How to deal with pt's sexual advances?

[chenoaspirit]

I run into this occassionally and I just dont know how to handle it. The other day one man kept asking me if I 'would run around", etc. Another occassion, one asked me "I bet you like sex, you are a very pretty girl and I bet you are good at it", etc. I dont like that and have no idea what to say. Ive had men ask me to get into their bed with them. Now, I KNOW I am not doing anything to provoke such behavior. I am friendly, provide professional care for all my patients, male or female. Some may be mentally non-oriented, but some are completely of sound mind and are perverts. How do you guys handle such advances? It makes me VERY uncomfortable and it feels like an insult to me. I, in no way, take it as a compliment.

[Perpetual Student]

I've never had that problem, thankfully. If I ever do, I'll make it clear in a brisk manner that I will not tolerate such treatment, unless she's good looking. Actually, I'd probably laugh really hard regardless.

[nyapa, RN]

If it conts, I have spoken with higher ups, and even the doctor on one occassion

I agree. The thing is, if a patient is treating you like that, then others are also victims of harrassment. Document as well. I like the idea of telling the doctor...

[squeakykitty]

I usually say this is inappropriate, if it continues I tell the charge nurse and manager. I also document in the chart and on silent report to let the next nurse know ( we do written report).

Once I had a patient that kept calling to put his condom cath back on because it kept falling off. The right size was on and nobody reported that this was a issue. It dawn on me after the 3rd time in like 45 mins that he might be enjoying this. (plus he had this stupid smile on his face while I was placing it on) He refused the urinal and diaper. So I asked.....well begged a male RN to put the next one on. I told the patient that since I'm having such a hard time with it, so-so will place it on for the rest of my shift. After the male nurse put it on, the patient never called again about his condom cath falling off. Another patient wanted me to wash his privates. His hands worked fine, 5/5 in his upper extremities, and no fine moter issues. He said he wanted me to do it because he knows I could give it a good scrubbing with a wink. I said no. Well when his wife came in I told her (in front of the patient) what happened (minus the wink) and asked could she give him a good scrubbing. The look on their faces was priceless.

:yeah:

I love how you handled this. I'll bet that guy never did anything like that again after he had to explain himself to his wife.

[squeakykitty]

There is a lot of good advice here. It all boils down to setting limits and being assertive. No one should have to tolerate things like this.

[flygirl43]

Report them to mgmt...if it continues w/o mgmt intervention....human rights comission and union....go snakey!!!!!

[nyapa, RN]

I've never had that problem, thankfully. If I ever do, I'll make it clear in a brisk manner that I will not tolerate such treatment, unless she's good looking. Actually, I'd probably laugh really hard regardless.

I guess that is probably one of the advantages of being a male nurse. I realise there are many other things that aren't so pleasant for men that us 'fairer' sex escape!

[Scrubby]

I agree you need to say something straight away if he does it again. If it was me i'd blatantly tell the patient that this sort of behaviour is sexual harassment and i'd be writing incident reports. The reason why patients do this sort of thing to nurses is because a lot of nurses just put up with it and say or do nothing about it.

[showbizrn]

excuse me, sir.

take care of your sexual needs

outside.

i will report your

sexual harrassment

inside.

report it

document it

end it!!!

[Grace Oz]

In a firm LOUD and VERY professional sounding voice:

"Anything you say which is threatening, intimidating, abusive, sexually harrassing or provocative, CAN and WILL be used against you in a court of law. You might wish to reconsider just what you say and how you speak with myself and other staff members in this facility!"

Then .... turn swiftly and leave the room. Report it, document it.

Being a patient is NO license to behave inappropriately in any way shape or form.

[Agnus]

I told her (in front of the patient) what happened (minus the wink) and asked could she give him a good scrubbing. The look on their faces was priceless.

This makes me smile. Smart girl.

[Agnus]

I agree you need to say something straight away if he does it again. If it was me i'd blatantly tell the patient that this sort of behaviour is sexual harassment and i'd be writing incident reports. The reason why patients do this sort of thing to nurses is because a lot of nurses just put up with it and say or do nothing about it.

I will document this in your chart.

This is about patient behavior and you can and should chart it. Putting the pt on notice that this is happening will likely stop it.

[shelly304]

I have a few male clinic patients that often cross the line. Even after letting them know they were crossing the line with their comments it did not cease. I spoke w/ admin. and documented everything, and when it happened again I had a witness.The MD in charge actually wrote the pt. a letter and "discharged" the pt. from our clinic. I often leave the door cracked w/ a pt. who has made me feel uncomfortable in the past. I even had one man get up and close the door, while making a very sexually explicit comment. I excused myself, and asked another LPN to take this pt. "Tony" is quite tall,

very well built and can be very intimidating-I am sure the pt. was surprised to have "Mr. LPN" come to replace me! People never cease to amaze me.