My DON accused me of patient abandonment during a snowstorm

Nurses General Nursing

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Today, I was accused of patient abandonment for leaving work during a snowstorm. Please enlighten me!

I was working 7-3 last Tuesday, there was a snowstorm coming. I had asked my DON if I can do a double shift for that day and have a day off the next day. She told me no and that can't happen because there will be probably more call outs the next day because of the storm. So I gave the status report of my patient to next incoming nurse, did our narcotics count and went home thinking that I have to come back the next day since they're not allowing me to do double and have the day off. I went home and help my husband shovel, I never even paid attention to my Phone because I was worried of my Husband going to work ( we were getting 18 inches of snow that day and he is a nurse as well)

When I checked my Phone my DON left me 2 messages, she told me that I was supposed to do a double today and have my day off the next day. Apparently I didn't know about this until 7pm, so I called her and shes not there anymore. Called her the next day and she said to come see her on Monday and that she won't discuss anything over the phone. (Called her on a Wednesday and I have 4 days off, Monday is my next duty sched)

I talked to her today (Monday) and she said she is going to report me to the BON for abandoning of posts, patient abandonment. Her reason was I left the building without saying anything to her, but my question is

1. Can it be abandonment if I did my status report with the incoming nurse?

2. Can it be abandonment if my other colleagues saw me left the building?

Please enlighten me because this is my First Job.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Sorry for the edit but I forgot to mention that I gave my 2 weeks last Wednesday ( the day they took me off the schedule-- and made it look like they gave me a day off). After the DON told me that I was abandoning my post for leaving last Tuesday, DON asked me when is supposed to be my last day, told them March 28, they said no Today (Monday 3/19/18) is your last day, you are done. Get your things and do not say anything to anyone on your floor.

then this happened...

My Senior Nurse just called me after her shift today and told me that they've been telling everyone that I resigned effective immediately today. My senior nurse was surprised, she then told the DON that, it is not my character to do that. And that it does not make any sense at all that I went to work just to tell them I resigned.

I was just trying to help out, since I was there already. All I want is a day off the next day.

Also this Nursing Home has no HR Department so you don't really know who to ask.

Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
NurseScorpio88 said:
At that time I was supposed to go to another floor because there was a call out. I approached her twice I said if I will do a double can I take the next day off. She said No twice and walk out. She kept insisting that I knew about it that I'm covering the other floor and that I left but then again I'm done with my shift I gave my status report, all my patients were stable. And everybody stayed expect me, I didn't stay because why would I if I'm not allowed to do a double and have a day off.

I don't know about the unemployment. On my resignation I stated the reason why I'm leaving the Facility. Is that a bad thing? Or probably was that the reason why they fired me instead of waiting for my last 2 weeks to be done?

And we dont have union.

I don't know what you stated on your reason for resignation. You need to be truthful, but discreet. You can simply state it wasn't an appropriate fit for you.

1 Votes

I live in the mountains and we get plenty of snow. Frequently the roads have not been plowed when I head out, I did not spend a lot on my car; it is a 13 year-old AWD Subaru and I never miss work due to weather.

No matter how you do it if you live where it snows you need to find a way to get to work.

1 Votes
Specializes in CCU, surgical acute, subacute.

You reported off to another nurse. That's not abandonment. Now if there was no one to relieve you and you just left that would be a different story. Your DON sounds cray cray. I'm sorry this is happening. Reminds me of my SNF days. They couldn't keep anything straight and they were constantly flipping the script when they knew they'd screwed up. Sending you all the good vibes that this all pans out (which I have a feeling it will)

1 Votes
SobreRN said:
I live in the mountains and we get plenty of snow. Frequently the roads have not been plowed when I head out, I did not spend a lot on my car; it is a 13 year-old AWD Subaru and I never miss work due to weather.

No matter how you do it if you live where it snows you need to find a way to get to work.

I was able to come to work that day. Handed off a report to the reliever and left.

1 Votes
dimpledRN said:
You reported off to another nurse. That's not abandonment. Now if there was no one to relieve you and you just left that would be a different story. Your DON sounds cray cray. I'm sorry this is happening. Reminds me of my SNF days. They couldn't keep anything straight and they were constantly flipping the script when they knew they'd screwed up. Sending you all the good vibes that this all pans out (which I have a feeling it will)

This is a New DON in charge. I remember from the previous DON who were there for 23 years but left, if there's a snow storm or any normal days she would asked us to do a double then give us a day off the next day or whenever we wanted it this is to compromise.

1 Votes

While it’s not job abandonment they didn’t actually fire you. I recently dealt with something similar. I gave my notice to an employer and they told me it was effective immediately. I called the labor board and told it was at the discretion of the employer once I gave notice when it becomes effective. She can report away, you gave your end of shift report and were relieved by the oncoming shift.

1 Votes
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