How do you deal with Sexual Harassment from Pt

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I'm not a nurse yet but I have had my share of overly friendly male attention at places I have worked at. I am wondering, once I get into nursing, how to deal with pt that cross the line? I'd be tempted to give them the back of my hand if the same thing happened to me as what I read in the "grossest thing that happened to you at work thread".

What do you guys do, or have done? :eek:

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Specializes in LTC , SDC and MDS certified (3.0).

I look them in the eye, sternly, tell them that what they did was inappropriate, and I did not like it! And PLEASE DO NOT do it again!!

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I guess that would be a given but the way I feel about it... they already know better so why should they just get away with a stern look instead of a right hook? jk ehehehe I think....

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Specializes in Nephrology.

I had one pt who tried to reach under my dress uniform. I politely but firmly moved his hand, told him if that happened again I would be pressing charges. I told my manager immediately and she had words with the pt. (She's like a mama bear - you don'tr mess with her nurses!) He was just fine after that. Of course, the problem becomes if the pt is confuseed or demented, but that wasn't the case here.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

"That's inappropriate"

Repeat prn

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Specializes in LTC.

If telling them to knock it off don't work. Always bring two staff members into the room for cares or send in male employees.

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Be firm and set boundaries. Some male patients will be severely incapacitated, post a stroke or have their southern parts not working or are highly contaigous in some way and they will still make a pass at you. It is in their charts and they act like you dont know. Do not get mad, get firm.

They usually stop.

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Also, get a co-worker to go in with you.

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Since we are all nurses, you do not need to bring in a male nurse to solve this problem. come prepared, with your firm response, and another employee for your own safety.

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I agree with the others, be stern, bring in two, chart it all and don't let it slide once or it will happen again. If they have dementia tell them that was wrong and try to focus their attention, and energy, elsewhere.

Yesterday in fact a pt tried grab my rear when I was at the med cart and he was being taken by me in a w/c. I was not expecting it, and really only felt his hand for a second because the aid pushing him was quick! She grab his hand and scolded him quite sternly. She said he was being very inappropriate and rude. That he was not to do that to anyone. I could hear her in the room telling him that just because I'm young......he has to treat me with respect....ect. I really appreciated her fast hands and saving me the time of telling him off.

The morale of the story "A good aide will save your a$$" (HA HA-couldn't resist it):lol2:

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Oh, I have funny story that happened to my friend

A pt who always extremely inappropriate with the female staff. The nurses were so feed up, and venting to his female doctor. The doc grabbed a ruler went into the room and said "okay big boy. Take it you. If we are going to waste our time with you it has to be worth it. Come on lets measure." No one ever had a problem with him after that that, turns out big boy, he was not.

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).

It happens. It happened a LOT at the first place I worked. All you can do is let them know it's inappropriate. There are certain settings it happens more in, from my experience-with individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol, also certain neurological disorders can make people behave in ways they normally wouldn't.

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