Refusing an assignment 1 day in advance

[Decisions7]

Hi, I was wondering, if I refuse to work an assignment 1 day in advance could I lose my nursing license?

[chare]

Lose your license? In my opinion, highly unlikely.

Lose your job? And get black listed by your current employer? Again, in my opinion, highly likely.

Best wishes.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

I agree with Chare that if you essentially pre-meditate refusing an assignment, you likely will be fired and blacklisted by your current employer.

In terms of having any impact on your license, that's very unlikely but I think it also depends on where you live and what you would be refusing the assignment for.

[buckchaser10]

It's no different than calling in. You didn't accept the assignment then either. Only difference is blatantly refusing an assignment can get you fired. May I ask why you don't want it?

[SarHat17, ASN, RN]

Is it like a "one and done" type patient/assignment? Sometimes there are personal and/or legitimate reasons it would be more appropriate to assign a different nurse to a certain patient/assignment. Sometimes there just aren't the resources or time to do that, so you have to go in and make the best of a less than desirable situation.

That being said, if there are legitimate reasons, that would be a conversation to be had with your manager/supervisor and go from there. Don't put yourself in a dangerous situation. And definitely have this conversation BEFORE you show up for your shift. No one benefits from having to scramble around assignments 5 minutes before shift change.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

Are you referring to asking the charge nurse to not assign you to the same patient? If so, depending on the situation you might be able to ASK if to have a different assignment the following day.

But you really can't refuse an assignment.

Call in sick or talk to others on you unit. Outright refusal never looks good. Do this BEFORE you start your shift,

[FloForLyfe, BSN, CNA, RN]

Thanks, RNNPICU and Thanks, chare.