Can my nurses license be disciplined?

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I reported to work in the Intensive care unit and was assigned two really sick patients. 2 hours into the shift, the charge nurse informed me that I may receive a third ICU status patient. 15 minutes later, the director and my manager told me that I would have to float to a different unit because they sent a nurse home. I would be caring for 7 telemetry patients, all on monitors. I refused to float. The Director asked for my ID and I surrendered it. I Gave report on my current patients to two other staff nurses on duty, after informing the charge nurse, and being instructed to do so, documented this information then was escorted out of the building by my manager and director.

I had already put in my resignation, but I decided to quit that day.

I never went to telemetry and I never took report on any other patient.

Is this considered job abandonment, in terms of my license being tagged?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Doubt it.

You never took over those patients. However, since you are so concerned (and rightly so), I would advise you to discuss this with a lawyer who practice administrative law.

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You didn't abandon anyone. You were fired on the spot. I don't see any license issues here, just vicious management.

You say you had already resigned, so I hope you already have a job to go to. Best wishes on your new job. DO NOT tell them you were fired in the meantime!!!!

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Specializes in SRNA.

Job abandonment, in my opinion, would be leaving without giving report on your patients to someone who is going to assume care. You gave report on your patients to nurses who took over your assignment.

Although we won't know the answers for sure, Boards of Nursing typically don't take action against a license unless there was patient harm in some way. Is a nurse who is refusing a potentially unsafe assignment harming patients? No, not in my opinion.

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Thanks to everyone for responding so quickly.

This really helps me a ton.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I reported to work in the Intensive care unit and was assigned two really sick patients. 2 hours into the shift, the charge nurse informed me that I may receive a third ICU status patient. 15 minutes later, the director and my manager told me that I would have to float to a different unit because they sent a nurse home. I would be caring for 7 telemetry patients, all on monitors. I refused to float. The Director asked for my ID and I surrendered it. I Gave report on my current patients to two other staff nurses on duty, after informing the charge nurse, and being instructed to do so, documented this information then was escorted out of the building by my manager and director.

I had already put in my resignation, but I decided to quit that day.

I never went to telemetry and I never took report on any other patient.

Is this considered job abandonment, in terms of my license being tagged?

YOU did not abandon your patient as you gave report to two other nurses that are a competent replacement for you and they accepted that assignment. You never accepted the other patients and no one gave you report therefore you did not abandon them.

You do realize however that they will place you as terminated and not for rehire. Essentially you were fired. Being escorted out of the building even if you have a resignation in is not leaving on good terms.

I don't know what lead to these events but I wish you luck in the future. If you are concerned I would contact my (providing you have some) and check with a lawyer in case something comes up or just seek some legal advice. Good luck!

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Specializes in FNP- psych, internal med, pediatric.

In the court of law, God forbid it goes there, the answer is, "Under those unsafe conditions, which I refused to take part in, I never took report on the other patients meaning I never accepted the responsibility or accountability of them, however, under the given circumstances, I did document what was asked of me and reported to my supervisor that I could not accept the assignment." And to further yourself, should the need arise, "The risk of caring for those patients so under-staffed outweighed the benefit of me trying to care for such delicate people with complicated medical needs."

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Sounds like a real peach of a place to work. Hope they had fun covering the rest of your shift. You did nothing that would jeopardize your license. Good luck.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

It's hard to say how the terminated vs. resigned issue will play out. For your future ... the fact that that employer will indicate that you are "not eligible for rehire" is the important terminology.

IMHO, I think it's extremely unlikely that the employer will attempt to pursue any of this with the state board of nursing -- it would be a sad and unflattering commentary on their ability to staff a hospital.

PS -- it can feel very demeaning to walk out of work with a security contingent (I was once in those shoes) ... but in some places in various industries, not just health care, it is par for the course for all employees leaving on their last day - whether they are leaving because they've been terminated, resigned, or even retired. ;) Try to let it roll off you if you can.

Good luck to you.

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I think you were fired on the spot. However, your ex-boss can play dirty and make it hard for you. So, lawyer up when necessary.

Sounds like that place of work is very unsafe though. Just consider what happened a blessing in disguise. While it might be a difficult time for you right now, it could have been worst. So just be thankful of that.

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Hey everyone thanks for the continued replies.

I have no intention of returning to that organization because it is very unsafe.

I have already accepted a new position in specialty nursing.

I am also currently working on my MSN.

I just feel so bad for the patients, the poor care that they receive.

What is nursing coming to in Illinois?

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Hey everyone thanks for the continued replies.

I have no intention of returning to that organization because it is very unsafe.

I have already accepted a new position in specialty nursing.

I am also currently working on my MSN.

I just feel so bad for the patients, the poor care that they receive.

What is nursing coming to in Illinois?

LOL....our govenors have retirement plans that involve making license plates! Not a stellar place to occupy space on a map....:down:

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