What would you have done?

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Specializes in Emergency.

So, I went to the Free Clinic in my area this evening to volunteer, as I have been doing the past 3 months. They are always short on Nurses and need them to do Triage and Screening for the patients. Well, I usually don't smoke when I'm there because there are so many patients, but tonight I had had a stressful day and really had the urge to smoke. There were 3 other Nurses there to triage patients, so I left for about 10 minutes to go out to my car and have a quick smoke. I come back in, and the director tells me "Hey, can you do me a favor?" So I replied with

"Sure, what can I do for you?" and she says "Please don't smoke again on my clock". OH MY GOD!!! :angryfire

So I replied back "Oh, I'm sorry... I thought I was volunteering my time here for free, but don't worry about it, I'll never be on your clock again."

And I packed up my stuff and left. I hate this, its rediculous. How can they treat people like this who are there to help for free?? There are no obligations at this place. All anyone needs to do is come in and say "I'll volunteer" I doubt they were even check to see if you were licensed.

What would you have if this were you?

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Wow that director sounds really mean!

Wouldn't you know if they check references if they hired you as a volunteer...didnt they check out your credentials before letting you triage?

I would have said the same thing...its not like you were doing anything illegal - it would be the same amount of time as going to the bathroom or going to the vending machine. And its not like your getting paid...your volunteering your free time to help out!

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Specializes in Emergency.

No, they never checked my credentials. All I told them was that I was in Nursing School. Thank you so much for agreeing me. It just really ****** me off!! I can remember nights when I was there to triage 50 patients BY MYSELF. I was there from 4:30pm to 10pm. They're loss I guess.

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It's kind of scary that they aren't checking references and credentials of medical staff. Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

The woman was out of line. I bet she's the reason they are often short on nurses.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

You did the right thing. I they want help, they need to learn to be a bit more appriciative, and a lot less dictarorial. Don't need the help- OK no skin off your nose.

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They are always short on Nurses and need them to do Triage and Screening for the patients....

There were 3 other Nurses there to triage patients...

All anyone needs to do is come in and say "I'll volunteer" I doubt they were even check to see if you were licensed.

You mention their need for 'nurses, 'other' nurses, and that you doubt they check for license... then state you're in nursing school. Are you an LPN?
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1. Are you a nurse or a nursing student? If you are not licensed you are not legally allowed to triage anybody, volunteer or paid.

2. While the director could have handled it better, I understand the feelings about the smoking......not that you smoke, but that you smoke in your car, which I doubt was in motion with the windows down. If you smoked in a stationary car even if the windows were wide open (which I doubt in January in VA), you more than likely reeked. Reeking of any scent, be it tobacco or perfume, is not a good thing when around sick people. That's one of the first things nursing schools teach.

Sorry.......while I commend you for volunteering for a worthy cause and agree that it could have been handled better, I'm on the director's side on this one.

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I agree, tazzi. In his first post, the OP implies he is a nurse. If someone hadn't asked him about the clinic checking credentials, I'm betting that most of us would have continued to think he's a nurse. Unless he is an LPN, I have a problem with this (legalities regarding triage aside).

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.
I agree, tazzi. In his first post, the OP implies he is a nurse. If someone hadn't asked him about the clinic checking credentials, I'm betting that most of us would have continued to think he's a nurse. Unless he is an LPN, I have a problem with this (legalities regarding triage aside).

He is only 19 per his info and a student so I doubt he is a LPN.

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He is only 19 per his info and a student so I doubt he is a LPN.

I saw that; just giving him a bit of wiggle room ;)

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There were 3 other Nurses there to triage patients, so I left for about 10 minutes to go out to my car and have a quick smoke.

Yah, that's the problem.

Don't smoke in an enclosed space. Gases are fluids in terms of the way they move. They stick to and move along surfaces. Smoke outdoors facing downwind. If there's no breeze don't stay in the same spot.

Plus don't smoke a cigarette down to the end. The best tobacco filter is tobacco. Smoke no more than 2/3 of what you can and your fingers and face won't smell.

If a cold drink is part of your break, as it is for me, it follows the smoke. Also Purell your hands on your way back in the building.

Nonsmokers are surprised to learn I'm a smoker because they never smell it on me.

For reasonable people, it's not an issue that you're a smoker. It's just an issue if they can smell it, because if they can smell it, for sure your patients will, and it can make some of them ill.

And if your co-workers are trying to quit, the smell of smoke on you may be difficult for them.

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Specializes in ICU.

i'm a fan of never burning any bridges, as you never know who knows who, etc....if you're a nursing student, it would've be nice to show your future employers your volunteer experience and the ability to work with all types of people (whether they annoy you or not)

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