Job abandonment

[Kjh1990]

I am a CNA in PA. Recently I came in while I was off for three hours to help out the staff. While I was at work and after being yelled at by a nurse screaming pointing her finger over top of me I threatened to go home. They said this is job abandonment. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the CNA staffing ratio in pa 1:20. And if the place is fully staffed and I give report to another aide that I'm in the clear. Not to mention I did not have an assignment nor did I get report from another aide. I was going in to help out for three hours. I've worked with plenty of other aides who have left, given report and have found number ours jobs with other facilities. I was just always told from previous RN's that as long as there is 1:20 and I give a report before I leave that as long as no one gets severely hurt or dies that I'm in the clear.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Job abandonment is different than patient abandonment. Walking out when on the clock without the approval of whoever is in charge of allowing staff to leave essentially means you've quit without notice.

[Kjh1990]

Yes I'm aware. My question is if I didn't even have an assignment I was going in to help them out and I was extremely disrespected by an lpn. I was always told that as long as you give report and the facility meets the 1:20 ratio that they cannot go after your certification

[Sour Lemon]

Yes I'm aware. My question is if I didn't even have an assignment I was going in to help them out and I was extremely disrespected by an lpn. I was always told that as long as you give report and the facility meets the 1:20 ratio that they cannot go after your certification

For job abandonment, that doesn't matter. When you accepted the assignment to "help out", you obligated yourself. Think of it as a mini contract, of sorts.

None of us have the luxury of walking off a job when we feel disrespected, not unless we're planning on being unemployed from that point on.

Next time, give yourself time to cool down instead of walking out. Address the issue with a supervisor at a later time. If you're still unsatisfied after that, put in your two weeks notice. Better yet, find another job first and then put in your two weeks notice.

Hopefully you'll be able to work things out with your employer, but expect that you might not be able to and plan accordingly.

[Kjh1990]

I've talked to my HR department and they too have said that my certification can not be touched because there was no harm and to the extent of me being treated. Thank you for your help. I still have my position and the nurse is facing disciplinary action.