Published
Oh dear. Wish you hadn't done that.
Depends. Did you take report or did someone else who was orientating you receive report at the beginning of the shift? Did you count narcotics or did someone else have the keys? Did you at any time assume care of patients? Better make a call to your SBON and run it by them.
I have personally seen many nurses walk out during orientation (esp in nursing homes). If you were with a preceptor and on orientation, I don't believe there is anything they can do to you. There must have been something wrong for you to leave like that - sometimes it's best to follow your instincts. Good Luck.
It is best that you get it in your head now that you CANNOT just walk off the floor. Imagine trying to concentrate while 9/11 was going on, or when a fellow co worker killed herself at work. Yup.....both times I had to suck it up and take care of sick people....stressful yes.....necessary ...yes. Even when my dad was raced to the ER critically ill I reported off to another nurse assuring the safety of my pts. Of course, in an emergency you certainly can leave (me leaving skid marks on the floor racing to the ER to check on dad) but in a controlled manner. (after explaining situation to supervisor and quickly give report to another nurse)
Hope you learned something and go on to enjoy a successful career!
I personnally have never experienced anything like this- but was always taught that your responsibility begins with the report you get. If you took report from the previous nurse-regardless of the orientator looking over your shoulder or not-you are than responsible and walking out constitues abandonment. Again-just what I've been taught. I agree with checking with the SBON on this one.
I thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth, Furball reminded me of when I was in my LPN clinicals 13 years ago and I got a call that my grandmother had died. My clinical instructor told me the news. She also told me that under no circumstances could I leave the floor without finishing my documentation and reporting off to another nurse.
Then a few years later, while on the job, I got a call that my dad had a stroke. I obviously had to wait for someone to get there to relieve me (I was the only nurse on night shift in a LTC facility) and leave my job in an orderly way (charting finished up, report off).
Then a few years later I got a call that my dad had died. Luckily I was in a position that I didn't need to have someone relieve me because I don't know if I could have dealt with that. (I was treatment nurse so the nurses on the stations just took over the treatments of their patients, plus it was the end of the day).
Kayzee, I hope this works out for you without any problems, but next time you are in a situation like this (if ever) and feel that you must leave, try to do so in a professional manner, in order to protect yourself and your patients. It sounds like it must have been an ordeal especially since you were orienting! Good luck! Like I said, I hope this works out for you.
Kayzee
218 Posts
Today I walked off a floor, because I could not take anymore of the stress. Was told I can not do this, and my nurs. license would be in jeopardy. I was on orientation. Is this possible?