Coworker physically abusive to patients

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I am a new grad that has been working in the ER for close to 2 months. 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. He has worked at the hospital for almost 4 years and does not appear to be well liked by half of the staff. I want to report him but I am still in my probation period and I fear that they may terminate me if I do. I thought about reporting anonymously but I'm also scared he will put the pieces together and realize it was me!

He is very friendly with the manager, it is really just sickening how he treats some patients. I feel like this is a horrible secret to keep but I feel I have to in order to keep my job :(

Hello, my name is Marcy and I live in Virginia. Thank you for your post. That took a lot of courage to voice your concerns onto the forum. I know personally how hard that is to say those words and to voice your feelings and your concerns. A nurse should not hit a patient; even if the patient hits the nurse. In my experiences as a nurse, I had been hit a few times by patients and children who have hit me in anger and I was not allowed to hit them or spank the child. If I ever hit a patient or spanked a child when I was doing school health nursing, I would have been terminated for those actions. So, there are a lot of things to see. First, we know that hitting patients is not a correct way to handle any nursing situation. A nurse needs to have the ears open more and the mouth to be more cautiously open when speaking to the patients. Second, fear about what you are seeing is hard. I have been there. There were times when I was a nurse in the past where I could not believe what I just saw that happened. The thing that I took away from that situation is that I wanted to be a kind and gentle nurse to my patients in a respectful manner. So, that situation made me a stronger nurse that I am today and that can happen to you as well. You can look at your situation, see what he is doing to the patients, and say to yourself "I can be a good and respectful nurse my own way without hitting." If you are able to, watch other nurses on your floor and see how they respect their clients too. Getting a more broader view on things always is helpful. Whatever you feel in your heart to do about telling your supervisor or not is totally up to you. It is very hard to figure out. Perhaps, writing it down on paper would be a good thing. Whatever you decide to do will be the right decision. Just know that you have lots of people to support you at your job and other nurses too. I wish you the best of luck and thank you for posting. Marcy

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Pointing out to you what your obligations are as a MANDATORY REPORTER does not make Libby a bully. You obviously feel this isn't right in your gut, that is clear. Do the thing you're REQUIRED to do and report. I get that because it's "one of our own" you're hesitant, but you accepted certain responsibilities when you got your nursing license. As others have said, by you witnessing this behavior and turning your head, you're implicated too.

to me you come off as a bully, you accuse me of exaggerating something you have no knowledge about. I am a new nurse just reaching out to others.
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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
Pointing out to you what your obligations are as a MANDATORY REPORTER does not make Libby a bully. You obviously feel this isn't right in your gut, that is clear. Do the thing you're REQUIRED to do and report. I get that because it's "one of our own" you're hesitant, but you accepted certain responsibilities when you got your nursing license. As others have said, by you witnessing this behavior and turning your head, you're implicated too.

Libby was the first member to respond to the OP. She stated that she "suspected" the OP was exaggerating right off the bat. That is not bullying, but it was rather out of character for Libby, a regular poster who is usually tactful. I would probably be offended by that, too.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

This is what I said. What Libby posted was NOT bullying. I don't understand your reply to mine.

Libby was the first member to respond to the OP. She stated that she "suspected" the OP was exaggerating right off the bat. That is not bullying, but it was rather out of character for Libby, a regular poster who is usually tactful. I would probably be offended by that, too.
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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
This is what I said. What Libby posted was NOT bullying. I don't understand your reply to mine.

The OP stated that Libby came off as a bully because Libby suspected she was exaggerating, not because Libby pointed out that she must report the abuse.

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You are obligated to report this. This is abuse and you are accountable to your practice and to the patients you are caring for. You should not be terminated for this and if by chance you are, seek help from your nursing licensing board. Take care.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

It's your duty to report him. Why haven't any patients complained? Easy...are you sure it's abuse; it's hard to believe no patient's haven't said something. If it is, than it's your legal obligation to go forth and report him. The swearing can be considered abuse as well. I knew a CNA who was verbally offensive to the patients and she was gone right after someone else reported her. It was my first job, and I had no idea, but learned fast.

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If this comes out and you haven't reported it, you may be looking for a new job. In my state, if you are aware of abuse and don't report you are just as guilty. So March into the supervisor's office and report what you suspect. If nothing is done, move up the ladder.

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I am not a nurse. I'm not even a nursing student; all I've completed are my prereqs and I'm waiting for my answer to come in three weeks. I know jack about being a nurse or working in that kind of environment. I do have experience like this from another line of work, though. I have worked with kids for years. The last daycare I worked for, there was a coworker who hit the children, screamed at the children, and was a downright burnt out bully who legally should have been banned from going within 500 yards of a child about 10 years ago, in my opinion. We are talking BABIES here. Less than 24 months old. By even being in the same building as this foolishness, I felt personally responsible for it's prolonged continuation, and legally I was. I could have reported her to management, but the thing is that everybody already knew she was doing this and chose to ignore it. So i quit, and reported her to DCFS anonymously. Turns out a week later she was fired for smacking a kid in front of the director--kinda hard to ignore it when it happens right in front of your face this time. My point here is that it's better to risk losing your job, or to quit, than to put up with it and continue to align yourself with people like that. I didn't want people to associate my good name and reputation with the same center that employs people who hit babies.

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If some of those patient population he is directing this behavior towards is the elderly, mentally or physically disabled and even children you are obligated to report such abuse. It is sickening to even witness such type of behavior, and I am surprised that none of his co-workers have not said or done anything. I understand your fear, however you took on this profession for serving others and being an advocate for all patients despite the cost, If I were you I would report anonymously and if you get terminated for standing up for the right thing then that employer is not a good fit for you and does not deserve you working for them.

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Your post brings tears to my eyes. I'm am sorry that you are in this situation that you didn't ask to be in and puts you in an uncomfortable place. My only question is what if those patients were your mom or dad?

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I think there had been a lot of advice posted here, so I don't have anything to add. However I do want to say I am truly sorry you have been put in this position. As someone who had had their fair share of bad luck, you have been in my thoughts. I personally would be heartbroken and stressed if I was in the situation you are in. I also want to say you have shown a lot of integrity and courage even asking the question on a public forum.

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