Vent: Embarrassed during change of shift.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg.

During change of shift, Per our policy myself and the oncoming day shift nurse were checking duragesic patch placement on our residents. we entered resident A's room and she proceeded to look for resident a's patch. I had just seen it earlier on in the shift when i counted off with the 3-11 shift nurse. I reached down to help her look for the patch, and her face got red and she grabbed my arm really hard, dug her nails in and pushed my arm away from the resident, and stated "why do you always have to be so uptight?!?!" I almost started to cry, and was really embarrassed by the whole incident. Do you think that I'm reading too much into this?

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You mean the other nurse dug her nails into your arm?

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

Did you ask her why? And it was totally inappropriate that she dug her nails into your arm. Next time tell her not to touch you unless she wants to be charged with sexual harassment, assault, or something else along those lines.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I sure hope that you are exaggerating. This just does not sound feasible. I'm not saying that this didn't happen to you. It just doesn't make sense. I would discuss this with the appropriate authority at work.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

You count patches that are on residents? I've never heard of such a thing. Is that part of the narcotic count?

As to your colleague, she sounds like she's on the edge. I wonder what's going on with her. Her behavior sounds suspicious.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
I sure hope that you are exaggerating. This just does not sound feasible. I'm not saying that this didn't happen to you. It just doesn't make sense. I would discuss this with the appropriate authority at work.

It was the other nurse who dug her nails into my arm, and I wish I were exaggerating. the duragesic patch placement is part of the narcotic count and required by our facility. according to administration it is now a law in Tennessee where I work for 2 nurses to verify placement of and removal of duragesic patches

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I am totally upset for you. If you cant confront her face to face about this unprofessional and potentially criminal behavior... show her this note. I can only imagine how she treats her clients if she has no trouble treating you that way.....

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I am so sorry that you feel embarrassed by this when in fact the other nurse should feel mortified. Quite horrifying and inappropriate doesn't even begin to cover it. My knee jerk reaction is that this woman needs reported. I don't say that lightly because I know how this sort of thing can go. What would happen to a poor resident if they annoyed her?

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When i was in ohio we had to count them too. But only the ones left in the drawer.

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YOU have nothing to be embarrassed about. You should be mad! Obviously she is a loose cannon. I agree that if she will do this to a coworker there is no telling what she would do to a resident. You must report this to someone "higher up". Otherwise you are responsible because you know what she is capable of. I hate you have been put in this situation. Don't be embarrassed, this is not your fault!!! Hope it works out ok for you.

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Oh and if she broke the skin you may want to get a shot. She sounds rabid..... Just kidding. Lol.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

How is her usual behavior?

If she is usually a nice person and was just "not herself" that day ... I would be concerned about her. Rather than escalate the situation by being quick to "report" her or something like that, I would approach her and ask her if everything is OK. I would say something like, "I am sorry you felt I was being intrusive, but I was just trying to help you find the patch. And you really hurt me when you grabbed me so forcefully and embarassed me in front of the patient. Please don't do that again. Take me aside and talk with me away from the patient if you have a problem or concern about something I have done."

Making a big stink about everything only adds to a negative workplace culture. Don't ignore it ... but give her a chance to apologize and/or explain before you bring out the big guns. Approach her in a professional way and try to resolve it between the 2 of you. She may feel bad about the situation and may have something horrible going on in her life right now -- and may apologize if you give her the chance. Your kindness now could lead her to the help and support she needs. Getting her in trouble with the boss might cause an even greater disaster in her life.

However ... if this colleague has a pattern of bad behavior and/or you have already tried to address the issue and it has not worked ... then, by all means take it up the chain of command. Her behavior was unacceptable and you should not tolerate it.

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