Did I make the right decision

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Yesterday during my shift I received a call from my agency that my pt's mother had decided to give 2 of my days to the weekend nurse. I at that time requested another case. I made the decision not to return to this case. I have been on this case since January and never had any complaints. However I was off on sick leave for 3 weeks a couple of months ago in which the weekend nurse filled in. Since then well even before then I've felt like the other nurse was trying to sabotage me. Also she was trying to get the mother to switch the case to another agency. I told the agency this.

So did I make the right decision to not continue with this case. Do you think the agency will give me another case or will they consider that I "quit"?

I think I have enough experience that I can find work elsewhere. I start RN school in two weeks anyways so might have had to change my jobs anyways

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You did the right thing to quit the case, which is probably what the client was pushing for anyway, by doing such a despicible thing toward you. The agency is chicken feces for going along with it. Ask for another case but actively seek employment elsewhere. Since you are going to start school anyway you might want to wait until after school starts to see what kind of schedule you want and are able to conveniently work. And knowing the agency that you work for, I would not hold my breath while waiting for another case from them anyway. They don't care if you work, in case you haven't figured that out. Sorry to hear this happened to you.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Yeah. I have a sneaky feeling the weekend nurse convinced the mom that she couldn't make it on 2 days a week and that since I was younger and had a husband and was going to RN school that I really didn't NEED the money as much as she did.

Well she'll get what she deserves. Weekend nurse has a loose concept of showing up on time. When the pt goes back to school she'll need to be there at 6am otherwise pt's misses the bus

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He, he, he. Let's see how the client likes it when little backstabber starts showing up late during the week!

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Yeah well since the last few months I've been having to knock for many minutes before being let in the morning maybe that was my problem. Too on time!

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That could very well be the problem, or at least part of the problem. I actually called my agency and went home on at least two occasions with one of my clients, when they wouldn't roust to answer the door. Give me easy money and I will sleep in every day too. As a matter of fact, she used to sleep until close to noon quite often. When the agency talked to her about me leaving, she came up with the brilliant idea to leave her front door unlocked for me to let myself in. In one of those "choice" neighborhoods, as if I wanted to be doing that. Good luck finding another case and/or another employer.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

It irritates the cr*p out of me when parents/patients and nurses make side deals with (in most cases) other people's money. :madface: If the agency had any b@lls they would tell them it isn't their job to schedule their coverage even when in most cases agencies will accomodate the request.

The only thing it accomplishes is teaching "clients" how to jack nurses around for their own benefit, as well as roll out the red carpet for manipulative behavior such as you experienced. The "agency musical chairs" game is another one that seems to be rampant with some people. Often 1 nurse with an agenda can convince the patient to change agencies, perhaps because they need the $100-150 bounty they are paid by the receiving agency. It forces all of the other nurses on the case to go through the bs of a new hire all over again or lose all of their hours with the patient.

I don't blame you a bit for quitting the case. The minute I feel used and as if I'm expected to be a doormat for my pay I'll just have to go elsewhere even if it is a struggle. Sorry that happened to you--- but I would not be even a little surprised if in a few weeks they come crawling back with a sob story about their life and won't you please take pity on them. Normally that works, because I do feel bad for them, but if they treat you like a yo-yo more than once it's hasta la vista baby! Best wishes to you!!

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I'm sorry to hear that this has happened to you. I do feel like Mom doesn't trust me. I sometimes wonder if the family I work with likes the other nurse better than me. The other nurse is not manipulative and is a good nurse. Does this kind of thing happen very often in private duty where they cut your days and give some of your days to the other nurse? I sometimes worry that my days will be cut and given to the other nurse. Am I being paranoid or realistic? I am presently looking for a prn job to have just in case.:crying2:

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I have been asked to adjust my days/hours in response to another nurses' manipulative behavior and I have told the client exactly how the other nurse on the case can go about getting more work instead of depriving me of my livelihood.

It happens often enough, particularly when you have a client who desires that "in control" feeling of pushing less "desirable" nurses around in favor of those with pushy demeanors. A good agency will not abrogate their responsibility for assignment of personnel. A bad agency does not care if they lose nurses for this reason.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Blackcat,

Unfortunately your fears are realistic. My first case I was offered and I loved the hours, location and family. I was replacing a nurse that went AWOL for 3 weeks and then called the mother and asked to come back and I got turfed off it. I was ok with it. Now in my case I had to take 3 weeks off in May because I broke my arm and couldn't safely lift the patient. The other nurse filled in and probably thought I was never coming back. I did and my pt's mom gave me my hours back.

So yeah what happened to me the mom did to the nurse I replaced 3 months ago. The reason I was replacing her was BS. Apparently she talked to much or something minor.

But seriously what I think it is, it that I managed t get pt to start walking and pt's mom kept on missing the first few steps.

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Thanks caliotter3 and tothepointeLVN.;) I am sorry to hear that my fears are indeed realistic. Yes, I just don't get that "feeling of security" with my present job. I don't think the agency cares if I work or not. I'm sure my agency would say "Don't worry. We found another client for you. He's only lives a 100 miles away from you. Can you start with him tomorrow?" That's what I like about this client. He's only 15 minutes from my place. It seems that the majority of the other clients live so far away from me.:crying2: Anyway, I go to work, I do my very best and that's all I can do. If they get rid of me then that is "their loss." I am very dependable and I do a good job.:up:

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Specializes in med-surg, teaching, cardiac, priv. duty.

Sadly it is often the dependable, professional nurse that does a good job, that is booted or forced off the case....because the manipulative nurse (who also gives shoddy care) has wrapped the family around their finger. And, the family is blind to it. (But, of course, manipulative family can be part of it as well...)

I was forced off a case once....even though I was the good guy! It is so very rare to get vindication in life. Usually you just have to live with the injustice. But I was vindicated...The manipulative nurse giving unsafe care...the situation finally blew up in her face big time! She was fired. And the agency and family begged me to return to the case. I did. The family treated me much nicer after this and was so appreciative that I returned. They even admitted their wrong doing and apologized for not listening to my concerns. I was in shock! haha! So rare this happens in any realm of life!

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