How much notice when leaving a case?

ventmommy · Nov 2, 2011

Keep in mind that many parents give YOU no notice when they decide they don't like you anymore. For our nurses that had to have surgery, were pregnant or were moving, we got a lot of notice, 3 weeks or more. For our one-night-a-week nurse (we were her only patient) that was back in school for DSN and found a FT job that she loved, she only gave a 1-week notice (as in "I am going to try and come next week but classes are killing me along with my new job so tonight might be my last night unless they can't fill the spot for next week).

If you don't love this family, I wouldn't worry too much about giving more than a few days notice. Are they vindictive? You don't want to give two weeks notice and have the family call the agency and say "I don't want RollerNurse back. Just send the new nurse instead" and then you be out two weeks pay.

Also, most nurses would have already given notice to the agency so the agency would be working on filling the hours. I would make sure that you are signed on with this new agency and have hours lined up. I have seen lots of stories on here by nurses that have been screwed over by agencies so hopefully a nurse or two will chime in here.

LevitateMe, RN · Nov 2, 2011

I do like the family tho I don't agree with a lot of things. But mom has fired a few nurses before for her own reasons with no notice to them. I have to look out for me just like she is going to look out for her. I know mom loves me but nothing surprises me now days and it wouldn't totally surprise me if she let me go before my two weeks because I know shes going to be hurt. I think I'm just going to wait until the pt. Is admitted and has the hours lined up promised to me and then I'll give a week. Sucks but it happens, I have been searching for a better opportunity I can't let it pass me up. :/

caliotter3 · Nov 2, 2011

You are aware that she or the agency may end your notice early, but that should not influence your decision. Two weeks would be sufficient and two weeks more than is often the standard notice in home care. Leaving cases, no matter the reason, does not usually involve a long process, often it is spur of the moment. Do keep in mind that if you decide to do the spur of the moment type of departure, you might affect your future standing with the agency. However, everyone involved has been aware from the beginning that you don't exactly live next door to your present case. I would not be too worried. Insure that when you break the news, that you mention the new opportunity is closer to home. Best wishes.

kids · Nov 2, 2011

Ok I have been on a case for over a year now and have been doing three 12s for the last 6am months or so full time on it. I am moving to another company and taking a new case close to home (this current come is a very far drive for me and mom knows it) my new kiddo is hopefully bring admired to the new company this week so I haven't put my notice in yet because I haven't even met the new kid. My question is whats the rule for notice with pdn? Technically its agency right? I'd like to be able to give mom two weeks notice but oi don't want to mis out on first choice days with this new kid either, and I don't think its a good idea to put in. my notice before she is admitted or before I meet her...... What to do. Is one week notice unprofessional in agency work like this?
Thanks guys

You don't give mom any notice.

You give your employer (the agency) notice and they notify mom.

I'd do the meet and greet with the child and family before doing anything.

If you decide to go with the new agency they will start the scheduling that may have little to nothing to do with your first choice of schedule and everything to do with getting the child staffed. IME setting up new cases the agency will choose an 'anchor' nurse and everyone else will be scheduled around them.

If the child is in the hospital they (typically) won't go home until all the staffing is set which can take weeks or even months so having to give 2 weeks notice shouldn't be an issues. Due to the nature of the business (PDN Peds) NOT giving your old agency at least 2 weeks notice is something the new agency will want you to do and failing to do so will reflect poorly.

To be honest, when I was doing CC for a Peds PDN agency, any offer of employment to a nurse coming from another PDN agency was conditional on the nurse giving 2 weeks notice with their old agency.

systoly · Nov 3, 2011

After, and only after, you have your new case and hours set up, you inform the agency of your new arrangement and if asked you can say that you can work a few more shifts if absolutely necessary. There are no guarantees in agency work and there's no obligation whatsoever to give notice.

systoly · Nov 3, 2011

I thought about this for a minute and I cannot remember one single time when I have given notice and never had a problem getting other cases with the same agency.

SDALPN · Nov 4, 2011

Never give notice unless you are leaving the agency. Then only give the agency notice because they are the ones you work for and they are the ones that will be giving you a reference. If the family is upset because you are leaving they can cause trouble.

I was on a case not too long ago. On my last shift there, I left early. I got someone to cover it by going through the agency and having a "family emergency". I knew the mom would come home and stir up trouble (she loved creating drama). I didn't want to put myself in a bad situation. I also already had a case lined up and other work available before getting off of this other case.

There are few situations where I give families notice of anything. If I plan a vacation, I'll let them know just before the schedule comes out for them to see. If I'm going to be out taking care of family or any health issues I'll talk with the family if they are decent. I'll see if there is a time that is better for them in case the agency can't cover the missing shifts. Then the family feels like they have some control, when really I'll still probably take of the exact days I needed. But it sounds good to the family.

The longer the family has time to think, the more trouble that can be created if they choose to.

LevitateMe, RN · Nov 9, 2011

I do want to give mom a heads up, I have gotten close with them over the year and think it would be poetry crappy not to give mom notice and let her hear it from the agency while I'm still in her house. Thats just courtesy in my opinion, obviously you can't always do that with every family.