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?

[Kllove29]

Wow, this needs to be reported. Its not right and its abuse!

[kayern]

You have an ethical obligation to report it and do not do it anonymously, as some posters suggest. Institutions do not take anonymous tips/complaints as serious. That nurse went over the line and assaulted the patient. Not reporting it, makes you just as guilty!

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

Before I disengage from all of you, let me reiterate that I have never said that I was NOT reporting - that is not an option for me nor has it ever been. Reread my comments!

What I was relating was the honest trepidation that I had in disclosing the incident from a position of weakness and how it may ultimately impact other "whistle blowers" in the future if no action was taken in this case. How was the best way to handle the situation? I've looked after the patient's well-being but am I expected to be oblivious to my own?

I created this account because I was looking for dialogue with my peers in a safe, anonymous setting. So the fact that the great majority of you are saying that I am fake and/or unethical, well, shame on you. That simplistic, hasty, censorious mob mentality is EXACTLY what I am concerned may happen to any reporting party - the "snitch" - whether it's myself or those who come after me.

So thank you, I guess, for the foreshadowing taste of things to come. Carry on...

Shame on you for waiting.

Your buttocks should have been straight to the supervisor to report this INSTANTLY.

You are as guilty as the one who committed the assault.

[futurepsychrn, ADN]

I learned to report in CNA class. Alzheimer's Unit in an LTC facility, patient not oriented, tells me during morning ADL's that the other CNA hits her all the time. Went to my instructor, she said not to pay attention to it but I knew that was not the right thing to do, so I went to the Charge RN. She thanked me and said that every report of abuse was taken seriously and investigated, even with someone who had dementia or Alzheimer's. She told me you never know when a glimmer of truth will come out. I'm not sure what action was taken because I finished the class and hightailed it out of there to another job. So yes, always, always, always report!

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

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

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

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!

You have an obligation to report this especially as a human being.

No ands ifs or buts

[ixchel]

I learned to report in CNA class. Alzheimer's Unit in an LTC facility, patient not oriented, tells me during morning ADL's that the other CNA hits her all the time. Went to my instructor, she said not to pay attention to it but I knew that was not the right thing to do, so I went to the Charge RN. She thanked me and said that every report of abuse was taken seriously and investigated, even with someone who had dementia or Alzheimer's. She told me you never know when a glimmer of truth will come out. I'm not sure what action was taken because I finished the class and hightailed it out of there to another job. So yes, always, always, always report!

Wow, what a terrible way for an instructor to respond to that. The INSTRUCTOR needs to be reported for teaching students negligence. Imagine if another student (maybe one young with no real world experience) had been told that, and in her new role in a facility, chose not to report something like that. Wow. That's awful. You did a good thing ignoring that terrible advice!

[LessValuableNinja]

Most states have mandatory reporting requirements. They generally require being reported to the state. If you believe your supervisor isn't doing so, you're still obligated. If you need help finding the appropriate resources, I can help you with that. But I'll be disappointed if you do.

[smartnurse1982]

So?

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

No,but what if the pt doesn't remember it?

It will be 2 witnesses against 1.

[Farawyn]

No,but what if the pt doesn't remember it?

It will be 2 witnesses against 1.

There's a lot of what ifs.

If you don't want to do the right thing, don't. If I saw a patient getting choked by a nurse I wouldn't be posting about what to do days later, that person would have been reported that night.

[Eschell2971, BSN]

Report it to the State. You are not obligated nor mandated to report it to your company for its approval for you to report it to the state.

What you described is a criminal act, just as you would be obligated to report suspected child abuse to the authorities, whether or not you told your boss or whether or not your boss approved or agreed. Elder abuse is s criminal act, too.

Lastly, I am aghast that you seem more concerned about a promotion than doing what's right for the patient. Frankly, with that mindset, I wouldn't want you for a boss or a nurse, especially not for my elderly family members.

[Eschell2971, BSN]

I'm in total standing with you!

Courage-the last of the great values, only few are able to handle it and give honor to its place.