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Discussion

Leaving patient

Sorry if this topic has already been discussed, I looked around and couldn't find any advice on this subject. Let me first tell you a little background... I am currently an LPN who works for a home health company. I have worked for my current company for 4 years. (The only other nursing experience I had before home health was about 7 months working 1 day per week at a prison). As time goes on, I have become less and less happy with the company I work for. I have been on my current case for 5 months... I am the primary nurse here, pretty much the only nurse. It is a 11pm-7am case. I have had 3a other full time cases before my current, and this is by far the "best" I have had (in other words, it is a clean environment that has no health dept/adult protective services/children services involved) and I am very attached to my client and his family. The problem is the company I work for... I have been the only nurse here for 3 months, with another nurse who picks up 1 day per week sometimes. That means I have been working every weekend and have had over time every week for 3 months. And this entire time they have supposed to been finding another nurse to help. They haven't when trained anyone here, and there is no indication that they are even looking (no ads in the newspaper, not even an ad in our newsletter). I do not have any opportunities with this company - I have also only have a 25 cent raise in the 4 years I've been here (other nurses haven't gotten raises either). We have no paid time off days, we don't even get any non-paid sick days. We get vacation pay based on the average hours worked the previous year, so if you work there 10 years you will still only have your 40 hour vacation. Anyways... on to my point, sorry for ranting so much. I have interviewed and have accepted a position working 7p-7a in a ltc facility.....where I know an RN and 2 STNAs, I have heard nothing but wonderful things about this facility and the company who owns it. I have given notice to my home health company that I will be going to part time/prn status there. My dilemma is - I 1) do not know how to tell my patient and his family this news and 2) I am feeling very guilty and worried they won't find another nurse to cover here. I have thought about not taking this new opportunity because of these worries. Does anyone have any experience with this and have any advice for me? I would greatly appreciate it. Also, any advice about transitioning to ltc? This is my first time!

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    • Author

    Just wanted to make something a little more clear.... I'm not leaving because of the money, etc.... the main reason is how they are stretching me so thin. I am beyond worn out, I can't keep doing what I have been. I've spoken to the company about this more than once, and they have not offered any solutions. The 3 12s available at the ltc facility will be a welcome change! Also, I am excited to experience something new. I love to learn, and I know there are many things I will get familiar with in ltc that I won't in home health. I'm ready for something new. (Also, sorry for the errors... I'm typing from my phone.)

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    • Expert

    Your post started out as if you were describing some of my hh employment. I can't really say anything about your transition to ltc. If you feel stretched thin now, while working for only one client, I can only imagine that you won't find much relief going to ltc. I went from ltc to hh and haven't looked back. I will take working with one client over being responsible for 80 residents any day of the week and twice on Sunday. That is just my take on it. I loved working 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week, or 8 hour shifts, 7 days a week in hh. Those were the times when I could support myself and my family. Now that no employer will allow me even one minute of overtime, and they don't give me any work when my patient is in the hospital for a month, I can't pay my rent, get eviction notices, and stopped supporting my family more than three years ago. So, getting stretched thin as you describe it, sounds like heaven to me. Just a matter of perspective.

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    • Author

    I mean stretched thin as far as working 6-7 nights per week.... I don't mean the job duties. If I worked days it might be different. It is emotionally draining to not get to sleep in the same bed as my husband, ever. And I only get to see him 2-3 hours during the week. And the company I work for has a way of making me feel guilty if I don't pick up a night....when when I have plans and requested a night off a month before. Which drains me emotionally even more...because if I don't cover it, it is on my mind. If I worked for a different company who gave me my every other weekend, or at least one weekend a month, I might feel a little differently. I know at the ltc facility it isn't like that, based on the employees that I know who work there. I will have a set schedule so I will be able to make plans and spend time with my husband. And as far as the ltc experience, I am very excited for it. I want the "faster" pace and extra experience :)

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    • Author

    And I know about being off for periods as well...my company has left me high and dry more than once when clients were in the hospital, including a 2 month period and several 1-2 week periods. That is another thing I will be glad for in ltc, I know I will have hours and be able to pay my bills.

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    • Expert

    Well, when I worked LTC, I was "chosen" for a downsizing layoff. I lost my mortgaged home and my career, when I stopped going to nursing school; so LTC employers, like all employers, can be callous and just plain jerks. There are many threads and posts here where people are encouraged to learn how to say no. Only you allow yourself to feel guilty. If your new job makes the same requests, you will face the same situation. Hope you enjoy your new job.

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    Please give ample notice to the family. It sounds like you like them and they won't retaliate by "firing" you first. They need time to either find their voice and demand more nurses or look for a new agency.

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