Coworker physically abusive to patients

Libby1987 · May 22, 2016

I would live in a cardboard box before I would compromise my integrity. Nothing and no one has the power to compromise my integrity.

If you're not exaggerating here (and I'll be honest, I suspect that you are), do the right thing. Walk straight to a manager and report this with the urgency that it warrants.

macawake, MSN · May 22, 2016

I have been assigned to a new preceptor and honestly I do not like how he treats the patients. He uses foul language in front of them and even physically assaults them (slapping and digging his nails into them) he claims it is self defense.

Slapping and digging your fingernails into someone is not an effective method of self-defense. To me the justification he gives for his actions is just ridiculous. Have you confronted him regarding his behavior? Is that when he claimed self-defense? I have to assume that you're not the first coworker who has witnessed his abusive behavior, and it's really sad and actually quite surprising that it has been allowed to go on. I'm having a hard time understanding why others haven't taken action.

His behavior needs to stop. In my opinion you need to report him. Just make sure that you're making an accurate report of your observations. It's a serious allegation. I realize that it puts you in an awkward situation since you're on probation but I suspect from what you write that knowing what you do and not doing anything about it, is weighing on your conscience. Not only that, but you also have an ethical and I suspect legal (I'm not from the US/Canada, so unsure about your laws) obligation as a nurse to act on this. Do it anonymously if that's possible. Not that I think that you should be afraid to make the report in person though. Think about it. If things are as bad as you've described, would you really want to continue working in a facility where management retaliates against someone who brings patient abuse to their attention?

He has worked at the hospital for almost 4 years and does not appear to be well liked by half of the staff.

Just as a side note, why did you add this information? Whether he is well liked or not really isn't the issue here, is it? The question is if he is abusing patients or not. If he is, he isn't suitable for his job, well liked or not.

Alicia777, MSN, NP · May 22, 2016

Definitely report. This disgusting behavior is unacceptable. Imagine these patients are your family! Do it anonymously, if that feels safer..

crazin01 · May 22, 2016

Just playing devils' advocate, NOT advocating for him or his behavior. but when is this happening? Is he trying to draw AM labs and the confused dementia patient is trying to slap his hand away, or in some way act against what he needs to do? Sorry, the whole mental competency thing & whether or not patients refuse treatment while not understanding the repercussions of those actions comes into play and that is a very grey area that I wish to argue with nobody.

Just my two cents, that although the swearing is a bit much (he may argue that he's never been asked not to swear by a patient, so what's the big deal?) I'm not sure how nail digging & slapping is a method of self-defense with a partially or fully combative patient. Any middle school student even knows that prodding the bull will just make it more aggressive, or so we'd hope.

Sorry i haven't really offered my opinion on it, but I'm just curious the specific circumstances leading to such events. The slapping? Now, that's a bit much & farther than what may POSSIBLY be a somewhat firm grasp to do blood draws or temporarily restrain a patient having a acute issue.

What shift is this on? Any possibility of a family member/visitor/ancillary staff walking in & observing this behavior? Hopefully it's not as bad as it sounds, but I have the feeling my 'everybody deserves benefit of the doubt' attitude is possibly over-reaching here.

Looking forward to more clarification.

Depressed_RN · May 22, 2016

I would live in a cardboard box before I would compromise my integrity. Nothing and no one has the power to compromise my integrity.
If you're not exaggerating here (and I'll be honest, I suspect that you are), do the right thing. Walk straight to a manager and report this with the urgency that it warrants.

I am not exaggerating, because it is something you may not have experienced does not mean it does not happen. It is easy for you to say to report and live in a cardboard box but I also have a child to think about.

Depressed_RN · May 23, 2016

Slapping and digging your fingernails into someone is not an effective method of self-defense. To me the justification he gives for his actions is just ridiculous. Have you confronted him regarding his behavior? Is that when he claimed self-defense? I have to assume that you're not the first coworker who has witnessed his abusive behavior, and it's really sad and actually quite surprising that it has been allowed to go on. I'm having a hard time understanding why others haven't taken action.
His behavior needs to stop. In my opinion you need to report him. Just make sure that you're making an accurate report of your observations. It's a serious allegation. I realize that it puts you in an awkward situation since you're on probation but I suspect from what you write that knowing what you do and not doing anything about it, is weighing on your conscience. Not only that, but you also have an ethical and I suspect legal (I'm not from the US/Canada, so unsure about your laws) obligation as a nurse to act on this. Do it anonymously if that's possible. Not that I think that you should be afraid to make the report in person though. Think about it. If things are as bad as you've described, would you really want to continue working in a facility where management retaliates against someone who brings patient abuse to their attention?
Just as a side note, why did you add this information? Whether he is well liked or not really isn't the issue here, is it? The question is if he is abusing patients or not. If he is, he isn't suitable for his job, well liked or not.

No I did not question him on his behavior, honestly I do not say anything to him. He just came out and said that if he feels threatened he has the right to defend himself. I personally did not see anything wrong with what the patients did. One time I was suctioning a lady that was admitted from a long term care facility and she put her hands up to grab the suction. He slapped her and told her to put it down, I dont see what was threatening in that. Another time another elderly patient was brought in from another long term care facility with SOB and cough, this patient was not all there mentally and he had one sided weakness due to a stroke. When the patient started to cough, he pushed his head and said it pisses him off when patients cough in his direction. The incident with him digging his nails into another elderly patient was when she held on to his stethoscope and he asked her to let go, he then dug his nails into her shoulder and said when you let go, ill let go.

maybe it does not matter but I brought up the amount of years he worked and him not being likeable because I feel ppl must know what is going on. I have been with him only 2 shifts and if he can do that in front of me he had to have done it infront of the other staff.

Depressed_RN · May 23, 2016

Just playing devils' advocate, NOT advocating for him or his behavior. but when is this happening? Is he trying to draw AM labs and the confused dementia patient is trying to slap his hand away, or in some way act against what he needs to do? Sorry, the whole mental competency thing & whether or not patients refuse treatment while not understanding the repercussions of those actions comes into play and that is a very grey area that I wish to argue with nobody.
Just my two cents, that although the swearing is a bit much (he may argue that he's never been asked not to swear by a patient, so what's the big deal?) I'm not sure how nail digging & slapping is a method of self-defense with a partially or fully combative patient. Any middle school student even knows that prodding the bull will just make it more aggressive, or so we'd hope.
Sorry i haven't really offered my opinion on it, but I'm just curious the specific circumstances leading to such events. The slapping? Now, that's a bit much & farther than what may POSSIBLY be a somewhat firm grasp to do blood draws or temporarily restrain a patient having a acute issue.
What shift is this on? Any possibility of a family member/visitor/ancillary staff walking in & observing this behavior? Hopefully it's not as bad as it sounds, but I have the feeling my 'everybody deserves benefit of the doubt' attitude is possibly over-reaching here.
Looking forward to more clarification.

I kinda agree the swearing may not be a big deal, I swear myself, I just have never done it in the workplace. I did respond to another post on some things I have witnessed. It is during the day shift and so far it is to patients that are not able to speak.

Even as a student and when I was with my other preceptor, I have never thought to slap a patient. I didn't even know it was allowed, even for defence. I guess I will have to check my facility policy on this.

Trauma Columnist · May 23, 2016

This is an ethical and legal issue. By NOT reporting it, YOU are just as guilty.

Depressed_RN · May 23, 2016

Slapping and digging your fingernails into someone is not an effective method of self-defense. To me the justification he gives for his actions is just ridiculous. Have you confronted him regarding his behavior? Is that when he claimed self-defense? I have to assume that you're not the first coworker who has witnessed his abusive behavior, and it's really sad and actually quite surprising that it has been allowed to go on. I'm having a hard time understanding why others haven't taken action.
His behavior needs to stop. In my opinion you need to report him. Just make sure that you're making an accurate report of your observations. It's a serious allegation. I realize that it puts you in an awkward situation since you're on probation but I suspect from what you write that knowing what you do and not doing anything about it, is weighing on your conscience. Not only that, but you also have an ethical and I suspect legal (I'm not from the US/Canada, so unsure about your laws) obligation as a nurse to act on this. Do it anonymously if that's possible. Not that I think that you should be afraid to make the report in person though. Think about it. If things are as bad as you've described, would you really want to continue working in a facility where management retaliates against someone who brings patient abuse to their attention?
Just as a side note, why did you add this information? Whether he is well liked or not really isn't the issue here, is it? The question is if he is abusing patients or not. If he is, he isn't suitable for his job, well liked or not.

I could do it anonymously, Im just scared he will know it is me. I dont want them to go through all the incidences because he will know it is me, it is bad but Im just scared to lose my job. If I was past the probation period I would feel ok about reporting but right now I am scared to risk it.

RNKPCE · May 23, 2016

You must report this! And not anonymously.

LTCNS, LPN · May 23, 2016

Think of it like this. If someone else witnesses his disgusting, twisted behavior and you are in the room with him & making no attempts to stop him, then he gets reported, you will go down with him because it would appear as if you are condoning his actions. By NOT reporting him you are putting your livelihood, license and freedom at risk. What this jerk is doing is a crime. I would not risk it if I were you. This is serious and needs to be stopped.