Can a Patient Threaten a Nurse?

[TheAverageMan]

So I was browsing google, looking up the nursing compact states, and if other states would join, and I ran across a site, which had similar stuff to my search terms.

It was about people who got their licenses revoked or put on probation. I read the comments, and it scared me. Here's a few that stood out.

After being accused of something I did not do by a patient ( who was just darn mean and stated I will get you fired), a complaint was filed. I spoke with the investigator, sent in my statement by mail to the BON. When I went to the hearing, the decision was already made...they claim they did not get my letter in the mail and automatically I was found guilty. That crushed me and I walked away crying never to work again. Recently, after explaining to the instructor about my lapsed license .I enrolled in a nurse refresher course, spoke with BON rep, sent a copy of my license to the instructor...enjoyed the class, only to be told just prior to clinical's I couldn't go. I would like to clean up my name and continue in nursing. My license was limited along with a fine. I will contact an attorney and maybe get back into nursing...that incident hurts today years later, as if it was yesterday.

That patient tried to get other nurses fired in the LTC telling them that they would be fired "like that nurse".

Same person also said this, which blew my mind.

I was always a good worker...then a complaint was filed by a patient , in a LTC, who was so mean to me and others....and she used that experience to threaten other nurses to do what she said or they would not work again...She made my life go upside down...it still hurts after this amount of time...

I'm a new grad, about to take the NCLEX in November. Do we as nurses have anything to protect us from this at all? Because I can easily imagine a patient doing that to a nurse and getting away with it.

[caliotter3]

Yes, they can do things and get away with it, but that knowledge does not stop most nurses from performing their jobs on a daily basis. Some people have horrendous things done to them and they return to nursing, others can not make that comeback, we don't judge them. It is just like any other bad thing in life, you do the best you can; hopefully, the good will outweigh the bad.

[Karou]

Document anything unusual and bring witnesses if necessary when interacting with a patient/resident. In LTC if the resident is known to file multiple complaints about staff, then staff usually know and can be on guard.

Any patient can make a false complaint at any time. All we can do is make sure we are doing everything we should and document appropriately.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Always have your own malpractice insurance. Make sure you document to the letter. Should anyone threaten you and your license or "getting you fired", go up your chain of command immediately. Use your resources, and if behavior is an issue with any patient, that needs to be addressed ie: a psych consult, case management, risk management. Be proactive.

And remember, there are 2 sides to every story (and sometimes more than that). Sometimes details and the reality of any situation is a bit different than what an internet post may convey.

People who post on some sites (including right here on AN) post in their truth, sometimes in a venting format. Few give 100% details, as it is not appropriate to do so.

I am not suggesting that the nurse that you quoted, OP, did not have this horrible stuff happen. What I am suggesting is to look at things you read online as the version of the poster's truth, edited for cyber space.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Can't echo the sentiments of "document the heXX out of it" enough! One whiff of "I'm gonna get you fired if you don't...." is enough for me to whip my pen out and write it all down, IN THE CHART, in the nursing notes. Fair game is everything that patient says to you, or to another person which is then relayed to you (with that person's name and job title documented). Protect yourself, so that if that darling patient tries something slimy, there's a long list of 'intent' showing the patient's real purpose in making the claim.

[scottaprn]

Any one can report anything to the board of nursing. That said if you can prove what they said isn't true and you received harm you have a case to take them to court for libel.

If someone is lying about you and they know they are lying a strongly worded letter from an attorney or the filing of a lawsuit will usually chase them off. Documentation and witnesses are your friends.

[Mulan]

If you have to mail something to the BON or any other bureaucratic agency always send it certified mail return receipt requested then they can't claim they never got it.

[ceccia]

How could they find someone guilty of something without any proof? If the BON gets a complaint and it's the patient's word against the nurse's word, isn't it illegal (and/or unconstitutional) to convict someone without proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt?

or is the BON allowed to get away with abuses and wrongful convictions without proof because they are not considered a state /federal court? Could you get a lawyer and bring the BON to a legit court before an actual judge, if they disciplined you and interfered with your ability to earn a living based on nothing but hearsay from a patient?

[cowboy up]

You kind of get a sense for the patients that have the potential for causing that kind of trouble. If you come across one make sure there is always someone with you when you interact with them and document every negative threateningthing they says to you. Make sure your unit supervisor is aware of this patient.Your best defense is documenting and having a witness who can reinforce your side of the story. It's a shame you have to go through this. There always seems to be that one patient who loves to cause problems. Keep your head up

[cowboy up]

You nailed it.

[firstinfamily, RN]

When any patient first indicates there is a problem with staff it is time to bring in the social worker or case manager. Never approach that patient without a witness present. Document, document what the negative replies are and what you have done about them (consulted the case manager) etc. Anytime a patient has a complaint in LTC it is usually investigated first by the management of the LTC facility, then if suspected that an incident happened the BON is notified. It sounds like a step was skipped and the facility where this occured most likely could be held liable for not letting the nurse involved know about the accusations. You should have your own malpractice insurance and if you did when this happened they should be able to advise you.

[nurse4ever08]

Carry malpractice and if a complaint comes up get a lawyer. When mailing statements to bon, certified mail is best. That way you have proof they got it.