Q. I have been asked to provide nursing care to a family member or member of the community during the pandemic, can I do this?
A. A dual role is when a nurse is asked to provide care or perform an intervention for a family member or friend. Nurses often get these requests when individuals are having a difficult time accessing the health care system. We expect these requests will increase as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Under usual circumstances, NSCN would recommend that a nurse who is asked to care for or perform an intervention for an individual outside the formalized nurse-client relationship should refer them back to their regular health care provider. However, we recognize that we are no longer in usual circumstances.
Although not exhaustive, please consider the following as you decide whether you will provide care or perform the intervention for the individual:
- Do you have the knowledge, skill and judgment (competence) to assess the individual and safely provide care or perform the intervention?
- How are you determining if a provider has prescribed the care or intervention?
- What is the risk to the individual if you provide care? What is the risk if you do not? What strategies can you put in place to minimize the risks?
- How will you protect the individual, others and yourself if you provide care (e.g. using PPE)?
- How will you manage unexpected outcomes?
- Do you have access to all the necessary supplies?
- How will you set clear boundaries so the individual understands you are providing care or performing an intervention as a professional nurse?
- How will you manage future requests when the COVID-19 crisis is resolved?
- Should you reach out to your liability provider: Canadian Nurses Protective Society (RN/NP) or Lloyd Sadd (LPN) for their advice?
We recognize the highly unusual circumstances the COVID-19 pandemic has created. We expect nurses to use their best judgment when making decisions. It is important to note that deviations from usual practices because of the pandemic do not set a precedent for practice post-pandemic.
