Abusive male nurses

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · May 31, 2008

Are the issues you're experiencing gender-specific?

Are you asking about men being abusive to women or managers being abusive to subordinates? I've never considered the possibility that the two could be connected, but of course, that's possible.

Do you have an issue that you'd like to share with the membership?

irishbelle · May 31, 2008

Male charge nurse yelling at female staff nurse. singling female out not reprimanding male for same infractions. Glaring at female nurse and flexing fists when he doesn't like something she said. Male management person raising fist as if to strike a female nurse when in argument. I am wondering if this is isolated or a future trend as more men come into nursing and take more management positions. I have been a nurse for 27 years and worked in states other then West Virginia, and for the life of me, I have never witnessed what is going on in my unit now!!!! Anyone on else seeing behaviors like this?

barefootlady, ADN, RN · May 31, 2008

Document, document, document. Get witness. Then speak to charge person about hostile work environment. It may be thrown off as a "personality" clash, but if it continues seek professional help. Lawyer.

Had one male nurse who threatened me about 15 years ago, no big deal, he had a few problems, later he realized he did not want to mess with me or other females on unit in negative manner. He left for another job, was later shot to death.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · May 31, 2008

I've never seen it in 25 years, either.

I don't think it's a generalized gender thing, I think it's this particular male charge nurse. If it's more than one guy, then maybe they're feeding off each other.

I'd start documenting my head off, bringing it to the attention of higher management, and/or making tracks. And if it ever got physical in the least, press charges.

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · May 31, 2008

Ditto all of the above. It sounds, if not toxic, certainly volatile and possibly criminal. Especially someone raising a fist to another... that's assault. I would imagine, however, that the trait you're describing would be evident no matter what position he's in.

I agree that the first thing to do (after ensuring your safety) would be to document his sorry *** out the door.

MachewRN · May 31, 2008

Sounds like this guy has some anger management issues, and is not able to handle the stress of his position. He probably doesn't act the same towards the guys because he's afraid of them. But please don't make this a male/female issue. The guy sounds like a jerk. I've met many women who are jerks as well. Do what it takes to protect yourself as others have recommended, and I'm sure he won't be a problem for too much longer.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · May 31, 2008

Sounds like this guy has some anger management issues, and is not able to handle the stress of his position. He probably doesn't act the same towards the guys because he's afraid of them. But please don't make this a male/female issue. The guy sounds like a jerk. I've met many women who are jerks as well. Do what it takes to protect yourself as others have recommended, and I'm sure he won't be a problem for too much longer.

Exactly.

Most of the guys I've worked with over the years have been excellent co-workers as well as excellent nurses. Some of the larger, more physically intimidating ones, are actually "teddy bears" with their female co-workers, sometimes to their own detriment (I've seen a couple let themselves get taken advantage of, in the heavy lifting department). I've honestly never worked with a single one that I can think of who would have used his size or strength to try to intimidate a female.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Jun 1, 2008

I think you need to speak to management about this immediately. Certainly do document any future incidents, but your manager needs to be alerted to be watching, as well. As Don observed, even the threat of violence constitutes assault, and I think anyone who would behave in such a manner would have to be considered dangerous. If you have a witness or two to verify the facts you've posted, great. You have recourse to file criminal charges, regardless of your management's position on the matter. But I would expect your facility to be pretty prompt and thorough in investigating your allegations, even if you don't have compelling proof. The potential liability to them is too great. And the behavior you describe is almost certainly reportable to the Board of Nurses, as well.

And no, I don't believe this behavior is even remotely typical of male nurses. The male nurses I know are civilized, intelligent, and at least partly sane.