Is leaving before hurricane abandonment?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Hello all, so I am located at the very end of south Florida near the keys! My question is simply this, I'm supposed to work weekend during this hurricane which some are saying could be deadly. I have a small child and his safety is my priority. I want to evacuate but my job is saying that they could report me for abandonment. I really don't understand how because if I leave from my house, how have I abandoned their residents?? I am an LPN btw

I take it your hospital doesn't offer emergency child care during the storm? I too live in SWF and they are taking registration now for children of employees who have nobody else to take care of them. I don't have little ones, but I would feel safer with my kids in a hospital building then a house. Then again, being WITH your child is also so very reassuring!

Management has made it clear we can be fired, but nobody has threatened abandonment. Like others have said, if you don't take an assignment, it can't be abandonment. I do say I'm fairly impressed with my job, as they let your immediate family in while you work and if you are stuck there, and now even opened a pet shelter who working (or stuck) employees.

Do what is best for you and your little one! Stay safe!

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I just now heard Gov. Scott say that all Key hospitals were evacuating patients.

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Specializes in MICU.

We show up or we get fired. simple ast that.

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And this is why I took a job working from home. More money, less stress, still get to be a nurse. But family comes first.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Some states do actually have laws that require nurses to report to work in a declared disaster or prior to an predicted event or risk losing their license. It depends on your role, and there is usually some sort of requirement that you be notified of this in a certain time frame, but yes, depending on the state you could lose your license.

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I agree that a disaster plan should be made ahead of time by the hospital. Yes, it is our responsibility to come in to work as scheduled, but life happens and it really sucks that people are having to choose between coming in and worrying about their kids or being fired so they could insure their kids are safe. If a "disaster list" were created, I would have no problem with coming in, whether I was scheduled or not. I don't have kids. I don't have other people to plan for. I would rather that my coworkers who do have kids were able to ensure their safety. I would cover them, and I'm willing to bet there are lots of other nurses out there who would be willing to put their name on a disaster-call list.

ETA: And yes, the nurse should make personal emergency plans ahead of time as well. I just think it would help if the hospital had a list of nurses who could be called in should another employee call off.

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MunoRN said:
Some states do actually have laws that require nurses to report to work in a declared disaster or prior to an predicted event or risk losing their license. It depends on your role, and there is usually some sort of requirement that you be notified of this in a certain time frame, but yes, depending on the state you could lose your license.

Show me a list of those states. The government CANNOT compell a person no matter what thier job is as a civilian to put their life or property in danger.

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NurseCard said:

Geez...

OP, the bottom line is, if your child's safety is at risk, do what you can to get your child to safety, even if it means missing work and possibly losing your job. You can get another job. May be difficult, but you can find another job.

Whether you should have already made arrangements is irrelevant at this point. Just make sure your child is safe.

This. I'm sure OP is painfully aware of the fact that she should have planned this out earlier. But we are past the point of what should have been done. Be safe.

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NurseCard said:
Geez...

OP, the bottom line is, if your child's safety is at risk, do what you can to get your child to safety, even if it means missing work and possibly losing your job. You can get another job. May be difficult, but you can find another job.

Whether you should have already made arrangements is irrelevant at this point. Just make sure your child is safe.

Preach! OP does not have time to dwell on the "should have." Hopefully, the OP gets it for next time.

OP, if you have not already done so, do make arrangements with a trustworthy relative and drive your child to them as soon as possible. Maybe the relative can meet you halfway and drive to an area nearby to pick up your child so you do not have drive too far, and make it back for work tomorrow?

As a last resort - Do you have trustworthy friend nearby who can possibly take your child to the relative?

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There's no "you live in a hurricane prone area" here. This hurricane is unprecedented. It is levelling islands. These patients should be evacuated. If the facility decides not to then they are deciding to put them and you in harms way. Go take care of your child.

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I personally don't find your comment funny

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I live in Central Florida and totally understand what you are going through. My.children are adults and live in Houston, Tx. On that note, our schedules are made the same way. Yes, there is NO way to know a CAT 5 hurricane was about to hit the keys, but, we anticipated she was coming. It is not abandonment if you are not at work to accept the pt assignment, but. You can be fired.. I really don't think you have a choice, your child comes first. My hospital made it clear at first that no child care would be provided and at the last minute had a change of heart. Do what you need to do to assure your childs safety. God Bless and be safe.

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