Abandonment

[erRNinNC]

I have worked at a long term acute care hospital and felt time and time again that I had to lower my standards of practice and that I was not giving the best care that I could to my patients 2/2 the acuity of these patients/ ridiculous med passes/ and extraordinary amount of paperwork.
I came onto my shift and heard report on one patient and it happened to be the last straw and I was completely uncomfortable taking 4 critical patients all of whom appeared to be tanking. I stopped the nurse after she talked about the first patient, told her that I was not going to be able to take her assignment, immediately went to the CN and told her that this was it and that I unfortunately could not work for the company anymore. She directed me to the CNO who after a long conversation and threat of filing with BON for abandonment stated "well I guess I'll just have to take your patients."

It was a bad way to end a short stint of working there but I truly felt like it was an unsafe situation. Seeing as how I did NOT sign the chart accepting care of the one patient I got report on and how I went to my CN and CNO re: not accepting assignment... Legally have I abandoned my patients in the state of NC? I burnt a bridge but I believe that I adequately notified my immediate supervisor.

I hate the situation.

[NURSEDETROIT]

Please tell me that you charted in the patients records/charts who exactly (first/last name) you had reported off to. . .the CN in your case? Or, did you record the conversation? An iPhone can make any instance an instant PR event; consider that. Otherwise, as you had noted and it would appear by the lack of support you received from "the powers that be" that they would indeed consider acting in a vindictive manner and report you to the BON. . .

Seek legal advice/counsel immediately! Do not wait! Before they have the opportunity to act; pre-emptive strike. Provide the attorney all the documentation/facts you have to support your position; he can get information that you can't or they refuse to provide you. Having been placed in such a position in the past myself; trust me, documentation is key. . . Find out what the laws are specifically as related to this in your state. Every state has it's own practice act/rules/statutes.

[NURSEDETROIT]

Go online and do some research yourself; find/print out the Nurse Practice Act for your state. Then, for God sake, please record any further conversations with ANY individuals regarding anything about this matter further. . .

I recorded a number of conversations (insurance) in one instance/situation. I first had a former manager go off on me like the 4th of July. All conversations pertaining to that matter were also recorded. Keep you own record of any emails. I was repeatedly lied to and deceived by all. The manager went well beyond what one would consider acceptable administrative behavior; I still have every recording. This way there is no mistaking of who or what was said. . . . An unfortunate/sad reality, that you can no longer seem to trust anyone; both in management and especially HR. Understand, they are NOT there for your concern or benefit; nor that of the patient. Primarily concerns lie with maintaining the bottom line, their bottoms, and bonuses. . .It's a business decision for them; sad, but in my experience, a true one. This is not something that you will ever be taught anywhere; not until you have lived it.

[TriciaB]

You did not have to "report off" to anyone because you didn't accept the assignment in the first place. Anytime anyone threatens you with the Board of Nursing, make sure you get there first. It also might not hurt to notify the agency that accredits that nursing home. Good luck.