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Giving back without crossing the line
Nurse who delivers meals is being asked to provide medical care
NANCY J. BRENT MS, JD, RN
NANCY J. BRENT V
olunteering in any capacity is a way to con- tribute to others that is quite different from a paid position. A volunteer assignment can use
your skills, strengths and other positive attributes in new ways. It also can give you an opportunity to try something new that you have always wanted to experience, but have not had the time to do so. A reader submitted a question about volunteering,
which focused on delivering meals to homebound elderly and staying during mealtime in order to provide some compan- ionship as well. This is a very meaningful way to volunteer, so kudos to the nurse who is giving her time and presence to elderly individuals. However, the nurse wrote
While providing what is more than likely a
much-needed service to the senior in the question, the nurse may be unable to visit with the other senior citizens she is assigned to visit, thus depriving them of food and companionship. It is important to point out that if the nurse were
Most volunteer
associations are VERY CLEAR about what a
that a problem has arisen with her role boundaries because one senior’s relatives wants the nurse to also provide nursing care to the individual in the form of checking vital signs and providing basic care on a regular basis. The nurse wonders if she should do so. One of the foremost issues this nurse will need to
explore is how the volunteer role is defined by the organization. How the organization characterizes the role of the nurse volunteer or any volunteer who pro- vides services to its community group is important. Most volunteer associations are very clear about
what a volunteer can and cannot do. Responsibilities, specific hours required and documenting the time spent volunteering are just a few of the guidelines they usually determine.
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volunteering her time with a clinic or other medical organization that is established to provide home care to elderly citizens, this set of circumstances would be a good fi t for the provision of her care. In addition to being a better
volunteer can and cannot do.
fi t, the fact that she would not be paid for her services while doing so protects her from being sued, should any injury occur while providing those services. Under her state’s statute providing im- munity from suit for healthcare providers who volunteer their services, nurses who wish to vol- unteer may do so without fear of
potential professional liability for ordinary negligence. The nurse also would have the resources and support
of other healthcare practitioners who volunteer their services through the medical organization. Be sure to determine the requirements of the or-
ganization for which you volunteer and stay within those boundaries. The United States Health Volunteer Opportunities website is a good place to start looking for a volunteer opportunity that interests you. •
Nancy J. Brent, MS, JD, RN, brings more than 30 years of experi- ence to her role as
Nurse.com’s legal information columnist.
TO ASK NANCY A QUESTION, email
BrentsLaw@nurse.com.
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