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

klone said:
No, I think the OP's "relief" is the person who is out on leave, and they failed to get someone to cover her shifts, so they're wanting the OP (and others) to cover that second shift, essentially doing a double shift. Technically, that would be patient abandonment, but it's a pretty dick move to force the nurses to do that.

If that's the case, then yeah, total *@ move. I'm not one for up and quitting, but in that kind of environment where the manager is that uncaring about her staff, it's only going to get worse. I don't work doubles. You have to draw the line somewhere, and I guess you need to decide where your line in the sand is.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

OP, do you have your own ? If so, call them for advice.

CosmoRN77 said:
legal consultations are usually free and your a nurse you should be able to Pay for a lawyer. And if u can't then maybe you SHOULD pick up that extra shift

Other people's finances are none of your business, nor should you judge someone on their finances. Just because one is a nurse doesn't mean one has enough discretionary funds for a lawyer.

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Specializes in critical care.
CosmoRN77 said:
legal consultations are usually free and your a nurse you should be able to Pay for a lawyer. And if u can't then maybe you SHOULD pick up that extra shift
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Rose_Queen said:
OP, do you have your own malpractice insurance? If so, call them for advice.

Other people's finances are none of your business, nor should you judge someone on their finances. Just because one is a nurse doesn't mean one has enough discretionary funds for a lawyer.

No kidding.

DH and I used a lawyer for our estate planning. I COULD NOT BELIEVE the bill when it came. Legal advice can be quite pricey.

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Lol ok ok I'm an ass but love this post

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Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.
CosmoRN77 said:
LOL OK OK I'm an *** but love this post

THis one? The quote feature will help to identify to whom you are referring.

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The Britney post that is 

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

Nope. It isn't considered Abandonment until you actually show up and accept a patient assignment. She's blowing smoke. Turn her down FLAT.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
Horseshoe said:
If that's the case, then yeah, total *@ move. I'm not one for up and quitting, but in that kind of environment where the manager is that uncaring about her staff, it's only going to get worse. I don't work doubles. You have to draw the line somewhere, and I guess you need to decide where your line in the sand is.

Well said. If one doesn't draw a line in the sand, no one will do it for them.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
CosmoRN77 said:
legal consultations are usually free and your a nurse you should be able to Pay for a lawyer. And if u can't then maybe you SHOULD pick up that extra shift

NEVER make assumptions about anyone's financial situation...

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I would report her comments to HR. To me that qualifies as a hostile comment, and which is also 100% ludicrous. As others have noted, you can't abandon patients you haven't accepted yet. You could say "I don't think that word means what you think it means". HR might also be interested to know she is threatening your license without cause. Certainly the manager of the unit should know. I don't agree with some others who urge you to quit, but it depends if this bad apple is supported by management, or just slipped through the cracks. She should be removed from that position for saying what she said. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

She's so full of it its pouring out....you cannot get abandonment for not picking up extra or overtime ... and you cannot stay past 16 hours...its illegal. File an EEOCC on her and get a new job...she is the one that can get in trouble not you sister

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