**venting**

[bdbrdb]

I just got off the phone with the HH agency I work for as PDN. I was asked what shift did I want to work now that my FT is switching agency...?!?!. I had no idea my pt was switching, so I asked when is my last day and she says oh I thought you knew, don't show up again with that pt. The most frustrating part is my hubby, my income supports our family so it's upsetting when he starts on about I need to get a new case tonight and that I need to take whatever case they have available. He doesn't understand that the majority of the cases are pts who are complete assist, I'm 5'2" and 95 lbs I have a tough time repositioning patients who are way bigger than me. He doesn't understand it's not safe for the pt or myself and also he wants me taking high acuity cases. I've gone to the teach/vent training sessions and even after attending the ones work provides I don't feel confident in working those cases alone especially with a new peds trach pt. His thoughts are that I'm lazy and don't want to work those case. Ugh! I've gone to the "training" sessions and I just don't feel like I'll be prepared for an emergency. And I have covered a shift with an adult who had a trach and even though everything went well during the days I covered he was still too big for me to reposition on my own. I just wish hubby would be more supportive instead of just yelling that I need to find work now.

[rnrg]

None of my business, but why are you the sole support for your family?

Im.the sole support of my family too. My partner has been unemployed for over 5 years. It's inexcusable and places so much stress on me. I work PDN all high acuity infants and neonates. My schedule is off the wall. I work all three shifts, and I'm constantly adjusting from switching days to swing to nights. It's a rough gig but this is my job. I'm good at it, and it's my niche for now.

[rnrg]

If you would spend some time reading threads in the home health and "private duty" sections of the site you would know that this area of nursing is not at the top of the list for providing job (and paycheck) security. The only people who have steady work or overtime in extended care home health are those who are looked upon with favor by the people in the office, secondarily, by the clients. The best advice you can follow is to remain on board with two or more agencies and always keep in mind the phrase, "job today, maybe job tomorrow".

Wow I've worked ft in PDN for over 5 years for 3 separate agencies. I've moonlighted at times to kinda fill in the gaps in the beginning but have been steadily employed with one agency for over two years now and there is NEVER a shortage if work for me. I guess even when my regulars are out if commission I'm the one getting others pulled and I fill the shifts. Not so sure about favoritism but I typically don't have problems or ever really turn down any work.

[spiderslap]

He needs to understand, you could be walking into an unsafe environment with possibly dangerous people around and no protection, you could hurt your back and ruin your career if the pt is too big, both things that are more likely if youre a small person. You could end up in a legal situation if youre caught off guard with problems you cannot handle. He is not being a good friend or lover. Its obviously a tricky situation, but it cannot be helped and he should handle it like an adult and help you figure out how the two of you will get through this tough time. Sorry you have to deal with this.