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| New Hampshire Board of Nursing |
| Client Abandonment |
| Nurses and nursing assistants have a professional responsibility to accept assignments based on their ability to provide safe, professional care of the client. They should accept assignments they have the competency to perform. Refusal to accept an assignment does not constitute client abandonment. The NH Board of Nursing Administrative rules (Nur 215.01 (b) (2) defines misconduct of this nature as follows: "Leaving an assignment without notifying the appropriate authority, whereby such departure endangers the health, safety and welfare of those individuals entrusted to the licensee's care;…"
It is the responsibility of the licensee to accept additional work assignment which maintain safe professional practice. Nurses should not be threatened with patient abandonment and potential loss of license when they are afraid that working additional hours will endanger patient safety. The administration of the facility or agency has an obligation to their clients and staff to provide a safe environment. |
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