What is Abandonment?

Nurses Professionalism Nursing Q/A

Is being a No Show / No Call abandonment? If a nurse simply fails to show up to work for a period of time?

Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

"What about" the next shift didn't show up the nurse put her keys on the DON Desk and left.

Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

My question is I have a 6 to 2 LPN that the replacement for her did not show up. The DON was already covering a shift in the Locked memory care unit for another call in. she left the keys on the desk and left with no one on that cart.

Sounds like you have big problems at that place, @deleern.

You can google "[Name of your State] patient abandonment" or similar in order to get your answer. I think it has been discussed on this thread, as well. Generally you can't walk away from patients in your care.

Specializes in Dialysis.
4 hours ago, deleern said:

My question is I have a 6 to 2 LPN that the replacement for her did not show up. The DON was already covering a shift in the Locked memory care unit for another call in. she left the keys on the desk and left with no one on that cart.

that is generally the perfect definition of abandonment...hopefully the DON pursues that, because nurses like that give the rest of us a bad name

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 7/10/2019 at 10:11 AM, deleern said:

"What about" the next shift didn't show up the nurse put her keys on the DON Desk and left.

Was the DON there to accept them? Then it might not be abandonment, since someone was able to take legal responsibility for the patients. If the keys were placed on an unoccupied desk and the DON not notified, THAT IS abandonment.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

I am in a situation where it was an extremely hostile work environment. I didn’t go in on the advise of my representative. I did not clock in. I did not take report or keys. Boss is now threatening to report to BON and charge me with abandonment. I don’t know what to do and have never been disciplined for anything by the BON. Can they take my license?

Specializes in retired LTC.

Coral - you most likely just kissed your job good-bye. But what your DON is threatening is a very common ploy used to guilt you into working.

Now there may be more to your plight, esp sine you mention a 'representative'. I'm guessing a union rep??? Must be something serious for union involvement.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Yes it is unfortunately.

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