones so much easier now.I prefer a pts cell phone and tell them when they are on service they need to keep their phone turned on and close by.

[aTOMicTom]

Unbelievable. Do you get paid anyway if they won't let you in?

I have a theory that more and more adults are stuck in some sort of un-grown-up limbo - children trapped in the bodies of adults, in a way. These folks might be like that: afraid to open the door because that'll cause discomfort (dressing change, shot, social interaction, etc). I blame participation ribbons and unscored sports events. And Nascar.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Unbelievable. Do you get paid anyway if they won't let you in?

I have a theory that more and more adults are stuck in some sort of un-grown-up limbo - children trapped in the bodies of adults, in a way. These folks might be like that: afraid to open the door because that'll cause discomfort (dressing change, shot, social interaction, etc). I blame participation ribbons and unscored sports events. And Nascar.

I'm there for their kids so I don't think that's it. During the week I still get paid because I'm salary but on the weekend, I'm outside of my regular hours so I get the per visit rate. If it's a "Not Home Not Found" visit, they'll only pay $15. All of these people did end up opening the door but it's just obnoxious when people know you're coming and decide that they somehow can't wait an hour to go to the store or do something equally as unimportant.