How to deal with pt's sexual advances?

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

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.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I typically respond, "You're being inappropriate. Don't talk to me in that manner ever again."

[jnrsmommy]

One response that's worked best for me "How would you like it if someone asked your daughtter the same question you just asked me?" Usually that's enough to make them feel contrite. For the persistently stubbon ones, I tell them that their remarks are not wanted nor appreciated, and promptly leave the room, irregardless of what i'm doing. Then I make sure that I always have someone in the room w/ me.

[nightmare, RN]

No one needs to go through this! Report them to your manager and document their behavior. Just because they are a patient does not mean they can't be charged with sexual harassment.If you have a witness so much the better.A cool and aloof manner needs to be used to let them know they've overstepped the mark!

[RNDreamer]

I agree with everyone above. Tell this person what they already know, that it is inappropriate.

Why should you be uncomfortable while a patient has his "fun"? Everytime it has happened to me, I let them know they were harassing me and if it didn't stop, it would be reported.

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

Well, gaining 40 pounds since I got married seems to have helped....

But really, telling them it is harrassment, and just because they are a patient doesn't mean they have a right to talk to you in such a way. If it conts, I have spoken with higher ups, and even the doctor on one occassion

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I let them know off the bat that it is not wanted or appreciated. If they are persistant, and I get a bit funky when no one is around and I chart every encounter.

[RN1980]

next time you are within earshot from this dork ask outloud "has anyone seen my perscription for valtrex or my std work-up report sheet" hopefully that'll nip it in the bud from there on out for him and any prospects.

[psalm, RN]

Tell him you are his nurse and you find his comments inappropriate and will be back when he can control his comments.

Let your charge nurse know what happened and that you plan on the following:

Document in nursing notes and quote him, document in an incident report and also leave a note for his physician.

If you take it verbally it will escalate to action. I'm sorry you had to go thru this. Have the above your standard procedure for ALL pts. who start with the sex talk.

[leslie :-D]

or...

you can be more 'delicate' like me and just tell 'em, "knock your crap off".

whatever.

it works.

leslie:nurse:

[nelcoy4]

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.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

So far I've only threatened to call security on one patient, after I said that the charge nurse came in his room with me each time. He was truly creepy. He got on the phone and was telling someone that basically, his nurse wouldn't be able to resist his charms. I'm thinking, so body odor, no shave and the alcohol smell is charming heh. It was no-nonsense with that one, you give him a smile and he'd be right back with the yucky talk.

Fun part was the next night when his teenage daughter brought her friend up to visit and well... I just got the idea that family tree didn't fork. Ugh.

I've seen a couple of guys who just couldn't stop laying the niceness on... lots of compliments and "oh come on" etc, even after I've said what there is to say... which is "no, it's not going to happen so let's move on." I finally just looked at this one guy and smiled, and said "thank you" and nothing else. To my utter shock he dropped the propositions. Turns out, sometimes, if you blabber too much they think you're interested and just making excuses. Hm. Who knew?