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by vnsam

Would you do the same thing I did? Was it really a crime and ground for termination? Or I am missing something?

I am a LVN here in San Diego working in a small hospital which am employed for more than five years now.

I've been LVN for more than a decade now and was never in trouble but only now. This really hurts me.

I work 12 hrs a day and mainly taking graveyard shift. I just got terminated today for JOB ABANDONMENT when I left work early due to family emergency which I think was the right thing for me to do as a father.
My wife on the other hand (also working that night) called me on my cellphone at 0400, telling me that our son called her and telling her that his sister has a temperature of 104.2F orally with severe headache and with occational nausea and vomitting. My wife also told me that she took the liberty of calling our Supervisor that night at 0330 and was told that I can not leave until 0600 and was surprised to know that for 30 min past, the supervisor did'nt even bother telling me about it. My wife don't know how to drive and gets to work only by carpooling with co workers and she has no means of getting home without a car. My kids 3 kids (17, 15 and 14 years old) are hopeless at this time and so, I told my charge nurse in ICU about this and hearing without reply I took that as a "no problem" with them. I did my 0400 duties and when I was done at 0445 (with no word yet from the supervisor) I went straight to her office and told her that I am done helping my charge nurses and I have to leave.

To my surprise instead of relieving my post she replied "well Sam, you can not leave until six o'clock and I am busy with staffing". I was begging and told her that I really have to go since my wife is at work and don't drive but to no avail. By then, it was already 0449 when I clocked out and that was all. I left my work in a hurry knowing they would understand. But I guess I was wrong.. Maybe, if it was someone else with the same problem; they could be sent home right away without problem.. It just so happened that it was me...

[earle58]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

unfortunately, regardless of your very, valid reason, it still is considered abandonment.
when you opted to leave, you should have known this was grounds for immediate dismissal, and made your choice accordingly.
i'm sorry you were put in this position.
sometimes, we do what we have to do....even at the cost of a job.

wishing you and yours, the very best.

leslie

[ginger58]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

Sorry for your situation but it does sound like abandonment. Did you give report on your patients to someone? If you are in an acute care facility, the hospital would have needed to pull another staff member in or float someone to maintain patient safety.
Since you and your wife both work nights, don't you have some someone that could help you in an emergency? Someone that could come over and take your son to an ER? These are minor children left alone during the night. Maybe they should have dialed 911 and had them brought to your hospital.
I think the right thing for you to do as a father is to have arrangements made with someone to be available for the boys.

[caliotter3]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

Unfortunately, there is no requirement for employers to be compassionate or to solve the personal problems of their employees. You should have made arrangements for emergencies when you started this working arrangement. People will ask "Why hasn't your wife learned how to drive? When will the 17 yr old get his driver's permit? Where were your neighbors or relatives? And the kicker: you could have told your 17 year old to call 911.

I'm not trying to come down on you, but just stating the obvious. And I could give the details of several cases of abandonment where co-workers have got off scot free, but that isn't going to make you feel any better. There are always consequences for all actions. You got hit pretty hard here. Now you should take steps to see that it doesn't pose a potential problem to a future employer. Good luck in your job hunt. I certainly hope that your current employer does not take action against your license.

[SuesquatchRN]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

I'm sorry.

[TazziRN]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

As a parent, I feel for you. I think you did what you had to do, however it could very well be seen as abandonment since you were told by a superior that you could not leave, yet you did anyway. Even if you gave report to someone, by leaving against direct instructions you abandoned your position.

[janhetherington]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

I am so sorry for you, but yes you did abandon your patients, which is grounds not only for losing your job but your license. I know how hard this was for you, but... Several years ago I was working evenings when the ER nurse called and told me my husband and daughter had been in an auto accident and were down in ER on stretchers. I asked if they were seriously injured or in danger. The ER nurse said, "no", and I had to tell him that a patient I was taking care of on the floor was, so I would not be able to come down to the ER until my replacement came in in two hours. Cold? Yes, but that's nursing. And yes, you should have called 911 or even a cab.

[TheCommuter]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

Hopefully, your job is the only thing you lose. Keep your fingers crossed with the hope that your previous workplace does not report this incident to the BVNPT (the California LVN board).

[Zookeeper3]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

ugh, yep... as a parent who has been there done that with sick kids working nights. So no I wouldn't and here is why, please don't take this the wrong way, you asked so here it is.

I have a 20, 17, 16 and `14 yr old. All are old enough with that type of fever with basic cold/flu symptoms to take tylenol or motrin,, take a cold bath, take some meds after talking with me to finish my shift. Those are NOT symptoms that warrented a 911 call or an ER visit, as your family doc was opening up shop at 8 or 9 am, well after you were off work. What could you do at 5am that the teens couldn't do for themselves?

Yes, family does come first, but in situations that don't potentially harm the ICU patients we're caring for. You left prior to the supervisor clearing you, yes you do what you feel is best. But the ramifications do exist and now you're living them. It was job abandonment, because the sup, didn't clear you, no replacement... and in all honesty I'd bet your patients needed you at bedside more than a fever at home.... as ugly as it is to say, and I'm really saying this in a very nice talkative way.

I've gone home sick on shift 2x's in 13 years... never left early because of the kids. I need a paycheck to support my family, and have alternatives in case of emergency that I can't get home lined up.

wish you the best, hope your child is better soon, tough choices all around.

[ginger58]

Re: Would You do the same thing I did?

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

Hopefully, your job is the only thing you lose. Keep your fingers crossed with the hope that your previous workplace does not report this incident to the BVNPT (the California LVN board).

The sad thing is, in CA this is a mandatory reporting event by the employer when anyone is terminated for this sort of thing. They have 30 days to report.

Is there anyway you could go talk to your DON and tell her you had an error in judgement and you are working on instructing your kids how to take care of themselves if this happens again, and that you have set up with someone to be available for them?