My DON accused me of patient abandonment during a snowstorm

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

NurseScorpio88 said:
At that time I was supposed to go to another floor because there was a call out. I approached her twice I said if I will do a double can I take the next day off. She said No twice and walk out. She kept insisting that I knew about it that I'm covering the other floor and that I left but then again I'm done with my shift I gave my status report, all my patients were stable. And everybody stayed expect me, I didn't stay because why would I if I'm not allowed to do a double and have a day off.

Errrr....am I reading this wrong or is there actually a problem here?

Are you saying that she told you that she needed you to stay and go to a different area - and that you tried to negotiate the next day off for doing that?

It sounds like she wasn't saying no to the entire plan, but no to the idea that you would get the next day off after being mandated to stay longer that day.

Anyone want to comment on whether this changes things? I was originally under the impression that OP had both 1) offered to stay and 2) tried to negotiate the next day off, and that 3) the DON said "no" to all of it.

Now it sounds like that isn't exactly the case.

It's very possible you are being accused of abandoning your job; not patient abandonment. And I'm reading correctly, that would be true. It sounds like that's the decision you made.

?

1 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

Regarding unemployment: You should be able to apply for it, being fired is grounds to apply for it. Just explain in detail what happened in the narrative of the application. It would strengthen your claim if you can provide the contact information for witnesses. Be truthful and state to them what you stated to us.

1 Votes
NurseScorpio88 said:
At that time I was supposed to go to another floor because there was a call out. I approached her twice I said if I will do a double can I take the next day off. She said No twice and walk out. She kept insisting that I knew about it that I'm covering the other floor and that I left but then again I'm done with my shift I gave my status report, all my patients were stable. And everybody stayed expect me, I didn't stay because why would I if I'm not allowed to do a double and have a day off.

Wait, did you at any time ever agree to stay to cover the call-off on the other floor? It sounds like you did.

1 Votes
Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

Ok, this then sheds more light. You were asked to cover r/t another nurse called off on another floor or unit. Aka, you were asked to float, agreed to it but tried to negotiate a day off. DON said no to the day off because of the snow, she could not make that kind of guarantee. So technically you did not abandon your patients since you reported off to the oncoming shift for your floor but you left the other floor high and dry. So the nurse there had to stay since you did not.

I think that is what I am reading now?

1 Votes
JKL33 said:
Errrr....am I reading this wrong or is there actually a problem here?

Are you saying that she told you that she needed you to stay and go to a different area - and that you tried to negotiate the next day off for doing that?

It sounds like she wasn't saying no to the entire plan, but no to the idea that you would get the next day off after being mandated to stay longer that day.

Anyone want to comment on whether this changes things? I was originally under the impression that OP had both 1) offered to stay and 2) tried to negotiate the next day off, and that 3) the DON said "no" to all of it.

Now it sounds like that isn't exactly the case.

It's very possible you are being accused of abandoning your job; not patient abandonment. And I'm reading correctly, that would be true. It sounds like that's the decision you made.

?

No she did not asked me to stay. This is exactly what I said Monday afternoon before the snowstorm. DON, I can do a double tomorrow (tuesday-snowstorm day) if I can have the Wednesday off. She told me yes I could make that work. Tuesday came and there was no call out, my name was not on the sched too to do a double. I told my Senior Nurse the one that I work with all the time that I wish I can stay because I don't drive. I take uber going to work btw. So my Senior nurse called the Scheduler and asked if there was any call out, there was one Nurse unsure if shes still coming. I talk to the DON again, I asked her if I can do a double if there's any call out and have the next day off she said no they could not make it work since the snow will be until at 5AM and for sure there will be alot of call outs in the Morning. My understanding and the understanding of my Senior was they want to keep my schedule, that I would just do 7-3 last Tuesday and Wednesday which is my original sched. Also there was 5 Nurses on my floor. 1. My senior Nurse who is doing a double and on the schedule. 2. The Nurse who received me. 3. Extra Nurse. 4. Unit Manager who is staying until 5pm. 5. Assistant Unit Manager who is staying until 5pm as well.

2 Votes

Thank you Everyone. Will now consult a Lawyer í ½í¹í ¼í¿¼

2 Votes

Still not PATIENT abandonment. You never accepted the assignment, therefore no duty to care. But now I see why the DON was madder than a wet hornet. After you consult the lawyer, will you update us? Five gets you ten he or she says leave it be until you hear from the BON.

1 Votes
NurseScorpio88 said:
No she did not asked me to stay....

Okay. Got it.

Hope you get some help getting it straightened out.

1 Votes

Sorry that this is happening to you; yes please keep us posted. This is one of the reasons I pay for annual ...legal advice and representation included!

Good luck!

1 Votes
Specializes in Pediatric CVICU.

This story is wild. PAtient abandonment is a grossly misused phrase by the DON.

1 Votes

Get a lawyer and document everything you said about the DON refusing to give you a double shift. You were never informed that she changed her mind and as others have said, she probably ended up with not enough staff. The DON is trying to cover his or her butt, and putting you as blame. Whoever your HR is, involve your lawyer to help you.

You did not abandon anybody period... You were not told about her mind changing about the double shift. Get ahead of the DON as others have mentioned to protect yourself and license. I am sorry you have to deal with this and be strong through this.

2 Votes
Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

I would also contact the nurse you have report to and give her a heads up. She would be smart to document for her own protection that she took report from you. Nothing worse than being involved unwittingly in something that you don't even remember.

2 Votes
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