Is this legal?

[brockclan3, LVN]

I work home health in Texas for a government program taking care of nuclear and uranium workers in their home, most patients with around the clock care in 12 hour shifts. I have noticed that there have been staffing issues and regularly see nurses being asked to work 24 hour shifts to provide coverage for their patients. After working the night shift recently I was informed that the day nurse had called off and they were trying to find a replacement and I could not leave my patient until a replacement was found. Patient safety is the highest importance but what are my rights here? The NPA states in Texas nurses may refuse mandatory overtime in a hospital setting but is it different in a home health setting? 

[Kitiger, RN]

I can see being required to do an old-fashioned double (16 hours), but even that should be rare, like no more than once/month. 

If your agency requires 24 hours straight . . . RUN! If the agency cannot staff these cases, they have no business taking them on. 

OK, yeah, you can't abandon your patient. But you don't have to go back.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Maximum number of hours a nurse can work here is 16 hours.  Big trouble, fines and state involvement if employers violate this.  Not sure about where you work, but report them to the state regulatory agencies in private.