Do I have rights against workplace harassment from patients?

Nurses Professionalism

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Specializes in ER,Neurology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology.

2.5 years ago I transferred from acute are into a multispeciality office in the same hospital. My old boss assignment me to a very busy area and I basically began managing my own area. Before I arrived they had 2 RNs, now I am by myself. My area has a poor design and is the only one like this. My desk is against the wall, in the area of traffic. I triage patients in this area and they also pass me by when existing and entering physician rooms. I experience constant harassment from male patients. Some is innocent, some is slimy and direct. On daily basis i am being touched by male patients from the back, among slimy comments and questions. A few months ago a patient snuck up behind me when I was not paying attention and put his hands around my neck. It took me 20 minutes to come down off a panic attack.

When I brought this situation to the attention of my new supervisor and her assistant, I was asked : “ well, why is this only happening to you?” And “ we can reassign you to a different area to give you a break”.

I feel like I am being punished. It took me 2 years to make changes in this department to make it run like a well-oiled machine. I possess certain expertise in areas which other staff members do not, such as administration of certain biological and immunotherapy.

I am friendly, but in no way my appearance warrants this kind of attention from patients. I wear loose scrubs and my hair is always up, but even then make patients find some ways to comment on my accent and blond hair. It is becoming unbearable. When there is another staff member next to me, this behavior from patients goes away.

I feel the problem lies with inappropriate layout of the office, where I am often left 1:1 with a patient and they can do and say whatever they want without witnesses.

I was told that I am not going to receive a second staff member and my area will not be redesigned. I made it known that I am no longer happy at my job and I dread coming to work. I feel traumatized and jumpy. I deal with military personnel.. likely the same individuals who made it miserable for female service members to serve in the military.

My choices are - either to suck it up or leave the department and go back to acute care.

However I also wonder what legal action I can take to protect my employment position?

Any suggestion would help..

thank you.

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Wow, that would drive me nuts having people sneak up on me. My sister is always having these kinds of problems and she is very attractive.

It will get better, as you get older, but for now I might try a few things such as- buying a very highbacked chair with my own money and leaving it at work. Or bringing a screen to set behind me, ask the boss what might be allowed. I also would hopefully be permitted to put some kind of sign in back and front. Something like, "In this professional environment, please be advised the area is videotaped, and the staff is unreceptive to romantic gestures". Good luck!

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I am sorry that you have to deal with this kind of harassment. It is not acceptable for clients to harass you, but in this career I notice people sometimes turn a blind eye to these kinds of things, which is really sad. I think I would be most concerned about your safety. Is there security/someone you can call if things get out of hand? Cameras? Panic buttons? It sounds like your immediate supervisor was not very receptive to your concerns. Are you part of a union? Because that could be another route to getting things addressed. Wishing you all the best.

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Forget about legal action until you get away from there. And get away from there yesterday. They have already told you they will not give you a partner and they won’t redesign your space. They have tried to guilt you by pointing out that this only happens to you. Do you think for one minute that the positive changes you made are respected at all or appreciated? Take care of yourself by getting away from that hostile workplace. Meanwhile document incidents and actions. But concentrate on getting to a nonhostile work environment. You owe it to yourself.

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And where exactly might that be in nursing? Leaving is definitely an option, but there may be things to ease the struggle in the meantime. It sounds like she's invested some time in the organization.

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Specializes in ER,Neurology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology.

Thank you all so much for compassion!

I considered going back to the ER. At this point they have me by the balls because they paid for a part of my BSN and I owe 2.5 years of service.

I had a meltdown at work today and ended up taking sick leave and going home.

I have PTSD, which has been under excellent control until the hands on neck incident. I am scared to make waves because there is still a lot of stigma against healthcare workers with mental health issues. I can’t imagine what nurses with BPD or depression must be feeling.

I am considering requesting to have a camera placed in the office.

We do have a union and I am not a member. Not sure if they would want to get involved.. but I can ask.

I have an excellent reputation at the hospital - I had some awards and a nomination for another big deal award.

Maybe it can help me.

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It sounds like your boss has zero interesting in fixing this, I would try a slightly different angle before your look at transfers. You mentioned triaging patients in a public area which is also a walk way for other staff/ patients? Surely this violates the privacy of the patients. HIPAA violation? What mechanism does your hospital have in place for patient complaints. Is there online feedback or written feedback cards? If there is I would make some complaints about privacy violations, be careful not to use your computer or log in or turn in the cards carefully or they won’t be anonymous for long. If you have a HIPAA rep I would also reach out to them framing your concern that you are concerned for your license as your practice of triaging in a public area is a blatant privacy violation. If you can agitate some real patients to complain without it coming back on you even better.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

You have rights, but unfortunately, the facility sees the pt as an income generator and you, the nurse, as a replaceable expense. Been there, done that when I was much younger...

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On 6/25/2019 at 7:04 PM, Anagray said:

Thank you all so much for compassion!

I considered going back to the ER. At this point they have me by the balls because they paid for a part of my BSN and I owe 2.5 years of service.

I had a meltdown at work today and ended up taking sick leave and going home.

I have PTSD, which has been under excellent control until the hands on neck incident. I am scared to make waves because there is still a lot of stigma against healthcare workers with mental health issues. I can’t imagine what nurses with BPD or depression must be feeling.

I am considering requesting to have a camera placed in the office.

We do have a union and I am not a member. Not sure if they would want to get involved.. but I can ask.

I have an excellent reputation at the hospital - I had some awards and a nomination for another big deal award.

Maybe it can help me.

Join the union yesterday

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