My DON accused me of patient abandonment during a snowstorm

[NurseScorpio88]

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.

[kp2016]

caliotter3 said:

Have the attorney send the communication to the ex-employer.

Very good idea. Having a lawyer draft a letter for you outlining the facts as you see them and demanding that they stop their slanderous allegations against you really shouldn't be too expensive and I would personally rather find a few hundred dollars in my budget than have this hanging over my head for years wondering if you have heard nothing because they didn't report you or if the BON just hasn't gotten around too it yet.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

NurseScorpio88 said:

Worse comes to worse I will probably do that.

You should do it now, before it ever goes to the BON. That's the whole point.

[jive turkey]

I don't get it, how on earth did you "abandon" your patients if another nurse that was scheduled to come in took report and documented caring for those patients? If you can get a hold of that nurse they should be able to confirm your situation.

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

JKL33 said:

Don't communicate with these people. Never faced this but I have to think I would have a lawyer send them whatever kind of letter is appropriate regarding their malicious and defamatory false allegations. ASAP.

The first thing a lawyer will tell you is not to communicate directly with them. The second thing is likely to be that you may be able to recover significant damages if they go forward with such an obviously unfounded accusation.

[Crush]

That is just plain nuts. Lawyer, write up a letter ( don't send without attorney consult though ) with situation, including all relevant information as mentioned on one of the previous posts. I agree, no communication with them though. All communication should go through an attorney. I have no idea what on earth they are thinking with this being abandonment since clearly you gave report to the oncoming nurse and they accepted the assignment.

[NurseScorpio88]

jive turkey said:

I don't get it, how on earth did you "abandon" your patients if another nurse that was scheduled to come in took report and documented caring for those patients? If you can get a hold of that nurse they should be able to confirm your situation.

That's the thing that made me confused, which part did I abandoned the patient if I gave the report already.

[NurseScorpio88]

Crush said:

That is just plain nuts. Lawyer, write up a letter ( don't send without attorney consult though ) with situation, including all relevant information as mentioned on one of the previous posts. I agree, no communication with them though. All communication should go through an attorney. I have no idea what on earth they are thinking with this being abandonment since clearly you gave report to the oncoming nurse and they accepted the assignment.

DON said I left the building without telling her during the Snowstorm when everybody stayed. I asked her though if I can stay and have the day off the next day which she refused.

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

Yeah you work for an idiot. Unfortunately this is not unusual. Welcome to Nursing!!!! Your DON messed up and she is trying to throw you under the bus. Get a lawyer and fight back immediately before the super-geniuses at the BON get involved and try to wreck your life

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

absolutely.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

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.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Reading this I'm so angry for you. Usually in the "I'm fired and I don't understand why" posts, the poster clearly did something wrong. Not in this case. You've be handed an injustice.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I agree that you should get a lawyer. Do you have malpractice insurance? You can start with a lawyer there. But everything should go through them. It will be money well spent.