male instructor touching students - I voiced my concern

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi guys, I don't know if you remember that some weeks ago I posted a message here regarding my health assessment male instructor touching the female students during lab classes. Anyway, 98% of the students in my class are women from 19 - 44 years old, and at least half of us (maybe more) feel really uncomfortable with this specific instructor. Anyway, he can be nice and funny at times, but many of us think he is quite bossy and arrogant, and overuses his power making some of us feel really small. So I was already frustrated about this whole thing, and two weeks ago when we had to do the abdomen assessment, I was lying in bed and 2 other students were working with me, assessing each other. We had curtains around and our instructor said that we didn't need to wear gown, so I was lying there with my shirt on top of my breasts and my jeans opened. He came into the cubicle where we were, and he asked me to show my pubic bone. But I was feeling kind of uncomfortable, and he said: "If you can't find it, I will!" And he reached down my panties and started touching my pubic bone, not taking into consideration that he was crossing my comfort zone and didn't respect the fact that I didn't want him touching me. Then when he grabbed my jeans to drop even more I said "NO".. and he ended up making comments about my pubic hair, as there was no reason for me to be shy because he had seen lots, and he looked at the two students and said that eventually we have to be forceful with patients.

I just felt that my privacy wasn't ensured at any time. He again overused his power, compromised my learning, and then came back later to ask if I was ok. Then the next day, he phoned my house to apologise, but because I was already fedup, I phoned the other campus (same University) and talked to the dean of health sciences and explained to her what had happened and I was curious to know what his job description really is and how far can he go. So to make the story short, the Dean of health sciences ended up phoning the coordinator of the nursing program and told her that I had phoned, and the dean also talked to the male instructor.

But it seemed to me that after the Dean talked to the instructor, they were convinced by his version of the story, and I felt as if I am just being a whiner and although the said that they understand my concerns and changes will be made, I think they are saying that just to pretend they are supporting me. The coordinator of the nursing program who is a female, is defending him, and said to me that "he is a nurse and he did that to me, just because he was trying to demonstrate to me where my pubic bone is"

I still think he shouldn't touch us at all. But apparently he thinks that he needs to keep demonstrating how to do things. I also suggested us wearing shorts and tanktops instead of just panties and bra, but I noticed some resistance to the idea.

Oh well... I just get a negative vibe from him, and I am happy to know that he won't ever tough me again, but I really wish something could be done, so people wouldn't feel intimidated to go to his class.

Thanks for listening..

Specializes in geriatric.

i agree. you may have a case for battery. it was inexcusable for him to touch you that way or even to threaten to touch you. you did the right thing by reporting him. it is a shame, however, that administration chose not to believe you. have you asked some of your classmates that witnessed this to speak up? this man should not be allowed to get away with degrading and humiliating his students this way. best of luck to you and let us know what comes of it.

edited to include: at no time during my nursing training was i required to be even partially undressed in front of my instructors or classmates. i have never heard of this being required as part of training. this whole situation just seems inappropriate to me.

I agree with everyone else, completely inappropriate. I would pursue it further. The school is going to stand behind him because he is employed by them, and to admit that he has commited a crime against you only opens them up to liability. That is completely unacceptable behavior, that makes my skin crawl, what a jerk.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Something has to be done to stop this person. He'll do it AGAIN, he's probably done it before, and called it an assessment.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I would definitely write this up and start the process to get this guy outta there! He is a total freak! Doesn't deserve to be an instructor!

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Doesn't deserve to be in contact with people.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

OK you verbally reported situation. Heard from Nursing Department Dean. Now follow-up in writing your objections. Is it possible that your fellow classmates who are also uncomfortable would cosign a letter outlining classroom and clinical concerns.

State YOUR concerns in objective voice:

I was lying in bed and 2 other students were working with me, assessing each other. We had curtains around and our instructor said that we didn't need to wear gown, so I was lying there with my shirt on top of my breasts and my jeans opened. He came into the cubicle where we were, and he asked me to show my pubic bone. But I was feeling kind of uncomfortable, and he said: "If you can't find it, I will!" And he reached down my panties and started touching my pubic bone, not taking into consideration that he was crossing my comfort zone and didn't respect the fact that I didn't want him touching me. Then when he grabbed my jeans to drop even more I said "NO".. and he ended up making comments about my pubic hair, as there was no reason for me to be shy because he had seen lots, and he looked at the two students and said that eventually we have to be forceful with patients.

Instructor asked to touch pubic bone, you said no, instructor forcefully did so anyway...etc.

Check out student handbook for how to file formal complaint. At least send copy to Nursing Dean, Dean of Students AND School President.

You are PAYING for your education and should be receiving the best quality instruction. The above interaction is NOT professional behaviour IMHO and concurred by colleagues as expressed other posts.

Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

I agree - I wouldn't let it go, and I would file battery as well.

Im sorry but his actions were INEXCUSEABLE!!!!!!!

And the fact that he called to apologize shows he KNOWS it was not right - document all the facts with times dates and names of witnesses on paper so that you dont forget anything.

File a police report and a report with the board if you must, but DO something besides letting the dean sweep it under the carpet. I would go to the dean of the University, not just the dean of health sciences.

You might also remind them of the liability they could be incurring by keeping someone like this around. If they threaten you, hire an attorney!

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

psssst...just found this in pa's nursing practice act---

sexual violation--the term includes the following offenses:

(i) sexual intercourse between a registered nurse and a patient during the professional relationship.

(ii) genital to genital contact between a nurse and a patient during the professional relationship.

(iii) oral to genital contact between a nurse and a patient during the professional relationship.

(iv) touching breasts, genitals, or any other body part for any purpose other than appropriate examination or treatment, or using prolonged or improper examination techniques, or after the patient has refused or withdrawn consent.

(v) encouraging a patient to masturbate in the presence of the nurse or masturbating while a patient is present.

(vi) providing or offering to provide drugs or treatment in exchange for sexual favors. (vii) using or causing the use of anesthesia or any other drug affecting consciousness for the purpose of engaging in conduct that would constitute a sexual impropriety or sexual violation.

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter21/chap21toc.html#21.33

Specializes in OB, lactation.

I am in shock about your story!

I hope that you don't let this go. He is going to keep abusing other people if so. There is nothing even remotely arguable about the inappropriateness of his actions.

I would report him to the police and the board. It is not a joke and he knows it.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I would contact the dean again and tell them that if THEY don't do anything about it, you are going to the DA and file a restraining order and request that a criminal investigation be conducted.

Your Dean is trying to push this under the carpet.

So be assertive and give her a choice: they either need to make a big deal out of this now, or, once criminal charges are filed, a BIG DEAL will be made out of this - in the media, probably.

And if no further action is taken by the dean, I'd go talk to your County DA.

(Most DA offices have a member that specializes in sexual/physical abuse and can get you a restraining order without needing a lawyer.)

~faith,

Timothy.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

36_19_2.gif I agree that he went WAY over the line!! I would also report him to the board! Good luck and please keep us posted as to what happens!!

What a CREEP!!!! I definitly would report this to the board. Who does he think he is?!?!?!? There is no excuse for his behavior. And the more people brussh this whole thing off the louder I would get. No student should ever be put in this type of situation, and I am sorry you had to go through it. Please keep us posted on what comes of this.

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