I saw another nurse assault a patient

[morman]

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?

[Farawyn]

I have a question for everyone.

Say the OP reports the abuse,and also says Witness 2 also saw it.

What happens if Witness 2 denies it?

So?

Does that change the fact that the coworker choked a patient?

[brido]

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...

Nobody's world is black and white. However, there are some situations that are black and white and THIS is one of them.

[brido]

I just wanted to point out that recent studies have shown that children from strongly religious families -- either Christian or Muslim -- are LESS likely to be altruistic than children from families who don't identify as religious.

Doing the right thing has very little to do with a faith system. And while your faith system may be very important to you, please keep it out of threads that aren't on the religion forum.

I'm an atheist and I think your post is out of line. Why can't someone discuss their faith on a non-religious forum? Why is that so offensive? Did toomuchbaloney try to force it on anyone else? No, so move on. He shared how this particular topic affects him, just like everyone else.

Sometimes I think you just look for arguments.

[Libby1987]

I have a question for everyone.

Say the OP reports the abuse,and also says Witness 2 also saw it.

What happens if Witness 2 denies it?

It's irrelevant to reporting. OP considers him/herself eligible for a promotion and has his/her reputation, credibility and backbone to support the allegation.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I have a question for everyone.

Say the OP reports the abuse,and also says Witness 2 also saw it.

What happens if Witness 2 denies it?

Then Witness 2 is in the wrong.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I look forward to seeing how this pans out

[toomuchbaloney]

I just wanted to point out that recent studies have shown that children from strongly religious families -- either Christian or Muslim -- are LESS likely to be altruistic than children from families who don't identify as religious.

Doing the right thing has very little to do with a faith system. And while your faith system may be very important to you, please keep it out of threads that aren't on the religion forum.

Pardon me, but I may answer with mention of my faith if I prefer. If that offends you, my apologies, however, you have no right to dictate how I respond on topic.

Further, having read that particular study, I believe that it is important that people like myself make a point of modeling correct Christian compassion and empathy for children and associates in effort to reverse the trends of secular christianity in the USA which worship power, money, and prosperity rather than Jesus.

Now back to our regular programming on physical assault and reporting of same.

[Kiki1970]

You have an ethical, legal and moral responsibility to report this and especially as a Christian. What's wrong with you?? Why didn't you speak up right then and there? Elder abuse is an especially heinous crime and if I were that patient or family member, I'd have your license and your head!! His too!!

I wouldn't worry about a promotion if I were you... I worry if I'm cut out being a nurse. Period. Shame on you!

[Farawyn]

You have an ethical, legal and moral responsibility to report this and especially as a Christian. What's wrong with you?? Why didn't you speak up right then and there? Elder abuse is an especially heinous crime and if I were that patient or family member, I'd have your license and your head!! His too!!

I wouldn't worry about a promotion if I were you... I worry if I'm cut out being a nurse. Period. Shame on you!

See, but now, this "especially as a Christian" bugs me.

Howzabout "especially as a human being"?

Thanks, I agree with the rest of your post.

[ixchel]

See, but now, this "especially as a Christian" bugs me.

Howzabout "especially as a human being"?

Thanks, I agree with the rest of your post.

I think her intention was to excuse we heathenish atheists from not reporting this because, after all, we have dirty, dirty rotten souls.

[Kiki1970]

Oh stop it! It sounds like you're detracting away from the real issue here; abuse! If the poster threw it in, then yeah, I'm going to call her/him out! You can interchange it to whatever heathen or non heathen religion fits the post if it bothers you that much. Not my problem.

I'd like to think it's common sense for it to be "because she's a human being", but the OP may not consider themselves as one since they've used every excuse not to report abuse. Which by the way is LAW. Plain and simple.

[Farawyn]

Oh stop it! It sounds like you're detracting away from the real issue here; abuse! If the poster threw it in, then yeah, I'm going to call her/him out! You can interchange it to whatever heathen or non heathen religion fits the post if it bothers you that much. Not my problem.

I'd like to think it's common sense for it to be "because she's a human being", but the OP may not consider themselves as one since they've used every excuse not to report abuse. Which by the way is LAW. Plain and simple.

No, you stop it. Being a Christian is not the issue. The OP has a responsibility to the patient to report. Period.

TMB speaking about his own values is different than your blanket statement.

By the way, we agree on the action that should be taken, but the reason why it should be taken is not due to any religious reason. Unless it is part of your own fabric, which is cool.