"6 months notice is customary"

[PediLove2147]

I got a new job last week which I am very excited about. I told my agency yesterday and they were really happy for me. Said I was a definite re-hire if I wanted to return. I gave three and a half weeks notice. I told the family today and they were horrible. I told the father since the mother was at work and my agency needed them to know so they could set up times for the new nurses taking my place and he was so rude. I was upset but it was expected so I was over it pretty quickly. On my way home, the mother called me. I decided to answer, now I wish I would have gone with my gut and hit no.

For the next 20 minutes she told me how unprofessional I am being only giving two weeks notice. That as a professional I should be giving at least 6 months notice. 2-3 months if you must. She couldn't believe my agency was okay with my behavior and even made a crack at my mother's parenting skills. She implied I didn't care about her son and she learned something about me today and it wasn't a good thing. The thing that upset me the most (and it showed) was when she asked if I just abandoned my other patient too. My other patient died yesterday so this was a touchy subject. I tried half way to get off the phone but she kept talking, finally I said I have to go. I will see you Friday. I am so glad I am leaving, I am hoping I can get through the next couple of weeks without exploding.

Since when has two weeks not been enough? She said only secretaries can give two weeks. Us "professionals" need to give more.

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

Thanks everyone. I know not to take it personally. Maybe I am too sensitive for nursing. My agency told me yesterday when I gave my notice that when parents get upset it's a "backhanded compliment" since it means they obviously trust you as a nurse. I just wish they could be adults about all this.

I should have never spoken with her, I know I said some things I shouldn't have. Nothing that I could get in trouble for but in general.

I plan on avoiding both parents as much as possible during my shifts. No more giving in to her speeches on MY professionalism. I will just continue taking care of my patient as usual, he's a sweetheart :)

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I am sure it is just frustration, as others mentioned. The idea of starting all over again with a new nurse, having to rebuild that trust all over again, train them all over again, probably go through several before finding a good fit and one who will stay....

I am sorry they treated you so poorly. It sounds like they had a cow over how they wish things were rather than how they are. It is understandable that they have emotional baggage from their special needs child. It is not understandable or okay that they would use that baggage to abuse someone who has done a good job for them. You didn't deserve that. I hope they apologize to you and your remaining time with them is peaceful and positive.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

It seems to be a month for management, two weeks for staff. And she was entirely out of lin. Like it or not her son is your job, not yours.

[RNnbakes]

I have actually had something similar happen to me, instead they fired the agency because I couldnt continue working for them. Ummm I needed going back to school fulltime.

[JenniferSews]

Like others have said, 4 weeks management and 2 weeks for employee. Show me anyone, even a highly paid CEO, who gives more than 4 weeks notice. I can't say anything about what might happen in the next 6 months of my life, and my life is very boring and predictable! In six months you could decide to go back to school, change careers, win the lottery, get married, get pregnant, anything! They were being unreasonable, and I definately would watch my back from now on.

[sunshine1216]

she is completely out of line! 2 weeks notice is fine!

[LobotRN, BSN, RN]

PediLove2147 you sound like a gem! Just curious, because I don't work home care cases.....Why didn't the agency take on the task of simply informing the family of a change in staff and start to coordinate interviews? The family has contracted the agency, not you directly (e.g. like found you by advertising and taking on the hiring themselves). From my perspective in HR related issues, you have ended employment with the agency, now the agency needs to adjust staffing for their client. I can see that no matter what you may have a few more shifts with the (tantrum throwing!) mother, father, and child, but I think it should have fallen squarely on the shoulders of your nurse supervisor and the agency to deal with the family from the git go. And best luck on the new job!

[casper1]

Sorry to hear you were given such a difficult time by this family. I'm sure they are frustrated maybe they have to repeatedly retrain staff to meet their childs needs.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

Patient's expectations of health worker shown to be ridiculous...film at 11.

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

PediLove2147 you sound like a gem! Just curious, because I don't work home care cases.....Why didn't the agency take on the task of simply informing the family of a change in staff and start to coordinate interviews? The family has contracted the agency, not you directly (e.g. like found you by advertising and taking on the hiring themselves). From my perspective in HR related issues, you have ended employment with the agency, now the agency needs to adjust staffing for their client. I can see that no matter what you may have a few more shifts with the (tantrum throwing!) mother, father, and child, but I think it should have fallen squarely on the shoulders of your nurse supervisor and the agency to deal with the family from the git go. And best luck on the new job!

I told the agency that I wanted to be the ones to tell them. I think they would have flipped even more if I hadn't been the one to tell them. I am not sure if it's with every agency but with mine they prefer you tell the family yourself if you plan to leave. They take it from there though, do all the interviews, schedule orientation, and anything else. I have nothing bad to say about my agency, they are really trying to make this a smooth transition.

[LevitateMe, RN]

i'd do the same thing as far as telling the parents myself too. She's crazy tho dont feel bad and definitely be careful for the next two weeks and tell your agency for sure.

[LobotRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the extra info, PediLove2147. Sounds like you wanted to do the right and personal thing for ending a professional relationship. So sorry the family responded in that way (like another poster said, there have to be many stresses in arranging care for a special needs child) and maybe they had the idea that you would be there for a very long (read: forever) time. I wish you best of luck in the new job, and best of luck to the family that they can learn from this experience. Otherwise, continued blow ups at changing staff on their part may make nurses leave more quickly in the first place and finding any agency willing to take them on fewer and farther between as time goes on. Be careful and good luck to you...