Abandonment is not something to take lightly, so we've outlined the scenarios below to help assist you. Please feel free to call, chat, or email us with any questions.
For a situation to constitute patient abandonment, two things must have happened:
The you must have accepted the assignment.
You leave your assignment without notice to an appropriate person (supervisor, manager, etc.).
For further details on other behaviors constitute abandonment, please see Understanding Abandonment
Scenarios:
Before accepting an assignment or shift
If you have not accepted the assignment yet, it is not considered abandonment to refuse to accept the assignment. This applies to the beginning of your shift as well as getting reassigned during a shift. If you did not accept the new assignment being presented to you during your shift, it is not considered abandonment to refuse the new assignment.
The facility may still DNR you for refusing, even though it is within your right to refuse. (Just as it's within your rights to refuse, it is also within their rights to decide who they DNR from their facility, they do not need a valid reason).We find that many times the issue is resolved by telling the supervisor what you need them to change so you can work the shift.
Please note, if you have already accepted the assignment, then leaving without permission from the supervisor would be considered abandonment and the facility may report you. This can cause your license to be in jeopardy.
After accepting an assignment
If you have already accepted an assignment, then leaving without permission from the supervisor would be considered abandonment and the facility may report you. This can cause your license to be in jeopardy. The facility may also DNR you from their building.
Our advice is to speak with the supervisor about your need to leave and get a written note allowing you to leave. You can send us that note, along with any additional details.
If your concern is having too many residents to care for, our advice is to speak with the supervisor about having too many residents. You may also ask us to talk to the facility for you.
If they are not helpful or have no other staff to assist, you should try having them sign a note that says you reported that you had too many residents and will care for as many as you can. Then send us a picture of that note so we have it on your record. You should then properly care for as many residents as you can in the best possible way.
End of shift - CNA/Aide
If your assignment is over, the facility cannot mandate you to stay since you are an agency employee. You should endorse your responsibilities over to the next shift or the supervising nurse.
If you chose to take on the additional shift, it must be posted and accepted on the ESHYFT app.
End of shift - LPN/RN
Since there is no one to take over responsibility, then leaving without passing over your responsibilities (along with the cart and keys, if that applies) would be considered abandonment and the facility may report you. This can cause your license to be in jeopardy.
If there is any supervisor who can take over your responsibilities, you should speak with them about passing the responsibility over to them. They cannot mandate you to stay since you are agency and they need to accept the responsibilities from you. If they are not agreeing, then leaving would still fall under abandonment. Please let us know if this happens so we can try intervening.