Patient Abandonment?

[Anna molly]

I have kind of a unique situation.  To help with staffing, my facility (a SNF in Illinois) will frequently ask nurses to pick up partial shifts (usually 4-5 hours) for med pass times and then tell them they can leave once the tasks are completed. This frequently happens on night shift (7p-11p). The building is never left without a nurse, there will be at least 2-3 other nurses in the building but at times a unit is left with just a CNA and the understanding if a nurse is needed one of the other nurses in the building addresses the concern.

My question is can the nurse that is only scheduled that partial shift be liable if something happens on their unit after they leave or is care transferred to the other nurses in the building. I myself have been frequently in this situation so when I leave I make sure the other nurses are aware I am leaving and I will count the narcs and give them report and/ or leave a written report as well but is there a way I could be held liable or be considered abandoning the assignment if no nurse is "technically" relieving me. 

Tia

[No Stars In My Eyes]

I'd say if you counted the narcs and gave report, the rest is up to the facility. Very seriously doubt you'd be held liable. 

[blenderbottle]

You will and should be help accountable if you did not give report to other nurse.

[MunoRN, RN]

Best I can tell, you're staying to help with tasks, the nurse on through the night is the primary nurse to start with.  In this case it's not abandonment and you're only accountable to the specific tasks you engaged in.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

 Always chart you have given report to nurse XYZ. Leaving a written report can be tricky. In that case... chart that  report sheet handed to nurse XYZ.