Job abandonment-CNA

[Vzuniga627]

I have a question. But first, heres the situation. Ive been accused for job abandonment as CNA because its true i walked out of work soon after i clocked in. I hadnt been designated a work area so no not like i left my patients hanging half way through but i get it. Its technically that. I did because i was disrespected by a coworker. Anyway...bottom line 5 days later i get a call by a co worker saying that they reported me to the state for JOB ABANDONMENT.

MY MAIN worry is that im a nursing student. Will this affect my nursing career?? Anybody know? I live in NJ.

[Asystole RN]

Been there,done that said:

OP stated she was " disrespected". Violence and disrespect are two different things. If OP was experience violence, walking out alone would not be a wise choice. Better to notify security and management.

The mistaken belief that violence in the workplace only takes the form of physical force is a part of the problem.

Quote

Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors.

Safety and Health Topics | Workplace Violence

[Asystole RN]

Kooky Korky said:

But you can't just walk out. You must talk with the boss and get permission to leave.

And it doesn't sound like there was actual violence in this case, in any form. Feeling disrespected doesn't mean the same thing as violence.

OP - where do things stand at this point?

Employment is not slavery nor indentured servitude.

Granted if one wants to maintain their employment relationship there are means and methods, if not then there is no requirement other than professional courtesy.

Violence in the workplace is not only a physical act. Verbal abuse is considered workplace violence.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Asystole RN said:

The mistaken belief that violence in the workplace only takes the form of physical force is a part of the problem.

Safety and Health Topics | Workplace Violence

Alrighty then. OP did you experience an "act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site" or verbal abuse?

[Asystole RN]

Kooky Korky said:

How do you know they never pursued it?

Also, walking out by CNA's could mean the nurses who remain become overburdened, thus patients might suffer from inadequate staffing.

A reasonable and prudent business, which every healthcare facility is a business, must take actions to accommodate for absent employees.

People do become sick and have family emergencies you know? All too often nurses are guilted into putting the company before themselves.

[Asystole RN]

Been there,done that said:

Alrighty then. OP did you experience an "act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site" ?

Don't forget to ask about verbal abuse.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

whatwasithinking75 said:

Hi

I'm in NJ and my suggestion would to be to immediately resolve the issue with your employer. It will interfere with your nursing license. You don't want to have to deal with NJ BON trust me....

Please tell us how an employment issue as a CNA could interfere with a nursing license.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

roser13 said:

Please tell us how an employment issue as a CNA could interfere with a nursing license.

NJ requires nursing assistants working in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to be certified.

If employer reports CNA to DHSS for job/patient abandonment, found guilty of abandonment charge, will then loose CNA certificate. BON accesses their websites looking for previous CNA/nursing license or ANY type of occupational license as part of nursing credentialing and revoked certificate for abandonment would be a red flag. Nurse will need to explain circumstance, may have license placed on probation or even denied depending on circumstances reported to DHSS.

One can check standing of CNA certificate here: License Management

Be aware it may take few months for disciplinary action to appear on website; you should get a letter from department informing you of revoked certificate.

Quote

Because this Nurse Aide's certification is revoked, this Nurse Aide is not considered in good standing. Please contact the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services at 1-866-561-5914 for further assistance.

This Nurse Aide cannot work as a certified Nurse Aide in New Jersey. If you have questions about the revocation, please call the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services

[Valcorie34, BSN, MSN, RN]

If they were redividing to give you an assignment, and you walked out. Well I would think that was a big fuzzy area. So I would document everything very carefully and wait to see what comes of it. Also, it may depend on how you handled the situation with your employer...Did you tell them you were leaving due to a problem with a co worker, let a nurse know, or just walk out? I would say that since your co worker reported you not your employer that means something also. If your employer did that would mean more. I would *think* you would be safe as a nursing student. However, I wouldn't use them as a reference if that is how you handle yourself at work. It seems highly unprofessional. If you have a personal problem with a disrespectful coworker, your should be proactive and solve it, or ignore it, or talk to a supervisor.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Job abandonment affects eligibility for unemployment and similar.

In NJ CNAs are not under the auspices of the BoN but the Department of health and senior services. Your certification could face discipline or revocation for walking off/abandoning your job. Any certification you ever had is reported to the NJ BoN when you apply for a nursing license by examination. You are ask if any certification was subject discipline, sanction or revocation. You may have to respond yes depending on the decisions of DHSS.

If you were a CHHA your certification would be immediately revoked as you cannot work as a CHHA without a credentialed home health agency as your employer. It would be questionable if you could be reinstated.

You would be ineligible for unemployment for abandoning your job.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Saying that the OP should not have walked out is NOT the same thing as saying she should put up with "abuse" from co-workers. It simply means the way she chose to handle it was unprofessional (to say the least). She should have addressed it by following the chain of command, writing an incident report, etc.

If I had an employee who walked out after clocking in without talking to me, they would absolutely face disciplinary sanction.

[Asystole RN]

NRSKarenRN said:

NJ requires nursing assistants working in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to be certified.

If employer reports CNA to DHSS for job/patient abandonment, found guilty of abandonment charge, will then loose CNA certificate. BON accesses their websites looking for previous CNA/nursing license or ANY type of occupational license as part of nursing credentialing and revoked certificate for abandonment would be a red flag. Nurse will need to explain circumstance, may have license placed on probation or even denied depending on circumstances reported to DHSS.

One can check standing of CNA certificate here: License Management

Be aware it may take few months for disciplinary action to appear on website; you should get a letter from department informing you of revoked certificate.

Job abandonment (which is the topic at hand) is not patient abandonment. Very different things.

[tcvnurse, BSN, RN]

I would really like to know what this 'disrespect' was. Did someone give you the side eye? Or did you assign motives to other peoples behavior ? Regardless, the ADULT thing to do would have been to have a chat with your supervisor, not walk out the door, completely ignoring your responsibilities and commitments. I think you have a lot of growing up to do if you are a nursing student.

Because guess what? Patients, doctors, visitors, at some point, someone is gonna 'disrespect' you. And how you respond under stress says a great deal about your character as a whole.