abandonment

[grannie]

I have been written up and charged with abandonment for switching a shift with another nurse. This is a common practice on our unit, I usually am the one working for someone else. In fact 4 days before the warning I worked a shift for someone and we were shortstaffed. I might add for 16 years at this hospital I have never been written up for anything. She has not reported it to the state, or my malpractice carrier would get involved. Have spoken with her boss, got nowhere, should I just hire a lawyer or pursue it in hospital? I want it off my record. Thanks

[jsteine1]

I have been written up and charged with abandonment for switching a shift with another nurse. This is a common practice on our unit, I usually am the one working for someone else. In fact 4 days before the warning I worked a shift for someone and we were shortstaffed. I might add for 16 years at this hospital I have never been written up for anything. She has not reported it to the state, or my malpractice carrier would get involved. Have spoken with her boss, got nowhere, should I just hire a lawyer or pursue it in hospital? I want it off my record. Thanks

If this is common practice and you have names of others who have done this on a regular basis, find out if they have also been charged with abandonment.Gather your facts, names ,dates, shifts .

By switching a shift, you are saying that the prescribed number of staff members were there, just different people than originally planned? And was it a direct switch in terms of license, IE an Rn for an RN or an LPN for an LPN.

If this is common and most importantly, an accepted practice at your facility,if the switch was equal in license type and it happens regularly throughout the faciity, there is more to this story. So calmly gather the above information and once again approach your supervisor with the facts. If he/she holds her ground, follow your employers grievance procedure as to who to go to next. If all the above is true and you can supply names dates shifts, your supervisor has only two choices: write up every person who ever participated in shift switching OR expunge your employee record.

Let us know how this turns out.

[misschelei]

As far as I know a no call no show is not considered pt abandoment. Check the website for your local board of nursing. There should be definitions of pt abandoment listed there.

[jsteine1]

I have been written up and charged with abandonment for switching a shift with another nurse. This is a common practice on our unit, I usually am the one working for someone else. In fact 4 days before the warning I worked a shift for someone and we were shortstaffed. I might add for 16 years at this hospital I have never been written up for anything. She has not reported it to the state, or my malpractice carrier would get involved. Have spoken with her boss, got nowhere, should I just hire a lawyer or pursue it in hospital? I want it off my record. Thanks

Please verify as there are 2 categories of abandonment:

There is job abandonment and the definition and consequences vary somewhat and is stated in the employers personnel policies.

Then there is patient abandonment, another issue entirely.

do you know which one your writeup referred to?

[DusktilDawn]

Any place I've worked for required that shift changes needed to be approved.

If this switch was approved, I don't understand the issue here.

Is your management trying to say that because the shift was shortstaffed you were supposed to come in?

Did the person you switch with not show up?

Did you follow the facilities policies concerning shift exchanges?

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

you did not mention how close to shift time you made the switch. That could make a difference in whether or not the other person had time to get to the unit by report time. The above post is correct, find out EXACTLY what is being charged against you. Talk to the people in HR. They are usually easier to talk to.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Please verify as there are 2 categories of abandonment:

There is job abandonment and the definition and consequences vary somewhat and is stated in the employers personnel policies.

Then there is patient abandonment, another issue entirely.

do you know which one your writeup referred to?

very good points.

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

There is just too many missing pieces to this situation. Agree with other posters advice. Gather info, be specific and factual, present your case honestly, and be prepared defend your actions. I do not think this job would be one I would keep after this situation is resolved. Good luck, remember a little prayer always helps any situation.

[grannie]

First let me thank all of you for responding. There is m y hosital policy re: abandonment and it is no call no show when you are scheduled to work. Switching a shift or getting another RN to take your place has never been a problem throughout the hospital. I worked for another nurse 4 days before I was written up and we were shortstaffed then. I have documentation from that nurse as well as the one who worked for me, she told the director 2 days prior to the switch she was working for me. The email the director sent states you cannot switch if the unit is shortstaffed. Now nurses are saying they will just call off. She sent this email the day after she gave me the warning. I know none of this makes sense, but this person has no control, she rants and raves I have witnessed her throw keys at another nurses feet and almost step on her fingers when she attempted to pick them up. This is one example of what I am dealing with. The shame of it is we witnessed this and did nothing. She screams at anyone who calls her for whatever reason when she is on call. There is no one on the unit who has not been attacked in some way. She has been fired from a prior position for anger management issues got a lawyer and is back in this position at the same hospital. I guess I refuse to be another victim. I have spoken to the staff representative who knows her well, knows she dosen't back down will never admit she is wrong. She has asked me to give her a few days to try to ressolve this. But I think I will still be going to a lawyer. Will keep you posted again thanks.

[Luv2BAnurse]

I couldn't see myself continuing to work with/for someone like that. Oh my goodness.

[mandrews]

I couldn't see myself continuing to work with/for someone like that. Oh my goodness.

ditto

melissa

[William_SRNA]

It really doesn't matter what the facility says abandonment is. (unless it peretains to the facility alone and your job). The state takes a differetn view as far as aptient abandonment is concerned, and from what you said the state BON would just laugh at this clown if she did contact them. The only worry you have is with your employer and not the state.