Can a supervisor force you to take a second floor?

An employer can ask you to do anything included in your job description, which often includes "and other duties as assigned", so yes, they can ask you to do just about anything.

You're free to protect your license by refusing an assignment or additional patients, but your employer is free to terminate you for insubordination.

The nurse's shift is set for 3-11 and she always goes home at 9? I can understand occasional coverage for a colleague's family emergency but not every shift. Going forward do not agree to cover her 9-11 and make it clear that you are not responsible for indefinite coverage, she needs to arrange to work shorter shifts with the management, it's their problem to ensure coverage of her shifts.

You should have told her no, she can't leave, and the aide too! Then call the supervisor and tell him to deal with it. Or tell him you are leaving too. These people just make their own schedules??? Poor management. And you need to take it up the ladder to the DON.

I think at minimum you should have taken the issue directly to the supervisor instead of telling your coworker to tell him of your refusal.

I'm surprised you gave that away, essentially invited her to tattle and complain about you rather then bring a legitimate issue to mgmt yourself.

You were only asked to take the floor, you had not received report so yes, you can legally refuse, it is NOT abandonment. I would file a formal complaint with the governing body regulating nursing homes in your state and look for another job.

Usually, a nurse's job description is kind of murky. So a lot of "stuffing the bag" goes on and nurses are forced to do things outside of the box. However, when it comes to safety I reserve the right to have the last word. If I feel an assignment is unsafe I will not take it. End of story. Fire me if you want. I protect my license and the patients.

On the other hand if you take an assignment you knew it wasn't safe - you'll be entirely responsible if anything goes wrong. So my advice is: don't take an assignment, unless you feel you can handle.

I would have done the same. Being on two different floors and that many patients is too much of a liability. Sure they can ask and I think you were right to refuse but I would dust off your resume and look for new jobs. You will likely face backlash from this.

When I was in my first 6 months as an LPN, my DON has asked me to take 40 patients. Some of which were on vents, I was terrified to say no back then but I knew it my bones everything would go south if I had that many complicated patients with such little experience. Thankfully the wound nurse must have seen my terror and offered to take half the assignment. Point of the story is, if your alarm bells are ringing, stick to your guns, just be prepared for everything that comes after.