Time to Say Good Bye

[KATRN78]

Ugh. Its time for me to say good bye to a dear client and her family. They are amazingly nice people who I have enjoyed working with. My problem is that my patient is getting to big for me. 150 lbs teenager is too much for my back to handle. I want to protect my back since I have another 35 years of work ahead of me.

I am dreading saying good bye and telling them that I am leaving. Any suggestions on how to break it to them?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Just be honest.

[eeffoc_emmig]

Are you using a lift?

[caliotter3]

If you don't want to have that conversation, let the agency handle it. You have no obligation and may want to avoid any attempts to guilt trip you into staying against your better judgment.

[ceebeejay]

Patient/family should ask for a lift from their case manager for the safety of the patient. Nobody should be lifting 150 lbs outside of an Olympic event. Otherwise, I'd just tell the agency.

[KATRN78]

Yes, I do use a hoyer lift. However, the child is still too heavy. You have to boost her in bed, reposition her in the wheelchair, roll her around in bed. She is contracted and very tight, she is a total assist. Its just too much for me.

[eeffoc_emmig]

Yes, I do use a hoyer lift. However, the child is still too heavy. You have to boost her in bed, reposition her in the wheelchair, roll her around in bed. She is contracted and very tight, she is a total assist. Its just too much for me.

Well, if that's the case...I think I would do what someone else suggested and let the agency explain it. The family will most likely try the lovely guilt trip...or they may do the opposite and make the remaining days awful.

Either way, YOUR health and safety is more important. You are the only one who can/will look out for your wellbeing. Good luck.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

What about using transfer mats? Like this one for repositioning/boosting in bed and this one for preventing slipping in the chair?

[KATRN78]

I did resign. I told Mom and she was calm, sad but understanding. I am very sad but as nurses we need to acknowledge our limitations.