Sex in the workplace.....what do YOU think should be done?

interceptinglight, CNA · May 7, 2012

I'm not much of a Morality Nazi, so if it had been me on the other side of that locked door, I would have knocked loudly and addressed the hospitalist to tell him he was needed and that I would come back shortly...then I would have walked away to give him a chance to finish whatever he was doing that I didn't even want to know about. Unless there was a crime being committed, I would have allowed him the privacy to at least put his drawers back on. Personally, I would be completely MORTIFIED to walk in on some hospital hanky-panky, especially if it involved a scandalous affair.

Incidentally, some people like to try and get it on in a semi-public place where there's the danger of being discovered. Yeah, some people like that. Yeah. 'Course I'd never do that.....certainly not. *ahem*

billyboblewis · May 7, 2012

It is amusing that there are so many self righteous people left in the world. Yes rules may have been broken but no harm occurred. I have been woring in hospitals for over 40 years and know this occurs on a regular basis...I may even have been offender on occasion. At one local hospital a nurse and a doctor engaged themselves in the chapel where the tv camera was on for the oncoming service. They were observed by all who had the TV's on to that channel in the middle of the nite..embarrassing..for sure..This type of behavior occurs all over in any place you can think of and will continue until something can be done about human genes.

Recently, at our small community hospital, the only hospitalist on the 7p-7a shift wasn't answering his pager when a CCU nurse was looking for him about a patient. After several attempts to reach him, she went looking for him, thinking he might be sleeping(that's allowed) Upon hearing voices behind the sleep room door, she summoned the Nsg supervisor, who found the door to be locked. She in turn got a maintenance man to unlock the door. Behind the door, she found quite a sight. The hospitalist and an off duty nurse. She was naked, he scrambling for his clothes. Both are married--not to each other.
She was given a mere 2 days suspension. He works for a physicians group that staffs hospitals, and we have not seen him since.
She has worked for the hospital for many years. What do YOU think should happen to her?

superiornursing · May 7, 2012

Since this act hindered,prevented and/or delayed care to a client, a penalty should be imposed.Both parties should receive counselling since the act was irresponsible.The nurse was right to get supervisor involved for corroboration and authority.If a health professional cannot delay their needs until an appropiate opportunity away from the work environment then there is definitely a problem.

The problem will definitely need to be addressed.

Superiornursing.

Britrn04, BSN, MSN, RN · May 7, 2012

it would depend on the hospital policy.
and how the manager will deem to interpret it and enforce it.
in most facilities , the nurse would be out the door. and the bon would impose fines and possible suspension for lack of good moral character.
i am surprised at previous posts that make light of this.the nurse clearly has moral issues and lack of judgement.

just the nurse has moral issues? not the physician? both were married!

nurs4kids · May 7, 2012

The entire staff of the hospital should obviously have mandatory education provided on how to knock on a door. Of course someone will have to develop a policy on how loud the knock should be and the duration and frequency of the knocking. This will probably require an extensive search of literature to provide evidence for best practice. Additionally, a study should be drafted as to determine which nursing theory is the most effective model to follow. A suitable consequence should be determined for failure to knock on a closed door, with progressive action for repeated failure to knock. The terms "Knock" and "Closed door" should be clearly defined to enable everyone to follow policy appropriately and avoid misinterpretation of the Knocking On A Closed Door policy. Policy should include proper documentation of knocking or the reason that the knock was not performed. Understanding of the policy will be verified through testing and return demonstration. Repeat testing will be allowed for the first failed attempt, and a transcript placed in each staff member's file. Understanding should be validated on a yearly basis.

LOVE IT! Umm, can I get this doc's number? We all know that we don't become alarmed until it's been 45 minutes or so with multiple pages and still no call back. I've been searching for this type man for years. :/

Zombi RN · May 7, 2012

I agree that because the nurse was off duty, she should not be fired unless there is a specific policy she is in violation of. And yes, you can't fire people for not having common sense, so such policy DOES need to be written down! At least at my facility things are loosely written such that anyone can be fired for practically anything ("that gives them reason to suspect your moral character" or something similar) but I am employed with an at-will employer.

The physician should be fired for dereliction of duty or some similar type of statement -- since he WAS on call and working. Same policy would cover him no doubt but so would others due to his use of company time, etc etc.

brillohead, ADN, RN · May 7, 2012

Makes me wonder if we should merge this thread with the one about walking in on a patient choking his chicken....

interceptinglight, CNA · May 7, 2012

Makes me wonder if we should merge this thread with the one about walking in on a patient choking his chicken....

You mean slapping the monkey?

brillohead, ADN, RN · May 7, 2012

You mean slapping the monkey?

This could go on for days.... soooo many euphemisms, so little time!

morte, LPN, LVN · May 7, 2012

I'm thinking the ccu nurse had a dog in this race.....entering a doctor's oncall room, without knocking is wrong. who is to say that he didn't have his wife in there? I think the ccu nurse was a "scorned woman" and was looking for payback.

goldenretriever8 · May 7, 2012

this sounds like something that would happen on grey's anatomy lol

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 7, 2012

BOTH have moral issues and lack of judgment. But that is not against the law and you cannot reprimand unless it is against policy. The BON might be interested, but I would recommend contacting AMA as well.

If every resident and nurse was fired and banned from the medical profession there'd be no nurses or physicians. Heck, If I was the supervisor I'd be glad that at least the nurse was of duty! :smokin:

Dare I go into the happenings of residents and nurses at academic facilities??? Form practical jokes to hidden rendezvous.... :bugeyes: . They have to release stress somehow when they never leave the facility.

Every bit on TV is true.