patient abandonment

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My previous job threatened patients abandonment on me. I worked my regular day shift being the only nurse and LPN for that matter in the building. Second shift came and no one was able to relieve me. This all took place on a Sunday. I miscarried at 4 months and took no time off (wish I would have). I started cramping bad on Sunday and told the on call nurse I couldn't stay for second shift. She told me she was on her way this was at 1:30pm. Around 430 the pain subsided and I texted if I stay I need tomorrow off due to my DNC. She said I didn't have to she is on her way and that another employee is going to be their at 6 to relieve her. So I figured soon she would be their at 640 i had severe pain. Still no nurse available I went straight to the hospital. Still no nurse now I'm being accused of patient abandonment. I even called the adon no answer. I am a new nurse and scared to lose my license.

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What type of facility was this you're referring to?

(Also, sorry to hear of your miscarriage)

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I can't give legal advice, but my goodness I'm so sorry that happened to you, and very sorry for your loss. I think that's disgusting that you had a legitimate need for medical attention and had nobody to back you up. What if you'd had a PE or a burst aneurysm or something...it takes your choice out of the equation, but the facility would have been w/o an LPN all the same. They really need an emergency staffing plan for situations like this. Do you have ? If so, call them for advice. Hugs!!

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This was a long term care facility

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I don't have ..... Wish I would have

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Where was your DON in all of this?

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Recommend you seek legal representation at this time. When, and if, you receive notification from the Board of intended action, make an appointment. You can check out the referral service here: TAANA Executive Office - Home Until then, get on with your life. Many employers threaten that they are going to report an ex-employee to the Board and nothing comes of it.

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Their isn't a Don they come to the building and never stay

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I'm confused:

How many hours were you there?

At what time were you promised relief?

At what time did you notify the DON (or whoever you were communicating with) that you had a medical emergency?

At what time did you leave?

Who was on site to take care of the patients when you left?

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Sorry about your loss ((hugs))

Did you work at one of those "small house concept" places where it's difficult to tell who is where, let alone there at all?

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Specializes in ICU, M/S,Nurse Supervisor, CNS.

I'm so sorry for your loss and that you were placed in a position to have to make such a decision :(

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I know very little about the actual laws, as I think they vary from state to state.

I know at my last job, they told the nurse that if her relief calls off, she has to stay for the full shift or else it's considered pt abandonment. However, I believe someone stated later that that isn't accurate, that if the nurse who stays tells her supervisor, who is also a licensed nurse, that she can't stay, that she can't be mandated to stay longer than 4 hrs because the supervisor must come in because she have 4 hrs notice....

I'm not sure if this is true or not, though...

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