So can i loose my certificate and or be jailed??

Published

Okay so hers the story. I worked in a nursing home for the last fifve months. For three of those months i hace been the only aid to be followed around by a nurse to make sure my residents were cleaned. I was never written up for it never had any training or suspended. My ADON told me that i had several complaints against me for my residents not being clean before i left, but no corrective action has ever been taken.

So yesterday i clocked out for my lunch and left. There were five othrr aids and four nurses on the floor all total.

My work called me and threatened patient abandonment, jail and a huge fine. Can they do it if i clocked out for lunch and left?

I cleaned everyone before i left, made the beds and took out the trash.

Can anyone give me some advice?? Much appreciated!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Did you tell anyone you were leaving and who was watching your residents while you were to be gone ? I can't just leave no matter how many nurses or aides are on the floor without getting someone to cover me and my pts while gone. I'm not sure about aides but as nurse that is a big NO NO. Hopefully others will come along and give more information on this topic

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

There is probably a policy for how many hours you have to give the facility to call in sick. You can't just leave.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had two other aids for the two halls. I told them id go to lunch. That was it. And thanks so much

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I had two other aids for the two halls. I told them id go to lunch. That was it. And thanks so much

Did a supervisor know you were going?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This sounds pretty odd. I'm guessing maybe there is more to the story that we aren't hearing. People don't get threatened with abandonment for going to lunch unless there's something else going on.

OP, I hope this is going to turn out okay for you. Best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yea i told my charge nurse i was going to lunch then clocked put and didnt come back

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

The didn't come back part is the problem!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Any witnesses to you telling the charge nurse you were leaving? And did you tell her you were not returning? Did you call the facility and report that you were not returning?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.
Yea i told my charge nurse i was going to lunch then clocked put and didnt come back

Ok, it's the "and didn't come back" part that's landed you in hot water.

Did you really think that there wouldn't be any repercussions? You did tell the charge nurse you were going to lunch, but then you simply walked off the job.

Will you go to jail and/or be fined? Probably not. But I can pretty much guarantee you will be on the "Do not rehire" list, and I wouldn't ask anyone there for a reference.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You did abandon your job and your patients. Almost no facility permits staff to leave during shift for a multitude of reasons. You can have your certification revoked

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yea i told my charge nurse i was going to lunch then clocked put and didnt come back

Well this explains a lot more. Why did you decide not to go back? Yes, that's abandonment. And yes, they could take your certification for that (and probably should).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion