Abandonment issues!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Does leaving midshift due to illness constitute abandonment issues even if you reported off to the nurse, did narc count, etc...and two nurses present on shift after I left?

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Well, two days ago, I went to work already sick and vomiting before coming in. I came into work anyway and within an hour and a half of being there, continued to vomit. I felt the vernos that I had drank did not quell my stomach so I told the charge nurse that I may need to go home. She asked if I would like compazine and I said "no, I would just like to sleep this off and get better at home." There were two nurses and me on shift for 42 residents in LTC. We commonly work with only 2 nurses on afternoon, so when I left, there were 2 nurses with a third coming in at 7pm and one leaving at 7pm, leaving 2 nurses for the whoke shift after I left. Well, I had to page the manager at home and she told me that she sticks it out when she is sick and that I am now responsible for getting someone to cover for me, although I had already did my narc count and gave report to the nurse who was taking over for me. The manager then said that I could be charged with abandonment because I left even though another nurse took my assignment. I asked her "how" because we usually only work with two nurses anyway (it's a treat for 3) and I had already given report and did all of the 4 o'clock' meds.

The manager went on to say that the DON is implementing something for abandonment of resident for leaving midshift.

Were there any abandonment issues here?

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maybe abandonment issues for your facility, but not for the BON.

you got coverage, gave report and left the facility with 2 regularly scheduled nurses.

just to protect yourself from any potential retaliation, get a doc's note.

don't know how much that will protect you, but at least something will be in your folder.

best of everything.

leslie

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Doesn't sound like it to me. If you counted off the narcotic count and if you handed over the keys and gave report and the other nurse accepted, you're in the clear. The DNS can say whatever she wants about leaving mid shift, but unless you leave your keys on the desk and walk out the front door, you are NOT abandoning your residents.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

What? Are you suppose to just stay there and puke all day? It wasn't abandonment. You counted your narcs and you gave report to another nurse. How is that abandonment?

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

She can't. It isn't abandonment. you counted narcs AND gave report to the nurse taking your patients. What it is called though is manipulation, on her part. To Ease your mind though you should read the nurse practice act of your state. And maybe find a place to work that won't tell you to come in sick. A lot of the patients in LTC have auto immune problems any way. Too bad your administration doesn't get that.

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So very sad. Only in nursing would folks go off into a discussion about was report given or not, were the keys passed or not, were the narcotics counted or not.......

THIS NURSE WAS VERY ILL AND SHE NOTIFIED HER SUPERVISOR OF THAT FACT!!!

I don't wish to be unkind but until we, as nurses collectively change our "headsets" regarding situations such as this one, we are going to be abused continually.

That so-called manager and/or DON should have either made arrangements (agency, try to get other staff to come in, etc) to replace their sick staff member or drug their butt in to work the shift themselves.

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Specializes in PICU/NICU.

"...or drug their butt in to work the shift themselves."

AMEN!!! I bet that thought never crossed that DON's mind!!

And what kind of manager wants these residents exposed to whatever bug you had? SAD! I hope you are feeling better soon so that you can find a new job where someone will appreciate the work you do!:wink2:

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

If she said that again, I'd wonder out loud what "state" might say about management coercing a vomiting employee to stay and work??

Bet she'd change her tune in a heck of a hurry.

She's using "abandonment" to try and intimidate you, so intimidate right back. And find another job.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

The state doesn't really care about the staff. I've sent people home if they are sick because the last thing anyone needs is a building full of elders who are vomiting or have diarrhea.

Managers like this aren't doing anyone any favors.

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It is not abandonment, but she is bullying you.

The reason she is telling you that is so that SHE won't have to come help cover...if she intimidates you enough to make you believe what she's telling you, then maybe you will stay.

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Specializes in LTC, wound care.

1. If my very very elderly mother or father was going to be taken care of by you, shortly after you vomited, and you transmitted some flu virus to her/him, I'd be ****** for your unprofessional conduct (coming to work sick and contagious.) You were right to leave.

2. Being sick at a desk job is a complete 'nother thing than being sick while trying to give patient care, even if your patients are old folks in an old folks' home. Your boss sounds nasty and vindictive, not to mention, none too bright.

I hope you feel better soon.

Jane

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