how to peacefully resign from clients' homes without awkwardness?

[tinybbynurse]

This will be my last week. There's one client's family I'm particularly concerned about. It's been forever since they've had a day nurse ...I've been working at their home for maybe 3 weeks? They're well aware of my agency's tendency to pull nurses off a case at the drop of a hat so they're prepared for me to possibly leave. They also say they don't blame me if I found something better and that paid more. They are always saying though how nice it is to have someone around to help. Apparently they never get a break and when they do get sent a nurse apparently they are always ding bats (according to them idk! Haha) and theyre thankful to have me around. Let's just say working these cases and my agency in general has been hell and I'm SO excited to leave. But of course I feel bad. (Not that it's stopping me at all! Stoked for my new job!)

But do I tell the fam I'm leaving? Do I just smile and wave bye everyday then don't come back? What does the agency say to them and when do they say something? What do I say if asked?

I'm new to PDN / HH so idk how this works. Can anyone tell me from their experience?

[tinybbynurse]

I guess so. I feel weird around the family now ... now I REALLY can't wait til my last day.... even more than before.

[caliotter3]

The agency generally informs the family when it is beneficial to them, without consideration of the individual that is leaving. That is one reason why many nurses don't get involved with giving lengthy 'notices'.

[tinybbynurse]

Well since they know they ended up asking me questions and they know what hospital and type of floor I'll be on. I didn't know how to avoid these questions without seeming rude though I wish they didn't know much or ask much ....they're happy for me because they know how much the agency sucks but of course are dissapointed I'm leaving. I just tried to explain that around here its difficult to get a job in the hospital as a new nurse so I had to take the opportunity while I could. Because it's a lot easier to transfer from hospital to home health later than to keep doing home health and transfer to a hospital (though I'd never come back to home health...was just trying to explain my reasoning to the family). And it is true that it's hard to grt a hospital job where I live as opposed to my hometown so I think they get it and I hope they don't take it personal but I need to get this hospital experience .... because my career goals entail nicu one day and travel nursing eventually and my foot in the door to the hospital and thst kind of experience is the only way I'll get there so I'm doing this for me and am honestly so excited to start!

[caliotter3]

The family can't discuss the nurse's career goals at length if the nurse does not allow her/his career to become a topic of conversation. Boundary setting and focus on the patient goes a long way to prevent these awkward interchanges.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

You wouldn't have had this conversation if you maintained professional boundaries. There is no reason they need to know why you took this job, why you are leaving or where you are going. You could have said I have another opportunity to pursue. Period.

[tinybbynurse]

You guys are right. I totally didn't mean to cross the line with this family but it happened accidentally! All the more reason to get out because I can't imagine how personal things would get if I stayed. I think that's yet another reason new grads shouldn't do this kind of nursing right away. It can be very hard to maintain Profesional boundaries and I don't like that ...I didn't even mean for it to happen. All the other families I felt I did a good job with ...just something about this one. I hate that. Cause then I feel guilty for leaving them but I wouldn't feel that way if professional boundaries weren't crossed. It was very hard to avoid their questions. I guess I have a rapport with them that is too friendly. Again idk how thst happened with this one family .... I guess you hsve to be careful. They don't make it easy the way they include me in dinner during my shift or offer me stuff they're giving away (which I don't accept btw)... I think they tend to do this because I could be their daughters age ...I hate how age can effect nurse patient / family relationships. I feel like I'll do fine in the hospital though. It was just this one family ...didn't have this issue with any others. And I think it's just alot easier in HH or PDN.

[caliotter3]

The family that includes you in their aura of trust while they are gleaning information that they can use in the future will be the first to turn on you like a bag of raging vipers when they choose to do so.

[SDALPN]

The family that includes you in their aura of trust while they are gleaning information that they can use in the future will be the first to turn on you like a bag of raging vipers when they choose to do so.

That's the truth!

Hrtsnstrs, those same families/personalities end up at the hospital too. The only difference is you work with a team of people that can help you. The environment/atmosphere at the hospital helps too. Its just different when you're left to fend for yourself on their territory.

[tinybbynurse]

So true. They are nice people but a tiny part of me IS afraid they'll turn. But I think they're just all around friendly people. But still... it makes things weird. I totally agree with the comment about how the agency tells the family I'm leaving on their time ...not mine. So true. Which is part of why I TRIED to leave within the week to get it over and done with. Anyways yeah, it can be hard go fend for yourself alone and I'm really looking forward to the hospital atmosphere.

[tinybbynurse]

Another clients family found out today that I'm leaving which is fine. But apparently the agency is telling them all that I did indeed get a new job. Which I don't care but isn't my reason for leaving my business? No Wonder they are all asking me questions! The agency TOLD them I have a new job! I guess they just don't want the families to think it's personal or thst I'm leaving because the agency sucks. But it does. So bad.

[caliotter3]

I would tell them, when they ask, that I can't imagine why the agency is telling them my personal business and then refuse to further discuss this. I have always wondered why sometimes agencies will go out of their way to tell the family a lie when it is not even necessary, but that is how they do things.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

The simple answer is the best. Did you get a new job. Yes. It's like when asked by an agent for a regulatory authority "do you know the time?" You don't offer more than asked. "Yes. I do" practice redirecting the conversation now it will only serve you well moving forward.

So I hear you are leaving because you got a new job? Yes I did. So how is Johnny feeling today. With all this heat it's hard for every one. Do you think we will get rain? People will ask you personal questions when you work in the hospital. Sometimes they are nosy sometimes to be polite and deflect attention but they don't really want to know. Clearly familiarity blurred professional boundaries. Don't bad mouth the agency, especially to families. It undermines everyone and is unprofessional. Redirect I'm sorry you feel that way do you have the number for client relations so you can voice your concerns?