I have a delima

**erinalexmom** · 02-01-2011, 09:00 PM

Ok I am a home health nurse. Our county and the next are now under snow emergencies. They say only emergency vehicles. But I have a client who is a quadrapeligic. Well if I dont go there he doesnt eat and no one lets his dog out and so I am going for sure. No matter what. But here is the problem. If I get pulled over I have no way to prove what I am and where I am going (we have no company ID's, which is dumb I know but not my decision) I could carry my nursing license with me. Do you think that would work? Or anyone have any other ideas?

**craftypam** · 02-01-2011, 09:07 PM

God bless you for going anyway!!! I would go and take your nursing license and show it to them if you get stopped and explain the situation. And if they give you a ticket anyway; I'd go to court. If you were to have to go to court could you get any proof to take to prove the situation? If not how about taking a picture of your patient with todays newspaper and date showing. Don't know if this would work or if its something ok to do, just trying to help

Could you call the police station and ask them about the situation before you leave. Could they possibly deny you to go considering the situation. This was an after thought after I typed the top paragraph

**krbshappy71** · 02-01-2011, 09:08 PM

I'm doubting anyone would be making that story up. If they really cared they could follow you, for your own safety, and verify for themselves.

**ladytoysdream** · 02-01-2011, 09:09 PM

Not sure what to suggest but you should have some kind of paperwork on you to prove why you are on the road. Do you work for a agency ? Or privately ?

My hubby works for a highway dept, and they had to take a course that gave them a special id piece of paperwork that in a emergency with roads closed, that they can drive and be able to get to work. If stopped, they just show that certificate to any law officer and can then proceed to their destination.

**bumplett** · 02-01-2011, 09:13 PM

Under circumstances like that, wouldn't an EMC or police officer go to his home instead?

((that's just assuming that you couldn't))

??

Be safe.

**ladytoysdream** · 02-01-2011, 09:27 PM

A snow emergency with roads shut down means just that.
Emergency and medical people are normally allowed on the road, but should have some kind of proof on them.

Years ago, when the hubby worked for a factory that made fire trucks, it was in the next county over. About 14 miles one way. Our county was shut down for a snow emergency. The other county was not shut down, and the factory expected people to come into work. I forget now if the hubby went to work or not that day. I will have to ask him tomorrow.

**Ceashels** · 02-01-2011, 09:50 PM

A copy of your nursing license would be plenty. If they refuse to let you travel please take out your phone and dial 911 and send them to your patient's home as he will need assistance. And by all means, do this in front of the officer that won't let you travel.

Good luck and be safe.

**erinalexmom** · 02-01-2011, 09:55 PM

I work for an agency but they dont give us an ID badge. This annoys me to no end I can tell you because of situations like this. They make it hard on us workers.I'm sure I could get some kind of paperwork/documents if I get called into court. I also might call the police station. These are all really good ideas

thank you! Some of my clients are a "choice" this one is definitly not. He is only out of a nursing home because of myself and the other staff that work with him. Its a very rewarding job for sure. I feel very blessed to care for him because he has such a positive additude toward life and always has a smile and kind word for me. I think I have problems and then I realize he can stay so upbeat in such circumstances and I know that my problems are small in comparrison and I try to improve my additude

I am a much better person for knowing this man

**erinalexmom** · 02-01-2011, 09:57 PM

Thanks Cea! good point! I bet he would change his mind real quick then huh? LOL

**Rhiamon** · 02-01-2011, 10:01 PM

I think that calling the police ahead of time is great they might even just offer you an escort.

**Ramona** · 02-01-2011, 10:14 PM

Carry your nursing license and a recent salary check stub. Then, if you're hassled, do as the OP said and call 911 from the traffic stop. Bless you for this.

**McD** · 02-01-2011, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by erinalexmom

Thanks Cea! good point! I bet he would change his mind real quick then huh? LOL

Or she.

I would call ahead and ask what the local PD advises. While you certainly can't leave your patient to fend for yourself, there may be another alternative (i.e. an officer or EMT) could go and provide base care so that you don't have to put yourself and other emergency workers on the road at risk of any sort of danger.

**mauimagic** · 02-01-2011, 10:37 PM

What a good person you are - bet you are really good at your job because it comes from your heart. Be careful out there and let us know what happens.

**Missourimom** · 02-01-2011, 10:40 PM

I work for a home health agency...I'm not an RN, "just" a CNA, but I'm shocked your company doesn't provide ID badges. I've never heard of that before. It seems you would need something to identify yourself, especially to patients with dementia.

I agree with the other posters, I'd carry your nursing license and if you were pulled over, I'd call the office and let them speak to the officer. Maybe then the agency will finally see the errors of their ways.

Good luck tomorrow.