Unsafe Staffing

Published

Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

:angthts: Ok, so last night I go to work and find out after report I am charge nurse, on the hardest wing. Thing is there are 6 wings, each wing of the LTC facility has 33 to 46 pts. I had 2 wings by myself!!!! I thought the other nurse was staying for the whole shift but she said she did not feel like it and left after 2 hours. So I called everyone on the phone list and no one came in. When first shift came in, they said the day before management knew this was going to happen and we were staffed short again. ( this comes from 3 day shift RNs one who is day supervisor ) Ok, so I know I have to get out of there and get another job. Here is my question, I am just scheduled to work this Saturday and Sunday but I don't want to work in an environment I feel is unsafe. Can I be charged with patient abandonment if I refuse to accept the assignment this weekend if it is unreasonable and I leave?( leave before clocking in )I should mention I am a new grad RN and have only been there for 1 month working per diem which is this was my 7th shift there. Should I report the facility?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Wasn't the other nurse that left charged with patient abandonment? I mean she had already started working and then left before the shift had ended.

I also think that it is unwise to put a new grad as charge nurse of anything if they have only been working for a month let alone 7 shifts. Get on the phone with the nurse manager, DON, whomever is the powers that be there and voice your concerns.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

I did write her up and left a voice mail for the DON and ADON. I just don't know what to do as far as working this weekend. I ended up charge only because I was the only RN in the building.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I can't imagine why anyone would think its okay to leave a new grad like you to take care of so many patients. You need to refuse that assignment. If the other nurse tries to leave, REFUSE IT. Call the DON, tell her whatever you have to tell her to make her understand that this is SERIOUS and you will not stand for it. Call/write the nursing board, call the state health department,, call whoever you have to call, but this is crazy. I would not want my grandma/grandpa stuck in this situation,, with a nurse that does not even have time to check and see if they are breathing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Fall prevention.

I would not accept an unsafe assignment like that again. In fact I would not accept any pt assignment at all until I made sure that there was adequate staffing. I don't believe you can be charged with pt abandonment as long as you do not assume pt care. I say run don't walk away from that place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have also been faced with this dilemma. I am a new LPN graduate and we cannot even go onto the floor (literally). You have to clock in before you can enter the elevator so you won't even know your assignment until after you have clocked in, making it impossible to take the chance of being charged with abandonment. I think this sucks! How do you report a facility for such policies? Is it the health department or the Board of your state? I went in as a nurse, they put me on the floor as an aide and then gave me 26 patients! Aides don't get report but if I leave I have to clock back out and therein lies the dilemma, your held to your highest level of education and thus, abandonment. Any thoughts out there on this? How do you get around this without abandonment issues? :banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

As long as you haven't taken report, you are not taking care of the patients yet. They might see that you've clocked in, but legally you haven't taken report, and they cannot get you for abandonment,,, unless of course they lie and say that you did take report. But I only see that happening in a very rare, extreme case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Quit. Stat.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.
Can I be charged with patient abandonment if I refuse to accept the assignment this weekend if it is unreasonable and I leave?

You have the right to refuse any assignment you feel to be unsafe. When you accept an assignment at the beginning of a shift, and it changes, then it is a new assignment.

They will threaten you with abandonment, but it is a bluff. There is no way on this planet that they would turn you in for refusing two entire wings of patients, because then they would be the ones looking negligent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You have the right to refuse any assignment you feel to be unsafe. When you accept an assignment at the beginning of a shift, and it changes, then it is a new assignment.

They will threaten you with abandonment, but it is a bluff. There is no way on this planet that they would turn you in for refusing two entire wings of patients, because then they would be the ones looking negligent.

Yup. Turn it down and don't let them bully you. Don't put your license on the line for anyone. Not having adequate staffing if their problem not yours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

:bowingpur Thank you all for your responses. I still have not heard from the DON so I e-mailed her and left another voice mail regarding the situation and how I felt about it. Since I have 2 other jobs I am leaving asap from there. I called in for the weekend there and notified I would not be picking up anymore hours there. I also sent a copy of the e-mail I sent to the DON to the corporate office citing the working conditions and patient safety issues. Thank you for all your advise.:heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Good move! Bravo!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion