Coworker physically abusive to patients

[Depressed_RN]

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

[Glycerine82, LPN]

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.

I'm scared that he's going to keep doing this crap if you don't speak up! Sounds like no one has ever called him out, I'm sorry but based on what you described, this person has no business working with patients.

If It were me, I wouldn't care about hiding it or him finding out. I would care only that it got reported and that he was held accountable. It would quite literally be him or me. Please report him, in detail and in writing. If you do it properly and follow the chain of command something should get done fairly quickly.

[Mommavik, ADN]

Those who ask "what can be do if he knows she told" there are many ways he can retaliate without being blatant; not to mention it is her word against his at this point unless this occurred recently enough that there are marks on one of these patients. She states none of these patients can speak but if one or all is alert enough maybe she/he can answer questions put to her/him by the supervisor Still as these others state you MUST report this if not to the supervisor then to the ethics (anonymous)line of your facility

[Ellie G]

Absolutely you need to report this in simple factual terms giving information you have personally witnessed. Whether others like him or not is immaterial. Is he abusing patients? If yes, then he has to be reported. It is never acceptable to be abusive to a patient under any circumstances.

[GLORIAmunchkin72]

Report it and be ready to leave your job because they won't believe you, or even if they believe you they won't do anything about it. If you don't lose your job you'll end up working in a very awkward environment and that's not worth it.

[nursejoy1, ASN, RN]

In my opinion anyone who witnesses abuse and does not report it, is just as guilty as the person doing it. I would report it, no question. And yes, I have two children and work two jobs to make ends meet, but would never compromise my belief that the work I do is to make things better for my residents.

Also to reply to Gloriamunchkin, some facilities will do something about it. I know of a few instances at the facility where I work, where both nurses and CNAs have been terminated, turned over to the BON or CNA licensure board and even spent time in jail.

[GLORIAmunchkin72]

Agreed. Some facilities will do something about it including mine. But from what the poster stated or implied most everyone there already knew or suspected. Hum...Would I stay there? NO. How much worse would it be after a few years if it's like that when you start working?

In my opinion anyone who witnesses abuse and does not report it, is just as guilty as the person doing it. I would report it, no question. And yes, I have two children and work two jobs to make ends meet, but would never compromise my belief that the work I do is to make things better for my residents.

Also to reply to Gloriamunchkin, some facilities will do something about it. I know of a few instances at the facility where I work, where both nurses and CNAs have been terminated, turned over to the BON or CNA licensure board and even spent time in jail.

[hson15]

OP, there will be option for anonymous report in your nursing board website: ASAP. If you do not know your manager well enough, and not comfortable to report it to her, you have a choice not to report it to your manager. I will report it to the nursing board.

[beckysue920]

'Depressed RN', I really feel for you. I agree that you must report this...anonymously to the Board of Nursing. Keep a copy of your complaint to BON (at home...not at work). Create a private journal citing his infractions (include dates, time, the situation, etc. but do to violate HIPPA)...also keep at home.

If I were you, I'd do this like yesterday?