Patient abandonment?

[nursejoanna]

I took on an agency job as a side gig to make a little cash. Big mistake.

I was assigned to a LTC center. I work as a rehab nurse at my regular job. 

When I reported to my shift, the nurse on duty  and a patient began yelling and screaming obscenities at each other. Then the RN called police, stated some of the patients were violent , there was no security on staff and to call 911 again of any problems.

She then told me I would be caring for 6 covid positive patients. I asked for PPE, and she gave me an N95 that was 3 sizes too big for me, and said they had no eye protection.

During report I was told I was responsible for 30 patients including the Covid positive patients and that only 1 CNA was on the floor. 

I verbally expressed concern over the assignment but was pushed to take it. I did the narcotic count and the day RN left.

I then went to the other RN’s on the floor, expressed I could not take the assignment with  the patient acuity and lack of PPE and violent patients on the floor. 

The night nurse said she would take over and I left the facility.

I also sent a statement in writing to the agency as to why I could not take the assignment..

I am anxious that I may be reported for patient abandonment. Please advise.

Thanks ! 

[Davey Do]

9 minutes ago, nursejoanna said:

The night nurse said she would take over and I left the facility.

It's not patient abandonment if another nurse takes the responsibility, nursejoanna.

[HiddenAngels]

On 8/14/2022 at 5:11 PM, Davey Do said:

It's not patient abandonment if another nurse takes the responsibility, nursejoanna.

Yep. Only if you didn’t handoff to someone else.  
I know this is going to break your heart ♥️ but they probably won’t want you back there again.

[TryingtoThriveRN, ASN, BSN]

Yikes! Sounds like a whole catastrophic event waiting to happen. You reported to the nurse whom stated she’ll take over for you. You knew your ability, better to protect your license than to push yourself in an unsafe assignment load