I saw another nurse assault a patient

Published

A big male nurse grabbed a struggling, intoxicated elder by the throat in front of me and pushed him back on the bed, growling "I told you to f'ing lie down!". I would normally have absolutely have no problem reporting this, except that we are in quasi-competition for the same job. I have little trust that the management will not see my disclosure as anything but self-serving and untrustworthy. The patient himself cannot make a complaint and the co-worker who was with me doesn't want to "borrow trouble". What would you do?

Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

If this situation occurred as you stated it as a mandated reporter you have to report it. If you are genuinely concerned about job retaliation, and that can be a legitimate concern, make an anonymous report to a corporate hotline if one is available, or a state ombudsman, or both.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Report it. Don't think twice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I did report something like this, not nearly as bad. I did end up being bullied out of the job due to retaliation. I did end up with a far superior job shortly there after. I would do it again in a second. Perhaps it's time for you to take a serious look at your morals and values

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

To not report it makes you complicit and criminal.

Criminal or "sour grapes"? "A rub"? Competition for a job?????

wow. What if that elder was YOUR LOVED ONE????

Really ----you think there is a choice???

I worry about YOU and your ethics frankly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis.

A large male nurse I worked with some years back was being very rough with a little old lady right in front of me and another RN. I told him to stop and he did. We both reported him in about 10 minutes and 10 minutes later he didn't have a job.

I question your morals and ethics if you keep this to yourself.

Shame on you and the other witness!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nope, this is NOT a homework assignment and no, I have no concern about my career - nor my ethics. He will be reported. The patients need protection. My question has more to do with being taken dispassionately and seriously. The male nurse quickly laid groundwork for a defense after the incident, saying that the patient had swung at him. That is most certainly not the truth. But when I bring this forward to the manager, I worry that it will be a case of "he said, she said". And in the end, because it can be argued that I have an "axe to grind", I shall be totally discounted and nothing further will be done to rectify the situation. And how will that affect potential reporters of future incidences? I am glad for those of you whose world is so black and white. Mine is full of gray...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That nurse fell through the cracks. Maybe they should work at a prison or find another profession. The nurse was still unprofessional and has some type of temper.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

New account created just for this. My suspicions are raised. That it is even a QUESTION that the OP has to ask has my stink-o-meter off the charts. This is sad

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

"Being take dispassionately"? Really?

My hinky meter is going off with this post. Something ain't right

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Your ethics are, at the least, rather questionable that you worry about how you will "appear" when doing the right and lawful thing--- to report this nurse. I am not sure this story is the truth, either. It stinks and is very "hinky". There IS no gray in this issue, if it's true. It's cut and dry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).

I cannot get over this! 'Should I report someone grabbing the throat of an elder and cursing at them'. WOW. Blows everything I have seen out of the water. smh. This abuse is not minor , it is MAJOR. Even if you 'think' administration would consider it self serving, why on earth would you make up something that bad? I would be running in the office. And the more days you let go by, the worse it will get.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology (Prior: Ortho-Neuro, Metabolic Surgery).

Definitely report it. You are a mandatory reporter and you could potentially lose your license if you can be seen as protecting this other nurse's abuse. If you are worried that it won't be taken seriously because you're competing for the same job, maybe withdraw your application/interest in that job to show that this isn't related to that at all. Both options stink and it isn't right that you can lose out on an opportunity because of another's misconduct.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion