Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) in SNF/Sub-Acute Facility

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Can nurses that aren't part of a union use a Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) form in a SNF/Sub-Acute facility in the state of California? This facility seems very unsafe to work in and some nurses are worried that they are at risk for losing their license and causing harm to patients. Are there any means of protection?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Anyone in any state, regardless of whether you are part of a union, can document in some way or another that you feel an assignment is potentially unsafe. This doesn't mean you aren't liable for you actions while caring for those patients, or that you don't have to accept the assignment (and not be fired).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! So what is the purpose of the form then or documenting? Is it just to document that you've notified the right people and consequences will rest with the employer? That's the jist I got from looking up the form: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/sites/default/files/nnu/files/pdf/va/NNU_ADO-Revised_10-27-14.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Are those forms even legally binding? It's produced by the NNU, but not any state or federal statute, unless I'm unaware?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have never seen these in SNF or in my state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What exactly do you deem unsafe and would cause you to lose your license? I don't feel people understand fully what would cause them to lose their license. The term unsafe is used when people don't like the facility and assignments given.

If this facility is truly unsafe, then why is it not being reported? They would have to be doing illegal things.

Look, if you are unhappy with your job, find a new one. But if it truly that bad, report the facility.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What exactly do you deem unsafe and would cause you to lose your license? I don't feel people understand fully what would cause them to lose their license. The term unsafe is used when people don't like the facility and assignments given.

If this facility is truly unsafe, then why is it not being reported? They would have to be doing illegal things.

Look, if you are unhappy with your job, find a new one. But if it truly that bad, report the facility.

It sometimes itn't as simple as "reporting the facility." I attempted to report the psychiatric facility that I worked at to the state and I was told that on paper, the facility had proper staffing. Never mind that the staff was so spread out, due to the number of patients, that staff wasn't able to intervene when teenage girls began banging their heads into the wall.

On paper, the facility was covered! And that was all that mattered.

So, good luck to anybody who reports a facility for being unsafe and illegal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not necessarily a viable option in LTC. Historically understaffed and with the same problems over the years. People trying this tactic will most likely be invited to find new employment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What exactly do you deem unsafe and would cause you to lose your license? I don't feel people understand fully what would cause them to lose their license. The term unsafe is used when people don't like the facility and assignments given.

If this facility is truly unsafe, then why is it not being reported? They would have to be doing illegal things.

Look, if you are unhappy with your job, find a new one. But if it truly that bad, report the facility.

A little bit overly-reductive, no? If you don't approve of the terminology (losing one's license) or feel that concern relates to a possibility that doesn't exist, then perhaps consider it from an ethical standpoint - which is what I think most people are actually concerned about when they bring up these issues. Surely you don't believe that maintaining all of the ethical standards with which we are charged is a walk in the park in some of these places?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment