[NRSKarenRN]

American Journal of Nursing - March, 2003 - Volume 103, Issue 3

The CWPA and Magnet facilities work to improve nurse–physician relationships.
http://nursingworld.org/AJN/2003/march/issues.htm
================

Verbal Abuse in the Workplace:
How to protect yourself and help solve the problem.
http://nursingworld.org/ajn/2003/march/health.htm

[renerian]

Good articles Karen. I have to laugh. I used to give up my chair and stand when a doc came. Our unit director informed us that is what we were to do.

renerian

[NRSKarenRN]

Giving up the chair to docs stopped just about when I entered as LPN in 1977---progressive RN's RAN that hospital and kept it afloat while the docs abandoned it to greener pastures. That same hospital is alive and thriving today!

[cindylouwho]

any advice on what to do when you're verbally abused by your own supervisor...she's been reported several times but no one seems to do anything about it......I'm considering asking my doctor for some anti-anxiety meds and a FMLA next time I go......help

[fergus51]

Bring up the subject of the employers responsibility for providing a harrassment free workplace.... Something like "You know, I was speaking to a friend of mine who is an attorney and she said that harrassment in the form of verbal abuse....."

[nurse2002]

Originally posted by cindylouwho
any advice on what to do when you're verbally abused by your own supervisor...she's been reported several times but no one seems to do anything about it......I'm considering asking my doctor for some anti-anxiety meds and a FMLA next time I go......help

She really needs to chill out. She is creating what is called a "hostile work enviroment". She can actually be sued.

Ditto for MDs.

[WashYaHands]

I like Fergus's idea. A statement like that would shift the responsibility back to the supervisor.

Linda

[Patricia116]

Cindylouwho , you do not have to listen to it. Tell your supervisor that you will not tolerate the verbal abuse. Document each and every incident carefully. If the behavior does not stop, draft a memo to her supervisor. If the behavior continues, you must exhaust all administrative remedies, i.e. take it to the top of HR and to the top nurse executive. If you have exhausted all administrative remedies, it is time to see a lawyer. Cindy2002 is right, your supervisor can be sued as well as your employer for allowing the abuse to continue unabated.
I found a really good book I would like to recommend to you, it is called Mobbing, Emotional Abuse in the American Workplace, written by Noa Davenport, Ph.D, et al. I think you will find it helpful in your situation. Good luck.