i work on the med/surg unit and sometimes get floated to other units.  today was one of those days.  the staffing said to go to another unit.  i get to the other unit, and the staffing reads beside my name 15-19.  at 1840, i ask the head nursing supervisor if they wanted me to finish passing meds and doing treatments for the night, or just leave at 1900.  the nursing supervisor tells me to just leave.  the charge nurse is sitting beside me and hears the whole conversation.  so at 1850 i begin giving report on my patients to the charge, then we count out narcotics.  i went back to the med/surg unit where my locker is and put my things away for the day and clocked out a little after 1900.  at 1940, i get a phone call from the next supervisor on duty, stating that i was supposed to be working another unit now, and why did i go home?  i told the supervisor that the previous supervisor told me to leave, so i picked up my child and was now at home.  the supervisor tells me that the previous supervisor was still in the building and that i was told to go to the other unit to work.  at no time did the previous supervisor tell me to go to another unit.  i asked in ample amount of time what my assignment was supposed to be for the night.  i was told not to finish my med pass or treatments and was told to leave at 1900.  i left and went home.  i think they made a staffing mistake and are trying to lie to get out of it..  don't know what to do.  afraid they will charge me with abandonment, even though the nursing supervisor in charge told me to leave at 1900.

no, the previous supervisor did not back me up, but the charge nurse sitting beside me did.  that's the only thing that saved me.  i counted out the narcs with her and gave her report.  there was nothing they could do to me.  i don't work in that unit anymore.  the whole place is screwed up.  the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.  the supervisors even call my cell while i'm working to come into work and i'm already there!!!

" I've had the similar experience( s ),many moons ago,especially when dealing with 12 hour-supervisors were concerned and

   you'd recieve," conflicting responses",ie.changing assignments,low-census staff accountability,etc.

   The best rule of thumb is to," relay both messages to both supervisors,prior to leaving,changing assignments and so on....

 ** Having served," professional consultant to jury panel",( Malpractice issue):"stranger things have been known to occur,especially...

    *changing of the guards*Impression? Protect yourself, as well as your license."

You can just never be too careful when it comes to making sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed.