Has anyone had to cancel a contract due to unsafe staffing?
If so, what steps did you take?
That is a very good question. I have wondered that myself. I think you would still have to notify your company first of the problem, then would have the right to cancel you contract. My last one out was a nightmare for the same reason. I will not go through that again!
You must CAREFULLY document any and everything you perceive as unsafe and/or unprofessional. Report these incidents to your company on a daily basis. I emailed all of mine to my recruiter so I had proof of my attempts to correct things. They might try to talk you into staying, but if things don't work out, you should not be legally bound if you have good documentation and names and phone numbers of witnesses. Good luck! I was one of the lucky ones who was not forced to hire an attorney.
I just broke a contract a couple weeks ago here in Baltimore, MD. I was working at this long-term acute care hospital on a m/s vent unit. They told me rn to pt ratio was 1:6, no, it was like 1:8 or even 9 when nurses called out which was often. staff there was horrible...overall very unsafe. Long story short, I was overwhlemed after 2 weeks. I told my recruiter about my concerns and she referred me to the nurse clinical specialist for the company. I had to talk to the specialist to get my thoughts and facts straight. Then I called my nurse manager on the unit and told her that it wasn't working out for me and apologized. I gave my notice and that was it. Also, my recruiter was really helpful and supportive so that ment alot to me. She's in the process of helping me find a new assignment and to move forward. It's been a stressful time for me. You just need to remember to look out for your own best interest when it means putting your license on the line.
Isn't leaving an assignment due to unsafe staffing still putting the patients at risk? Just wondering.....
I guess I would see it as staying on a sinking ship... and in the end, if things are so unsafe as to put your license at risk, it's time to get out. After all, you can't help ANY patients if you lose your license......Originally Posted by cougarnurse
Amanda, RN, BSN
Ex-Traveler Extraordinaire,
Resident Trauma Queen
I currently am employed as internal contract staff in a 37 bed ER/Trauma unit that is becoming worse by the day for patient safety. In Alabama there are no nurse : patient ratio laws, so I have pretty much been forced to take 6-7 ER patients, chest pains in the hallways on no monitor, etc.
I leave for my travel assign. in 3 weeks.
WOOT
I cancelled my contract on my 1st shift off orientation because the charge nurse told me I was going to have a very bad 1st night and I was being assigned
11( eleven) patients on a med/surg/tele floor.... NO THANKS. So I left the floor and
called the nurse supervisor who tried to intimidate me. but the fact is this>>
The staffing must be safe and reasonable at the START of your assignment or you don't have to accept... I was really concerned about my license and the type of care I could give 11 patients..
Company initially backed me then a few days later said there was more I could do
and they felt I should have hung around until the hospital could find more nurses.
NO THANKS.. So, anyone out there that feels that they need to work like that--you don't and don't be afraid to leave and UNSAFE ASSIGNMENT
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