Abandonment

Oz2 · Apr 6, 2009

I have a question. How are you supposed to know that whatever assignment you are about to take is unsafe unless you actually take report?

LovebugLPN · Apr 6, 2009

I don't know? :rolleyes: I am assuming the OP was made aware one way or another. Maybe she stepped onto the unit and spoke to the nurse but did not take report? Or she...?? I don't know. Maybe she'll tell tell us. All I am saying is unless you get report it isn't abandonment that was my only part of the question to answer.

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 6, 2009

I have a question. How are you supposed to know that whatever assignment you are about to take is unsafe unless you actually take report?

simply looking AT the assignment, is often enough all the info needed.......

allnurses Guide · Apr 6, 2009

Okay, let me get this straight. The OP went to work and clocked in. She/he realized that the patient load was unsafe and did NOT take report but left work. In all of this the DON was unable to be contacted. Okay, if all of my facts are correct this is my answer. This is without a doubt NOT abandonment. Could it be handled differently? Yes. Should a nurse put their license on the line to make the dollar hungry higher ups happy? H*ll no! You probably don't have job anymore so start looking for a job Sister but you were concerned and you did what a lot of nurses should do and if more nurses would do what you did we would have better work loads and more respect from our employers. I totally support you but again you could have waited until you got ahold of the DON but not taken report.

I agree. I became a nurse at 40 years of age and I was surprised at how much each individual nurse puts up with.

If more nurses would simply refuse to work in unsafe conditions, things might change.

I completely realize how tough a decision it is though - :redbeathe My advice for the OP is to do as others have mentioned and get more information regarding your state BON's rules and regs.

steph

David13, MSN, RN · Apr 6, 2009

Okay, let me get this straight. The OP went to work and clocked in. She/he realized that the patient load was unsafe and did NOT take report but left work. In all of this the DON was unable to be contacted. Okay, if all of my facts are correct this is my answer. This is without a doubt NOT abandonment. Could it be handled differently? Yes. Should a nurse put their license on the line to make the dollar hungry higher ups happy? H*ll no! You probably don't have job anymore so start looking for a job Sister but you were concerned and you did what a lot of nurses should do and if more nurses would do what you did we would have better work loads and more respect from our employers. I totally support you but again you could have waited until you got ahold of the DON but not taken report.

I agree 100% with this response. In the scenario as depicted, the OP clocked in, went and saw what her intended assignment was to be, and responded in a completely appropriate manner by refusing to take report. Although, as others have alread stated, the OP might have to endure proving her case at some point, I believe what he/she did was courageous. If more of us stood up for ourselves and refused to accept unsafe assignments, the nursing profession as a whole would be much better off in the long term. When we allow management to give us unsafe assignments without question, we are perpetuating this type of unsound environment. :twocents:

Alibaba · Apr 6, 2009

OP,,,do not let anyone scare you into thinking this was abandonment. That is why you should always know your practice act front and back and if not,,,have a copy of it in your bag at all times. I have infact gone into work, clocked in and as soon as I saw where I was assigned, clocked out without taking report. I let the supervisor know I would not be staying and called the DON to inform. There is no way I was putting my license at risk taking on 60 residents with one CNA with the assignment split between halls meaning there was no way to be in view of all my assignment at all times. I don't know about FL but all the states I have worked in require establishment of a relationship (accepting assignment and taking report) to qualify for abandonment.

My only regret was the position I put the rest of the staff in. The oncall had to come in and the evening shift couldn't leave until a relief was found. We should be willing and ready to stand up for ourselves and our licences. Nursing school was waaay to stressful and hard to just give up my license for what? $200. I say NO!

Good luck on your job search.

oramar · Apr 6, 2009

I agree 100% with this response. In the scenario as depicted, the OP clocked in, went and saw what her intended assignment was to be, and responded in a completely appropriate manner by refusing to take report. Although, as others have alread stated, the OP might have to endure proving her case at some point, I believe what he/she did was courageous. If more of us stood up for ourselves and refused to accept unsafe assignments, the nursing profession as a whole would be much better off in the long term. When we allow management to give us unsafe assignments without question, we are perpetuating this type of unsound environment.

This is the best response here.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2009

No one on this forum knows for an absolute fact if this was abandonment or not- only the FL BON can tell you this for sure.

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2009

Here's a good article for Florida nurses. http://www.rjacksonrn.com/Articles/knowingNursingLaw.htm

Here's some excerpts.

In Florida, if a nurse accepts an assignment, the nurse cannot cease patient care until relief is available, except in an emergency.3 Abandon.ment is considered unprofessional conduct, but if the patient is harmed and a causal relationship between the breach and harm is proven, it may result in a case of negligence.
"If you don't assume the assignment, you can't abandon the patient," says Carol Marden, JD, BSN, RN.4 Abandonment issues should also be considered when the nurse leaves the unit for breaks or at the end of the shift.

Refusing an assignment can subject the nurse to suspension without pay, termination and/or allegations of abandonment. The decision should be made after careful consideration of all the options. If refusing an assignment, the nurse should document the reasons in writing, give a copy to the supervisor and keep one copy (not in the medical record). Always follow the chain of command and be open to alternatives (e.g., change in assignment).

The website for the Florida BON and the Florida Nurse Practice Act are not easy to navigate. I can't find an online reference for abandonment (RN-pt). I'd suggest giving them a call and follow up with a letter so you'll have something for your file at home.

Batman24 · Apr 6, 2009

This wouldn't be abandonment in NJ as you never accepted assignment and took report. I believe the same will hold true for you.

Did you put anything in writing stating why you were declining the assignment?! I would have. You should let them know in wiriting that you didn't accept the assignment because it was unsafe staffing and you felt it put the patients at risk.

I think more nurses should be willing not to accept dangerous assignments. If everyone stood firm and they knew we wouldn't accept it we would get more help. And if ypu take on more than you can handle and something does happen the facility will hang you out to dry and ask why you accepted. Protect your patients and your license and decline.

allnurses Guide · Apr 6, 2009

This wouldn't be abandonment in NJ as you never accepted assignment and took report. I believe the same will hold true for you.
Did you put anything in writing stating why you were declining the assignment?! I would have. You should let them know in wiriting that you didn't accept the assignment because it was unsafe staffing and you felt it put the patients at risk.
I think more nurses should be willing not to accept dangerous assignments. If everyone stood firm and they knew we wouldn't accept it we would get more help. And if ypu take on more than you can handle and something does happen the facility will hang you out to dry and ask why you accepted. Protect your patients and your license and decline.

We have paperwork available to fill out if we refuse to accept an unsafe assignment.

And I agree with you - nurses should be willing to NOT accept dangerous assignments.

steph

ozoneranger · Apr 6, 2009

If you ask me, I think that we should be able to sue hospitals for abandonment when they knowingly push ratios that aren't safe. In fact, as advocates for our patients, we would be serving their interest more than our own.