If you're thinking about leaving....

Specialties Private Duty

Published

Specializes in pediatric.

...PDN or just the case you're working on, do you tell the family? Do you tell just the agency? Or both? Does it depend on the relationship you have with the family? I didn't see anything in the policy handbook addressing this, and am curious how others approach this situation. Thanks.

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You are employed by the agency. I would be sure to tell them first. Once you have given your notice, then you can talk with the family about it if you feel comfortable.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

I think it would depend on the situation.

If I'm leaving a particular case because it's just a completely ***** situation, I'd just tell the agency and let them be the ones to tell the family.

If I'm leaving for a different job and had a good relationship with the family, I'd give my notice to both the agency and the family, just out of respect.

I'm currently working a Sat/Sun/Mon job and recently applied for a Thur/Fri job with another agency (to supplement, not replace the current job), and I even "warned" my S/S/M family to not worry if they heard that I'd applied for a different job, because I was only applying for a job that would NOT interfere with my current schedule.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

The agency should be notified first.

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As stated before, it depends on the situation. If there is not an adverse situation you might discuss it with the family. In bad scenarios, one usually tells the agency, "I'm not going back". I have left at the beginning of the shift in extreme circumstances, making sure to state clearly and repeatedly if necessary that I am not accepting care of the patient. Then when I get in the car, I immediately call the agency to inform them about what transpired and why I would not take responsibility for the patient.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

I agree with exactly what was said above. When I made the mistake of telling the family (even though the office was already notified) the family tried to guilt trip me in to staying. It was very awkward and they didn't handle it well. Better to let the agency handle it.

That said, I'm up front with families in certain situations. If I'm driving an hr away until something closer comes up, I'll be honest with the family. I try to be honest about that so they don't get the wrong expectations. It still benefits the family and I. It allows me to train other nurses to help the family and allows me time to find a closer case while still earning a paycheck. When the family asks me directly if I'm going to be their main nurse or there long time, I'm honest.

You may run into the family again in public, or you might need to work for them again in the future. You may even become an office nurse and work at their pcp office. So I keep that in mind while handling situations like that. Good luck!

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Specializes in pediatric.

Thank you for the replies. I would definitely tell the agency first. I ask because the family have asked me straight up, "So... what are your plans after school?" (I'm two weeks away from getting my RN). This was several months ago, and I was honest with them ("My plan is to get through chemistry, finish nursing school, and beyond that I don't know.").

Well now graduation is upon me, and I know that I do not want to stay in PDN, but will stay employed while I look around. I gave the agency a one year commitment, which I will honor (comes up in July). I have also been told by other nurses on the case that once the family found out about their former day nurse leaving, they treated her really bad- enough so that she didn't even stick around for the two weeks.

I think that once I give notice to the agency, I will tell the family and let the chips fall where they may. If they mistreat me, I will leave sooner and it will be their loss, but I hope that is not the case, for the sake of everyone, especially the patient.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.
Thank you for the replies. I would definitely tell the agency first. I ask because the family have asked me straight up, "So... what are your plans after school?" (I'm two weeks away from getting my RN). This was several months ago, and I was honest with them ("My plan is to get through chemistry, finish nursing school, and beyond that I don't know.").

Well now graduation is upon me, and I know that I do not want to stay in PDN, but will stay employed while I look around. I gave the agency a one year commitment, which I will honor (comes up in July). I have also been told by other nurses on the case that once the family found out about their former day nurse leaving, they treated her really bad- enough so that she didn't even stick around for the two weeks.

I think that once I give notice to the agency, I will tell the family and let the chips fall where they may. If they mistreat me, I will leave sooner and it will be their loss, but I hope that is not the case, for the sake of everyone, especially the patient.

Just a thought, with new grad RNs having trouble finding work til the year of experience thing, it may be good to stay as an RN for a bit. Congrats to you for moving up!

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Specializes in pediatric.

Yes, as stated, I will stay until I find other employment, however long it takes ;) Thanks for the congrats- it's been a long journey!

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Even the nicest families can turn into not so nice families. I have a great family, but they an get ugly over just having my own emergency situation come up. In the end, no matter how nice they are, they are always looking out for their own best interest. If you upset that interest, sometimes people can be immature. Just always remember your place there as a professional, because otherwise it can drive you crazy.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! It's an awesome moment.

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