Patient abandonment

Nurses Professionalism

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I quit in the middle of my shift leaving my pts with two other RN's, the DON and the medical Dr. No formal shift report was given. Is this considered pt abandonment?

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Did anyone accept responsibility for your patients?

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If your former employer wants to put forth any effort to make your life miserable, they can at least make an argument that is was abandonment. It doesn't really matter how many other qualified personnel were present; did they know you were leaving? You said you didn't give any "formal" (?) report. Reporting off to a qualified individual who agrees to accept responsibility for the clients is what typically makes leaving not abandonment, so, if you didn't do that, it's certainly a grey area at best.

This was really not a smart move. I hope you had some really remarkable, extraordinary reason for doing this, and I hope it will work out okay for you.

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If you have , call them for guidance.

I have no idea the circumstances surrounding this incident, (and interestingly, often times nurses are fired well into taking report and begining their day with no warning and are escorted off property without giving report) however, it could be considered abandonment in this instance.

Hard to say, so call your malpractice insurance.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Go to your state BON website and look up what they define as abandonment. Then take a hard an​d​ honest​ look at what you did and see if it meets that criteria.

Then call your carrier, be completely honest with them, and get their guidance. If you don't carry malpractice insurance, call an attorney, preferably one who had dealt with BONs. You can find one here: TAANA Executive Office - Home. You REALLY want as much legal guidance as you can get because if they report you to the BON and you did indeed meet criteria for abandonment, your license will be on the line.

Realize that regardless of whether you met criteria for abandonment, there is a good chance you may lose your job anyway.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Realize that regardless of whether you met criteria for abandonment, there is a good chance you may lose your job anyway.

Since OP states they quit, I don't think that's going to be an issue.

OP, I hope there was good cause to quit in the middle the shift. Not really professional, and word will get around- this could hurt any future potential jobs. As to your question about abandonment, that will depend on what your facility considers giving report and acceptance of an assignment, as well as your state's definition of abandonment. You stated you didn't give a formal shift report; what kind of report did you give? Your facility certainly has the capability to make your life difficult; I echo the suggestion of legal assistance either through or through other resources provided above.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Since OP states they quit, I don't think that's going to be an issue.

Ah, it was obvious, so of course I missed it :lol:

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I have no idea about the legalities of your decision. I do have questions.

Are YOU OK? Do you want to talk about why you made this decision? I assume you are intelligent and had a valid reason.

What gives and how can we help? No judgment - promise!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I thought it sounded like a homework question.

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Awe, Ruby Vee. I love your cynicism! (and sarcasm)

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I thought it sounded like a homework question.

I hope it's a homework question. I would hate to think a nurse could walk out on his/her patients in the middle of a shift.

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I hope it's a homework question. I would hate to think a nurse could walk out on his/her patients in the middle of a shift.

It happens.

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