I need an experts opinions please !!

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Hello, I'm and RN who work in ICU unit since 3 years. I'm very nice open mind and very social person that I like to talk a lot to people around me. Anyway English is my second language and I had an incidents with some nurses that were making fun of my name or the way I spell some words which was not a big deal for me and I always considered that as a jock and it never got me to the point that I been mad or anything. Last week I got called on my phone by my charge nurse and she said its important to come to the nursing station and I was busy in a patient's room so she said to come asap because it's important. Any way I walked to the nursing station and there was my charge with 4 staff nurses and many people around there and she was telling me to repeat words and started to laugh loudly about the way I said it and all the other nurses were encouraging her and mocking my accent loudly and that made me really mad, I told her this is inappropriate and not professional and I walked a way while they kept laughing. I reported that to my manger and she immediately reported that to HR. Anyway I'm so worry because I never been involved in any situation like this, and I'm worry about what HR will do, I don't want anyone to get fire or discipline and I really don't know if I even did the right thing by reporting that to my manger. I feel like it's not a big deal but obviously according to my manger it is a huge deal. I need your opinion guys of what to do in cases like these because I'm really very confused because I don't want people to start avoiding me or retaliate against me after this.

Thank you guys for all responses it really means a lot to me. I was always nice to everyone and still don't want to get them in troubles but obviously they need some kinds of training in how to respect people who are different than them.

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Specializes in Critical care.
Sorry, I getting way to jaded, thanks All nurses. This sounds like a troll. I hope I'm wrong, prove me wrong and I will humbly apologize.

Sadly, I don't think this is a troll. The OP has been a member since October 2013 with 92 posts and 52 likes.

I say sadly because the scenario the OP posted about is so horrible and degrading that I wish it wasn't true. I'm appalled at the behavior of the other nurses on the unit.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

You do not have to tolerate this treatment. I would make a point to talk to someone in HR immediately. I once worked with an RN from northern Europe with an accent that took some time to understand. She spoke in a very direct manner in which was her culture. She was a great colleague and a good nurse. Some co-workers made fun of her accent and communication skills. She moved on and I miss her greatly. Could be not everyone feels this way also. Talk to HR. I feel for you.

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Specializes in Hospice.
Sorry, I getting way to jaded, thanks All nurses. This sounds like a troll. I hope I'm wrong, prove me wrong and I will humbly apologize.

Not believing it, either. An icu manager and multiple icu staff gathering in the nurses station specifically and only to mock the OPs accent? Really?

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This is not a troll and sadly it happened with all the details. Yes it was before shift change report and some nurses were from different unit too. Unfortunately yes this is happened to me !!!

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for everyone think it's just a troll NO its not, it happened and they were gathering on the nursing station and I got call to repeat some words to just mock me and make fun of it !!!!

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
Not believing it, either. An icu manager and multiple icu staff gathering in the nurses station specifically and only to mock the OPs accent? Really?

'been there, had that. More than once.

Those who never were in these shoes hardly can believe how senselessly cruel people can be toward those whom they can mock and harrass if they know there will be no punishment. Just like 2000 years ago respectable citizens enjoyed seeing fellow humans dying in torture and like just 50 years ago it was ok to humiliate and harrass others for being of "wrong" skin color.

OP, when I met with EEOC lawyers, they did not believe me, too. When I showed them the evidence I had, they literally dropped down from their chairs.

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Im very sorry to hear of how rude and insensitive your coworkers and manager were being. You did the right thing. HR seems like they are taking this seriously. If you are not completely in love with your position in your unit, I'd begin looking elsewhere. You do not deserve harassment. Best wishes

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

In this day and age of political correctness I am blown away that anyone would even think of doing this. OP, I am sorry this has been done to you. I think you were right to let the first few incidents go; some people aren't too sharp. But to the point of ganging up and calling you away from a patient - that is mind-boggling. I'm glad you reported this.

Unlike you, I do hope someone gets disciplined or fired. Whoever instigated this needs to be made an example of, and whoever is dumb enough to follow along needs to be hauled up short. I think you are owed a formal apology.

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I am sorry the OP had to go through this. Gather round my children and CharleeFoxtrot will give you words of wisdom that are timeless. There are three words any nurse speaking any language needs to know in any bullying or harassment situation when speaking to HR people. "Hostile work environment"...makes HR people get the shakes and imagining worker's rights attorneys suing them for tons of money.

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You did the right thing. You called low-lives out on their unprofessional & group induced "brave" behavior. If there were more nurses who did this there would be a heck of a lot less BS in nursing and other professionals might actually treat us with some level of respect instead of what we get now.

Having said that don't expect this to go without a backlash from your coworkers. You did a brave thing and now these yammering twits are going to test your resolve. Prepare

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