Charge Nurse Question

[faithwoman]

I have only been a nurse for 6 months and I am working on a med/surg unit that holds up to 40 patients. I work nights and a couple of times they have actully made me charge for the whole floor. I do not want to be charge because I do not have enough experience. The last time they told me I had to be charge they were also going to give me a whole team of patients (6 starting out). I did stand my ground and tell them that if they wanted me to be charge then the only patient load I could handle was three patients. I ended up taking an admit because the other nurses already had 6 and 7 patients. My question is, can they make me be charge? Can I actually tell them I will not be charge without putting my license on the line? I have asked several nurses I work with, and I am getting conflicting information. Anyone out there know the laws concerning this matter?

[TazziRN, RN]

Generally, if you know you do not have the expertise to handle an assignment for whatever reason and you do it anyway, you are liable if you make a mistake and there is harm because of it. If you've squawked loudly and let the powers that be know you are not experienced enough for this, then they are also liable. In CA in union hospitals we can fill out a form that basically says the assignment is being accepted under protest and that it is unsafe.