Lakewood pediatrician Dr. Reuven Shanik issued the following notice after recent incidents involving private nurses hired in Lakewood.
In one recent incident, a nurse seriously injured a child and then fled the home. She is being sought by authorities.
Dr. Shanik urges background checks for any nurses or others brought into your home.
As they say if you wouldn’t trust them with your wallet how can you trust them with your kids???
So true! My sister recently had a baby nurse for a few weeks, and only after she left did she realize some terrible things that happened. We trust the agencies to provide us with competent nurses who have clean backgrounds, but can we trust them??
Thanks dr for your concern
like always wanting the best for us
Just to understand the article in one recent case a nurse has injured herself or another person??
The nurse seriously injured the child. Then she had to suddenly leave for an emergency. Only after she departed by bus did they realize their child was not moving as he should and found him horribly injured.
Never understood how people leave their vulnerable babies in the care of others… don’t get me wrong caring for a newborn is exhausting but did we get too accustomed to just hiring nurses and placing our trust in them… it’s almost like a standard by now something to rethink and talk over with rav if you want my opinion god gave us the children to raise if we cant then lets think….
Sometimes the mother is unable to care for yhe baby due to illness
People can also have multiples, preemies or a baby with a medical condition. Or various other reasons why they need to hire outside help. Don’t judge.
Thanks for your concern,but not sure why we need a doctor to warn us about this. It’s common sense.
But if a rav would say it,we would scream that he’s being to close minded….did anyone ever consult a rav or any smart person before hiring a nurse to care for your most precious asset?!
The authorities should investigate the agency how much they new about the person they send it to a newborn baby , u paying agency a lot of money they should be responsible also , cuz u trust them but from my experience sometimes they don’t even meet up with u to see who u are just sending u to a family it’s crazy
Nanny cameras should be in the room , we talking bout a newborn babies , we can’t trust ourself sometimes , then specially a “stranger” that coming to your house and is in your house with your baby when u sleep … I can’t understand being a mother to have someone to take care my newborn , from what I see it’s in ” style” to have a nurse for me if someone it’s ill then yes but a healthy women-mother sorry but to look at our mothers who have 4,5 and more kids and they did all without any help
The baby nurse my daughter hired used to sing gospel songs to my grandchild!
A camera isn’t enough! Baby can be in the carriage, she can take her for a walk, go to the bathroom to change her…
It’s all about $$$. The official agencies that screen their nurses for illnesses and do background checks are triple the price of the ones providing nurses from the Caribbean islands, knowing little to nothing about the women you are to enstrust your baby with.
Sadly, you cannot expect your standards to be met by agency people. Family, as much as possible, should spend as much time as possible with caring for your children.
The agencies don’t take any responsibility. I used one of the well known agencies now, the nurse told me she even gave them a fake name! (I asked her for a copy of her ID)
I have use a baby nurse for my last 3 kids.
An absolute life saver.
Kind and caring each and every time.
I had twins and had a nurse from a local agency for a couple of months. I was provided references and did my research. And had a very positive experience. I was always able to walk in on her unannounced and had cameras right outside her room. I didn’t think I was allowed to have cameras in her room. (She slept with babies)
As my job entitles me to be in peoples houses…. I have seen horrible things before my eyes with these nurses when the family is not in the room … this is when I a strangef to them was around how much more so when we are not there to look and see …
Thank you Dr. Shanik you could be saving children’s lives by this advise pls heed his words if you care about your child
I never had a nurse with any of my children. However, I wouldn’t knock anyone that does. It’s not my nor anyone else’s place judge others. Our imahos had nurses so its not something new. In general, you need to be wary of any stranger you bring to your home. Thanx doctor shanik for bringing this to our attention.
Mrs. Shanik is a Tzadekes
She also happens to hire baby nurses for people as an act of chesed.
The message is not rocket science and in no way is negative towards hiring nurses.
I recently had an aid sent by a local agency to help an elderly relative. We later found out that he was recently released from prison. You need to do your own research, don’t rely on anyone.
Does anyone remember the wonderful baby nurse Millie? I used when my daughter was born 21 years ago.She also took care of me when I was a newborn. What a wonderful baby nurse!! They don’t come like that anymore! She knew so many people and was a terrific Yenta. What great memories we have of her.
Why bother to call them nurses? It is your responsibility as a parent to check out those you hire to care for your kids. Like the person upthread said, if you won’t trust them with your wallet…
These baby “nurses” are not nurses- a nurse is a registered or licensed professional nurse who is accredited by the state. These people are caregivers, not nurses. To those actual pediatric nurses working with sick infants in the home- kudos to you!
I am sure some are good and caring while others just do it for the money, and who knows if they care about their little charges.