Abandonment if I don't pick up over time shifts??

Nurses Professionalism

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I am a full time nurse 3p-11p. Our 11-7 nurse is out on DBL. The charge nurse told me she will file Abandonment charges against my license If I don't pick up some of those extra shifts.

Here is the thing...it isn't Abandonment because they knew of those absences in a reasonable time frame to find appropriate coverage. We even have contract nurses available.

What can I do about all of this?

And she didn't even ask me to pick up the shift. She threatened me with mandation, and when I informed her she could not legally mandate me she immediately told me she would file abandonment charges against my licence.

I'm in NY.

HELP

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
RIRed said:
Your charge is a deceitful, heinous bully who should be reported to her higher-ups. Please stand up for yourself and for the other nurses she is abusing-- I doubt you're the only one! If you abandon your patients, then yes she can file charges against her. But she's still an a$$4013.

The higher ups no doubt know all about the charge's attempts to get those shifts covered without hiring. But go ahead -- report her. I hope you have enough money saved up to go without a job for awhile.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

We are so short of both CNA's and nurses right now that mandatory overtime is the rule, not the exception. We have nurses and management picking up CNA and nursing shifts. There have been several shifts that we are short CNA's even after mandating everybody that could be mandated. It's worse for the CNA's, it is a rare day when they come to work and actually get to leave at the end of their shift.

It's not just my workplace; every LTC, Assisted Living and Home Health agency in the region is having trouble finding enough staff. Yet they won't give us a raise, go figure.

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kbrn2002 said:
We are so short of both CNA's and nurses right now that mandatory overtime is the rule, not the exception. We have nurses and management picking up CNA and nursing shifts. There have been several shifts that we are short CNA's even after mandating everybody that could be mandated. It's worse for the CNA's, it is a rare day when they come to work and actually get to leave at the end of their shift.

It's not just my workplace; every LTC, Assisted Living and Home Health agency in the region is having trouble finding enough staff. Yet they won't give us a raise, go figure.

Ugh! This makes me so angry. Every person I know of in the LTC business.....as in owning them....is rolling in the $$$. Meanwhile the system of LTC has created a hell hole for employees and the place people dread to go live. What the heck is wrong with this country that we allow this. :(

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Do you have a nursing congress/practice counsel or nursing practice department. I would speak to my Nurse Manager & go up chain of command from there. Nurse Director> Director of Nursing.

I am not familiar with the NY BON. Your local nursing association might be able to help answer this question.

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Specializes in PACU.

Get it in writing so you have proof. She won't do that.

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No she cannot file abandonment against you if you have not assumed responsibility for a patient. How can you abandon a patient you don't have? That's like abandoning a kid that doesn't exist. It happened to me at my last job. If I refused to pick up extra, I was told I was abandoning patients. Needless to say, I have a new job. Like others have said, RUN! find a new job!

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The most important thing to remember in dealing with supervisors is that there is a chain of command. After what you have been told, and I assume carefully documented dates, times, and any witnesses to these conversations, you should go right over her head to her supervisor. Keep in mind, unless she has put this in print, it is her word against yours. As others have said, you're in the right. She is clearly being deceptive and threatening, as well as putting patients at risk by not doing her job to fine a suitable replacement. At least, she can no longer threaten your license. Best wishes to you.

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Kindly print your charge nurse a copy of the labor laws for your state that prohibit mandatory overtime, and use your chain of command all the way up the ladder to administration if you have to. That should work, but if it doesn't get a lawyer and file a harassment complaint for hostile work environment. While you are at it go ahead and file a complaint with the Department of Labor and your State Board of Nursing. They will only bully you if you allow it to happen.

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I agree with everyone that she is threatening you but has no case. I WOULD report her to your Director of Nurses. And as many have suggested, look for another job. Fast. Are you unionized? If so, report to your union rep. They should be able to.nip this in the bud!

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Go up the chain of command and report her. If you can, get collaborating statements from others. Then, get your resume together and look for another job. Nurses are in demand and you should be able to get a job fairly quickly. The best manager I had put me in a room with a nurse who was working on the unit I was interviewing for to give me a chance to ask questions about how the unit was run. Sadly, she passed away. I resigned my position YESTERDAY because of the new director. Smart managers take care of those in their charge. Short staffing, lack of adequate personnel, and sick calls are not your problem. I cared for the patients very much, but I needed to take care of myself too. Working for 16 hours straight isn't even safe...for anyone.

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Specializes in Psych.

I agree with the other posters about finding another job. -Or- let them fire you and sue them for this hostile work environment. I always understood that 'abandonment' is AFTER you have accepted a patient into your care and you leave them.

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In front of, and in full view of your fellow staff members...calmly... step to within professional distance, but, just the slightest bit outside of personal distance of your Charge RN. Then, professionally look directly into the eyes of your Charge RN and politely ask them to "put that in writing, please". Then take one, over exaggerated step backwards and smile at them with a Cheshire cat smile. Because (drum roll please), should they put it in writing, then you have everything that you need to take action against them. However, should your Charge RN be smart enough NOT to put it in writing, it is still a victory, because you have just shown your fellow staff RN's the proper manner in which to respond to a bullying Charge RN.

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