help with abandoment issue

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I am new to nursing and need help with the following scenerio: I recently had to take care of a patient with an abusive husband. He started yelling at me as soon as I walked in the door. He then got up and approached me still yelling, I have to admit a felt a little frightened by his behavior. I asked him to stop, finished what I had to do and left the room. The house supervisor was called and came and spoke with him on his request. She never spoke to me. This has happened with several other nurses. He has even threatned another nurse, security was called. Administration has apologized to this man for our behavior and sent them flowers, we where all told to treat them as VIPs. The next time I worked I along with three other nurses refused to take this patient, the house supervisor wants us all fired and charged with abandoment. My question is can they actually do this.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Contact your Human Resource department with this issue. You have rights also, and they can explain them to you.

You post does not indicate what state you are in.... my state has very specific "safe harbor" statutes that protect nurses from unsafe situations, including threats to their personal safety. At any rate, you need to work within your own organization's policies and your own BON.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Wow, sounds like the house supervisor needs to get their head outta their butt. What happened to having security escorting him out? Thats what they should have done.

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I doubt it, if you all stand together. She sounds like a bully who is trying to control you with threats.

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You need to get HR involved immediately. Risk Management and the hospital attorney might also help to put a stop to the threats. If you are in a union I'd call your rep ASAP. I'd also call the BON to get some guidance. What you are doing isn't considered abandonment.

If the above doesn't help I'd call a lawyer. And I agree that there is strength in numbers. You should all stand your ground.

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

I agree with the previous comments.

This is from a NY State info site, http://www.op.nysed.gov/nurseabandonment.htm .

Nurse-Patient Relationship

A nurse-patient relationship begins when the nurse accepts responsibility for providing nursing care based upon a written or oral report of patient needs. A nurse-patient relationship ends when that responsibility has been transferred to another nurse and a report of patient needs has been communicated.

Objection to a Work Assignment

The decision to accept or reject an assignment must be based upon a critical judgement by the nurse of the nurse's ability to provide competent patient care. When a nurse is assigned to care for a patient or group of patients that is beyond the nurse's level of physical or professional competence, the nurse should immediately notify the first-line supervisor in writing of the objections to accepting the assignment. It should also be noted that future assignments in similar situations will be refused.

So, you may be in the clear; especially with the other refusing nurses as witnesses. I think your supervisor got flustered, lost their cool, and tried to intimidate you.

From your description, it sounds like they should have been protecting you, not harassing you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Definitely talk to HR, and your local Board of Nursing. If this man is threatening you, and he isn't a patient, he shouldn't be allowed on the unit.

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Specializes in med/surg, psych, public health.

"administration sent them flowers and we were all told to treat them like vips"

absolutely vomitrocius.

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

absolutely vomitrocius.

have you copyrighted that term? may i use it?

:D

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Have you copyrighted that term? May I use it?

:D

LOL. I like it too!! :lol:

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pedi., Critical Care.

When we have this happen the police escort the family member out! We are fortunate enough to have our own police department, but I would think that you would still have the same rights! I would NEVER put up with that. You are a public servant and if you are being threatened or harrassed while trying to perform your duties this is a serious offense. Your situation is far from abandonment.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
I am new to nursing and need help with the following scenerio: I recently had to take care of a patient with an abusive husband. He started yelling at me as soon as I walked in the door. He then got up and approached me still yelling, I have to admit a felt a little frightened by his behavior. I asked him to stop, finished what I had to do and left the room. The house supervisor was called and came and spoke with him on his request. She never spoke to me. This has happened with several other nurses. He has even threatned another nurse, security was called. Administration has apologized to this man for our behavior and sent them flowers, we where all told to treat them as VIPs. The next time I worked I along with three other nurses refused to take this patient, the house supervisor wants us all fired and charged with abandoment. My question is can they actually do this.

:banghead::no: You have GOT to be kidding me.

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