Abandonment

Lovely_RN, MSN · Apr 7, 2009

I think the key is documentation. If you don't put into writing that you are refusing the assignment then you can't prove what you did or didn't do regarding taking report and accepting an assignment. I learned a lot from this thread too and from now on if I feel an assignment is unsafe I will put into writing that I am refusing and I will always make sure to take a copy for myself. I think I will also print out what my state's BON has to say on the matter so that I can attach it my letter to the facility before I walk out the door. It may sound like overkill but the name of the game is CYA always and forever.

I also agree with Oz2 I'm already tired of the B.S and will be looking for the way out in a few years.

Oz2 · Apr 7, 2009

I learned a lot from this thread too and from now on if I feel an assignment is unsafe I will put into writing that I am refusing and I will always make sure to take a copy for myself. I think I will also print out what my state's BON has to say on the matter so that I can attach it my letter to the facility before I walk out the door. It may sound like overkill but the name of the game is CYA always and forever.

Me too, Bx! And let me add...I'll have a witness sign too.

Nurses that accept unsafe assignments...hurt patients and our profession. Get a spine or step down!

I agree, Bradley.

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 7, 2009

I do not think the OP's license is in danger.

The OP did lose a job.

Leaving before a patient assignment is probably not considered abandonment by the BON, but can get you fired from your job.

Could the situation have been handled better?

Was there any attempt to contact other nurses to come in? Offer a bonus/bribe for any nurses willing to work overtime?

kamani811 · Apr 7, 2009

For those that are curious, there is a sign-in book that let's you know where you will be and how many patients you will have. I have had the experience of taking the whole unit (48 patients) and the weekend supervisor left without doing anything about it. So I don't feel that I have any type of supervisory anyway. I truly do feel bad for the nurses that I left with those patients but I really did not want to experience another night of taking the whole unit. I left three nurses with what I would have had as one nurse.

kamani811 · Apr 7, 2009

According to the DON I had to be terminated because I was still in my 90 days and someone prior to me refused to take a cart and they fired her. I told that I had valid concerns but they couldn't keep me because PEOPLE WOULD TALK, HOW COME SHE CAN DO IT?

kamani811 · Apr 7, 2009

It was not a hospital, it is a LTC facility.

meluhn · Apr 7, 2009

Even if it wasn't abandonment it isn't being a team player. She should be fired for leaving without even trying to work it out. It shows an inflexible attitude. Her co workers are the ones who suffered for it.

Batman24 · Apr 7, 2009

According to the DON I had to be terminated because I was still in my 90 days and someone prior to me refused to take a cart and they fired her. I told that I had valid concerns but they couldn't keep me because PEOPLE WOULD TALK, HOW COME SHE CAN DO IT?

Somtimes things like this are blessings in disguise. Find another job and move on. You don't want to be taking on an assignment you feel is unsafe nor do you need to deal with this kind of idiocy. Sad as you are right now you will be better off in the long run.

Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN · Apr 7, 2009

I know each state has own regulations and facilities also but after clocking in and even getting report you can refuse the assignment. The nurse who you are relieving is the one who could be charged with abandonment if she leaves without having someone else to turn the pt's over to for care. I don't think the original poster said who she had notified other than trying to get the DON. Was there not another supervisor there? House supervisor, Clinical Manger?

Our CM has had to come and work on the floor more than once when staff would not accept the assignment. After all, CM is responsible 24/7. Should have had staff scheduled for acuity.

BradleyRN · Apr 8, 2009

Even if it wasn't abandonment it isn't being a team player. She should be fired for leaving without even trying to work it out. It shows an inflexible attitude.

Her coworkers have the same opportunity to refuse unsafe assignments. If being a "team player" means that you have to compromise the safety of the patients, then you are harming them and your "team". Not recognizing your right to refuse any assignment you feel to be unsafe is what is truly inflexible. The OP shouldnt be fired, she should receive a medal, and those who fall in line and give inadequate care as a result, should receive a lump on the head!:)

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

Even if it wasn't abandonment it isn't being a team player. She should be fired for leaving without even trying to work it out. It shows an inflexible attitude. Her co workers are the ones who suffered for it.

If she'd taken an unsafe assignment and something had happened, she could have lost her license and the patients would have suffered for it.

General advice, know your BON position on abandonment. I know mine. Protect your patients and your license by refusing unsafe assignments. Yes, I've refused a patient on more than one occasion because the one I had (2 pt max in PACU) was too unstable. Management saw I was correct and figured it out. I still have my job and patient safety was not comprimised.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

I think you could have handled the situation better. When you realized the situation was unsafe, did you make any attempt to say that if this was going to be your assignment, that you could not accept it and give them the opportunity to call someone else in?

You could have thrown the ball in their court.

No, they may not have been happy about it, but they may have called someone in if you clearly stated that you would not work unless they did...and you may still have a job.

It wasn't abandonment, as other nurses have said, because you didn't take report.