So, I get out of work last night, and there's a text from a number I don't know. The person spelled my name wrong, which I find odd, but I brush it off..no biggie.
So today I'm in a room, and I get a call from my charge nurse. S, please come talk to me at the front desk as soon as you can. Apparently someone called and was like, "This is a resident. I need S's phone number." Luckily my charge nurse, said, "uhhh...there is no number." and hung up. Too weird and embarrassing.
Later, I'm getting some chapstick out of my locker, and there's a new text message from the unknown number. It is longer, etc, and then, has a name. Of course, this isn't the MD's given name, but nickname. So, I go to charge and explain who this might be.
I met this guy last week while he was rounding, and he was cute and friendly, but I got red flags right away. Every time he saw me, he would address me repeatedly by my first name. Like, S, how are you doing. Oh S, the pt in 28 requires 2 U PRBCs. S, Can you order them. It just struck me as odd..but I brushed him off as an eager resident trying to be friendly.
What concerns me now is, how did he get my cell phone number? Did he go in our private personnel/floor phone book and write it down? Creepy!
So, I get out of work last night, and there's a text from a number I don't know. The person spelled my name wrong, which I find odd, but I brush it off..no biggie.
So today I'm in a room, and I get a call from my charge nurse. S, please come talk to me at the front desk as soon as you can. Apparently someone called and was like, "This is a resident. I need S's phone number." Luckily my charge nurse, said, "uhhh...there is no number." and hung up. Too weird and embarrassing.
Later, I'm getting some chapstick out of my locker, and there's a new text message from the unknown number. It is longer, etc, and then, has a name. Of course, this isn't the MD's given name, but nickname. So, I go to charge and explain who this might be.
I met this guy last week while he was rounding, and he was cute and friendly, but I got red flags right away. Every time he saw me, he would address me repeatedly by my first name. Like, S, how are you doing. Oh S, the pt in 28 requires 2 U PRBCs. S, Can you order them. It just struck me as odd..but I brushed him off as an eager resident trying to be friendly.
What concerns me now is, how did he get my cell phone number? Did he go in our private personnel/floor phone book and write it down? Creepy!
There is a doctor where I work who comes to make rounds at very odd hours, and he gives you this "look." He's very strange and makes a lot of the nurses uneasy. We swear there was one nurse he was trying to lure outside one night. The boss people won't hear that there could be anything off with him. It makes it creepy to walk out to your car late at night.
I am with those who say to just take him aside and say, "Thanks, but no thanks." I understand how you are creeped out---really. But, he may just be socially awkward or shy. Just tell him that you are not interested. I wouldn't go up the chain of command just yet.
I mean, what's so wrong with taking this man to the side and saying, "although it was flattering, I am not interested".
I would NOT get any other people involved in this until I have let this guy know myself that I am not interested FIRST.
Now, if he continues to send text messages or call her, then I will go up the chain of command.
And why get the charge nurses and other people involved WITHOUT letting this guy know first she is not feeling him? That is unnecessary drama in my opinion.
I say pull this guy to the side (if you don't want to call him back or text him back) and let him know DIRECTLY and FIRMLY you are not interested and leave it at that. If the message don't seek in, and he continues to call or text, then yeah, he may be labeled a stalker.
I really think you would be wise to just address this with the resident directly. This is certainly isn't stalking at present. Let him know you flat out aren't interested and don't want him to contact you again. Period.
Getting his attending, your co-workers, your manager, etc. involved right now really isn't necessary. It will turn this into a big dramatic situation where it need not be.
Let him know how you feel and I bet it stops immediately. If it doesn't then you take additional steps but as of right now I'd deal with this one-on-one.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I think you should begin with speaking to the resident first. Say that obtaining your phone number without asking you personally made you extremely uncomfortable and you would appreciate that he no longer texts or call you. If he has offical business related to patient care, this is the only acceptable contact for you. If he continues, THEN go up the chain of command. I just don't want to see this blow out of proportion if he is just a social misfit. But, I can understand the red flag feeling. And, I would keep the text messages as proof.
I have seen weird things happen at hospitals for years, which led me to change certain digits of my social security number, date of birth, use my previous address and leave my cell number only in personal records. People have used this information for identity theft and other means that make me too uncomfortable.
Once a friend of mine that is a unit clerk was talking about the type of flowers she plants in her yard. A few weeks later, the Assistant Manager came and said to her "Oh, your flowers are really nice". My friend asked how she knew, and she said "Oh, I looked up your address in the computer and took it upon myself to drive by your house to see for myself". Immediately, my friend reported it to the powers that be. What reason would this assistant manager want to take the time out of her weekend to drive past any employee's house just to see the decor of the garden??
I didn't read through all pages..but are u sure this is the resident...I mean u said he never said his name and only used a nick name...before ruining this guys career u should definately make sure its him..and if it is him them u should confront him directly..if that doesn't work then escalate..HTH...
OK, let's put this in the form of an NCLEX question
You are an RN that works on a busy hospital unit. You start receiving text messages that you realize are from a Medical Resident who has apparently taken a fancy to you and somehow obtained your personal cellphone number.
You are somewhat disconcerted, and you are not interested in this resident as a romantic prospect, nor do you want a friendship with him. What should be your FIRST course of action?
1)Call the police
2)Report him to his attending
3) Text him back, politely telling him that you aren't interested and that you'd like him to cease texting you
OK, let's put this in the form of an NCLEX question
You are an RN that works on a busy hospital unit. You start receiving text messages that you realize are from a Medical Resident who has apparently taken a fancy to you and somehow obtained your personal cellphone number.
You are somewhat disconcerted, and you are not interested in this resident as a romantic prospect, nor do you want a friendship with him. What should be your FIRST course of action?
1)Call the police
2)Report him to his attending
3) Text him back, politely telling him that you aren't interested and that you'd like him to cease texting you
4) Complain about him to everyone in the hospital
You crack me up. lol
I'm going with C. Texting him back is prob even better at present. Keep the proof and it would also be more comfortable for the OP and resident.
Specializes in LTC, Homecare Peds/Adult, Psych, Detox.
so, i get out of work last night, and there's a text from a number i don't know. the person spelled my name wrong, which i find odd, but i brush it off..no biggie.
so today i'm in a room, and i get a call from my charge nurse. s, please come talk to me at the front desk as soon as you can. apparently someone called and was like, "this is a resident. i need s's phone number." luckily my charge nurse, said, "uhhh...there is no number." and hung up. too weird and embarrassing.
later, i'm getting some chapstick out of my locker, and there's a new text message from the unknown number. it is longer, etc, and then, has a name. of course, this isn't the md's given name, but nickname. so, i go to charge and explain who this might be.
i met this guy last week while he was rounding, and he was cute and friendly, but i got red flags right away. every time he saw me, he would address me repeatedly by my first name. like, s, how are you doing. oh s, the pt in 28 requires 2 u prbcs. s, can you order them. it just struck me as odd..but i brushed him off as an eager resident trying to be friendly.
what concerns me now is, how did he get my cell phone number? did he go in our private personnel/floor phone book and write it down? creepy!
you need to talk /c your dns, his pcp (dr.) & the cops asap!!! stakling is a serious issue & needs to be addressed immediately before something happens. this resident obviously has some mental health issues that need attention stat! as a person that has been stalked for 6-1/2 years by my ex-husband. i am quite aware how it affestsa person phychologically & ruins your work performance.
Jo Dirt
3,270 Posts
There is a doctor where I work who comes to make rounds at very odd hours, and he gives you this "look." He's very strange and makes a lot of the nurses uneasy. We swear there was one nurse he was trying to lure outside one night. The boss people won't hear that there could be anything off with him. It makes it creepy to walk out to your car late at night.
Carry some pepper spray.