My DON accused me of patient abandonment during a snowstorm

Nurses General Nursing

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Today, I was accused of patient abandonment for leaving work during a snowstorm. Please enlighten me!

I was working 7-3 last Tuesday, there was a snowstorm coming. I had asked my DON if I can do a double shift for that day and have a day off the next day. She told me no and that can't happen because there will be probably more call outs the next day because of the storm. So I gave the status report of my patient to next incoming nurse, did our narcotics count and went home thinking that I have to come back the next day since they're not allowing me to do double and have the day off. I went home and help my husband shovel, I never even paid attention to my Phone because I was worried of my Husband going to work ( we were getting 18 inches of snow that day and he is a nurse as well)

When I checked my Phone my DON left me 2 messages, she told me that I was supposed to do a double today and have my day off the next day. Apparently I didn't know about this until 7pm, so I called her and shes not there anymore. Called her the next day and she said to come see her on Monday and that she won't discuss anything over the phone. (Called her on a Wednesday and I have 4 days off, Monday is my next duty sched)

I talked to her today (Monday) and she said she is going to report me to the BON for abandoning of posts, patient abandonment. Her reason was I left the building without saying anything to her, but my question is

1. Can it be abandonment if I did my status report with the incoming nurse?

2. Can it be abandonment if my other colleagues saw me left the building?

Please enlighten me because this is my First Job.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Sorry for the edit but I forgot to mention that I gave my 2 weeks last Wednesday ( the day they took me off the schedule-- and made it look like they gave me a day off). After the DON told me that I was abandoning my post for leaving last Tuesday, DON asked me when is supposed to be my last day, told them March 28, they said no Today (Monday 3/19/18) is your last day, you are done. Get your things and do not say anything to anyone on your floor.

then this happened...

My Senior Nurse just called me after her shift today and told me that they've been telling everyone that I resigned effective immediately today. My senior nurse was surprised, she then told the DON that, it is not my character to do that. And that it does not make any sense at all that I went to work just to tell them I resigned.

I was just trying to help out, since I was there already. All I want is a day off the next day.

Also this Nursing Home has no HR Department so you don't really know who to ask.

Leader25 said:
Get a lawyer , how dare they treat you like that,the DON was just covering her incompetent butt.Document everything ,you can send a letter certified return receipt to Human resources (although the name human is big on them)do not be afraid to fight for yourself.

Unfortunately we do not have HR Dept that is why everything goes to her (DON)

1 Votes
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

The only universe where that is abandonment is her fictional universe.

She needs to woman up and own her decision. Not interfere with the livelihood of another person. I agree with the advice to get a lawyer. I would hope that a letter from an employment or nurse-attorney would set her straight

1 Votes
NurseScorpio88 said:
I forgot to mention ( so I edited my post) that I gave my 2 weeks notice last Wednesday.

Pretty sure you can get unemployment. Pretty sure that will cheese them off to no end. Pretty sure that's what I'd be doing.

1 Votes
Here.I.Stand said:
The only universe where that is abandonment is her fictional universe.

She needs to woman up and own her decision. Not interfere with the livelihood of another person. I agree with the advice to get a lawyer. I would hope that a letter from an employment or nurse-attorney would set her straight

I know. This had me all confused because I was told it's abandonment since I left the building without telling her amidst the storm.

1 Votes
Specializes in ER.

Right now, get a copy of any policies that relate to weather emergencies, so you have proof you don't have to check in with the DON if the weather is bad. Also, save a copy of the facility printed schedule. They would have to notify you in writing to change your shifts formally. You'll have proof you did your own scheduled shift.

1 Votes

Make sure you document exactly what happened. Then save it/put it somewhere that you won't lose it. Any further communications--document away and save them. Show all documentation to a lawyer.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.

My don kneecaps ******* on the reg. But really he doesn't do it himself, he gets the capos to do it.

1 Votes
gemmi999 said:
Make sure you document exactly what happened. Then save it/put it somewhere that you won't lose it. Any further communications--document away and save them. Show all documentation to a lawyer.

That is exactly what I'm doing right now. Writing everything that had happened. Thank you

1 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

No. That is not abandonment. First, do 2 things: Contact your Union Rep if you have one. Next, contact the Board of Nursing yourself and report what happened. You will need to document everything and do it while it's fresh.

Your patients were covered by the nurse to whom you reported off to. If your D.O.N. failed to contact you, or have Staffing contact you regarding your time off, then they are to blame, not you. And voice mails don't count, nor would they hold up in court because there is no guarantee that the voice mail will be heard. Many facilities do not accept voice mails for call offs etc. One has to actually speak to whomever is assigned to receive call ins.

Don't let this lie. Clear it up pronto. Are you able to collect Unemployment in your state? It wouldn't hurt to get a statement from the nurse who defended you either.

1 Votes
Have Nurse said:
Don't let this lie. Clear it up pronto. Are you able to collect Unemployment in your state? It wouldn't hurt to get a statement from the nurse who defended you either.

She should be able to collect unemployment. I'm pretty sure the DON is throwing around "abandonment" and "reporting" to try to prevent her from doing so because you can't collect if you were "fired for cause". The DON is all kinds of slimy. OP file for unemployment immediately. Call a lawyer immediately. You need to protect yourself.

2 Votes
Have Nurse said:
No. That is not abandonment. First, do 2 things: Contact your Union Rep if you have one. Next, contact the Board of Nursing yourself and report what happened. You will need to document everything and do it while it's fresh.

Your patients were covered by the nurse to whom you reported off to. If your D.O.N. failed to contact you, or have Staffing contact you regarding your time off, then they are to blame, not you. And voice mails don't count, nor would they hold up in court because there is no guarantee that the voice mail will be heard. Many facilities do not accept voice mails for call offs etc. One has to actually speak to whomever is assigned to receive call ins.

Don't let this lie. Clear it up pronto. Are you able to collect Unemployment in your state? It wouldn't hurt to get a statement from the nurse who defended you either.

At that time I was supposed to go to another floor because there was a call out. I approached her twice I said if I will do a double can I take the next day off. She said No twice and walk out. She kept insisting that I knew about it that I'm covering the other floor and that I left but then again I'm done with my shift I gave my status report, all my patients were stable. And everybody stayed expect me, I didn't stay because why would I if I'm not allowed to do a double and have a day off.

I don't know about the unemployment. On my resignation I stated the reason why I'm leaving the Facility. Is that a bad thing? Or probably was that the reason why they fired me instead of waiting for my last 2 weeks to be done?

And we dont have union.

1 Votes
Wuzzie said:
She should be able to collect unemployment. I'm pretty sure the DON is throwing around "abandonment" and "reporting" to try to prevent her from doing so because you can't collect if you were "fired for cause". The DON is all kinds of slimy. OP file for unemployment immediately. Call a lawyer immediately. You need to protect yourself.

I don't think I'm going to get the unemployment. They will reason out about me leaving that day, thats probably their plan after all to fire me its just that I handed off my resignation earlier than what they've expected.

1 Votes
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