Leaving Private Duty Guilt

[Purple1234]

Recently accepted job I feel will be much better fit for me and much more stable. I have given the required notice to current employer and now I sit and dread the fall-out from my decision.

Why do we feel so guilty when it comes to leaving a family? I feel as though I am betraying the family 😩

[caliotter3]

Nurse previous to me left case for job paying more than twice her extended care salary. Also much better career opportunities for her in new job. Because of circumstances, she comes around. Absolutely no guilt whatsoever on her part, and none evident from the client. A person does what they need to do. The client family will get just as attached to the next nurse who stays as long as you did, and they will attach to the nurse after her/him too. Likewise, they will disattach.

[cmonlaf, MSN, RN]

You get so close to patients and families when doing private-duty that I think it's only natural to feel a little guilt. It is not like the acute setting where you only take care of patients briefly the majority of the time. You have to do what is best for your career and happiness. There is not much growth potential in this setting.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

You have to do what is best for your career and happiness.

This.

Back when I was doing private duty, I had a great family that I worked for and I never did understand why they had trouble getting coverage. They had enough hours for seven nights a week, 12-hours a shift, but often times I was the only nurse on the case, even though they had two different agencies supplying them with nurses.

I actually worked for both of their agencies on different cases prior to taking on that family's case. I went there to fill in a call-off at the last minute one night, and then I continued working with the family through both agencies so I could do 5-6 nights a week with them without either agency getting into overtime pay. I also drove an hour each direction to get to this family's home.

I was offered a position with another company (that I already did PRN skilled visits for) that paid 50% more per hour and was only a ten minute drive from home... and I turned it down. Three different times. Because this other family NEEDED me. If I wasn't there, they probably wouldn't have any nursing coverage at all.... they needed me!

But you know what? My family and my own health and my own finances needed to be my primary focus. This is my JOB. This is my FUTURE. And the fourth time that I got the call offering me 50% more money ten minutes from home.... I said yes.

I put my money in the bank, contributed to my retirement significantly, and eventually ended up changing to a hospital job in acute care.

It's a job.

It's a job taking care of people, it's an intimate setting, but ultimately what it boils down to is that it's your job. Punch the timeclock, do your work, punch the timeclock, then go live your life.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

Nurses leave frequently. They're used to it. It will probably be harder for you than it is for them.

[Purple1234]

Update from original poster:

After giving my notice there definitely was some uncomfortable conversations with the family once they knew of my plans. I did my best to stay positive and not let the family make me feel guilty. I am SO GLAD that I made this choice. I am loving my new job and now that I am gone from the private duty job...guess what...my hours are still covered for the family. Lesson learned was that I am not irreplaceable-they will find someone to replace me. I do miss the client & family-it does get easier though once settled in to the new job.