Quit Job and Now Accused of Abandonment

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

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I quit my job without notice. I had a very good reason to do that. I am a manager and not responsible for patient care. No one was abandoned. Everyone was safe. 

I sent an email about my resignation including my reasons and a higher up person (not a nurse) stated that my company would be filing a complaint with the board of nursing for patient abandonment because I did not give notice. 

I know it’s BS. But I want to hear from you if this has happened to you and how it played out. 

I already have a lawyer specializing in whistleblowers. Just need to hear from people who’ve been there and the moral support.

Tell them to save their breath to cool their soup!  In order for professional abandonment charges to stick, a licensed nurse must agree to 'accept' a patient(s) into their care and then not provide the due diligence that a reasonably prudent practitioner would provide-I.e. abandoning their charge.  In my opinion, this is much ado about nothing but do retain an attorney in the event that your former employer carries through with their vindictive action. 

Specializes in ER.

Glad I'm out of Nursing...

Specializes in OB.

I'm glad you know it's BS, because it is.  How petty that they're stooping to that level to intimidate you.  I haven't been through this myself, but I offer you a big virtual hug and staunch moral support ❤️

Specializes in retired LTC.
35 minutes ago, morelostthanfound said:

Tell them to save their breath to cool their soup! . 

Love this !  ^^^^^

OP - good luck to you. My hat's off to you for your gutsy-ness! And a big thumb's up, too.

2 hours ago, FolksBtrippin said:

a higher up person (not a nurse) stated that my company would be filing a complaint with the board of nursing for patient abandonment because I did not give notice. 

? Someone sounds confused. Either that or just room temperature IQ.

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Holy *** that's next-level pettiness. What a bunch of assmunches.

Can I ask, just out of curiosity - what was your reason for not giving notice?

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
2 hours ago, klone said:

Holy *** that's next-level pettiness. What a bunch of assmunches.

Can I ask, just out of curiosity - what was your reason for not giving notice?

I'm trying not to out myself on here, so I'm going to be vague. But it was due to an unethical and dangerous practice, that I had complained about and had not been fixed. 

I hope your lawyer understands the difference between job abandonment and patient abandonment. Some don't.

2 hours ago, FolksBtrippin said:

I'm trying not to out myself on here, so I'm going to be vague. But it was due to an unethical and dangerous practice, that I had complained about and had not been fixed. 

Wow, it is very brave of you to take a stand and honor your moral code.  That can be scary.  As a fellow nurse I support you.  More of us should stand up against the substandard practices that companies impose on us.  Hopefully they are just blowing smoke, and you can get on with recovering from this?.

Specializes in nursing.

LOL tell them to go ahead and while they do that tell them to read your state nursing practice act so that in the future they will know what they are talking about.

Specializes in Dialysis.

They can complain to state all they want...the worst thing, in reality, that they can do is not give good feedback on a reference, if you list them. To some companies, the why's (not giving notice) won't matter. It's sad that they have to be petty like that

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