I was slapped by a doctor!

[cluelessRN81]

I honestly can't believe it myself! I just graduated from my program on May 16 of last month. I am still in orientation at a large level 1 trauma center on a busy cardiac care unit. The hospitalist is known for having a horrible temper anyway. Well, he was on a roll all shift today. One of my pts BP was all over the place all day. It became very low suddenly. I told my preceptor (still on orientation) and she said to have the MD paged. He was not happy and screamed at me over the phone. I braced myself for when he got to the floor, already getting very nervous. Well, he came up fit to be tied. He slammed the papers he was holding onto the nurses station where I was standing with the health unit coordinator. I forgot to get the pts chart out for him to look at (as he requested on the phone...my fault i know ). He asked for the chart and I said...hold on I'll have to get it for you. He turned bright red and said harshly (but not screaming) "You paged me and you're not even ready!".

And then thats when it happened -- he took his hand and hit my cheek. Now, it wasn't some soap-opera backhand where I went flying across the room or anything..but a little pop. Kinda like what a mom would do to a small child if they said a bad word or something. I was so shocked I couldn't even say anything. I just handed him the chart and he want to the pts room. The whole time I was fighting back tears. The HUC and I just exchanged looks of shock with each other! I think I am going to file a complaint tomorrow against him...and the HUC said she will back me up since she was the only one who witnessed this. I had no idea that doctors behaved this way..is this normal?? To say the least I'm dreading going back in on Wednesday. I had heard some doctor horror stories..but nothing like this -- what I consider to be assault. Am I overreacting? I don't want to be seen as a drama queen or a trouble maker being on the floor only 2 weeks in this unit . Ugh!

[lvnandmomx3]

Hey guys. Thanks so much for all your support and words of advice and encouragement. I had a meeting early today at the hospital. Present were the DON, my preceptor, the unit manager, the HUC, the medical director and the physician. I filed an official complaint and the HUC has corraborated my story. I didn't file a police report -- I don't know...I've never done that and felt so weird about going that far. I just want to keep my job, keep learning, and get this all behind me. During the meeting, the doctor said he was only "joking around" with me...I couldn't believe that:no:. He did admit to hitting my face, though. Anyways, the good news is that the hospital has officially put him on "administrative leave"...the bad news -- with pay! An official decision will be reached about what to do with him on Friday when the Board of Governors of the hosptial will meet. While it's not ideal, at least its something -- and neither I nor anyone else will have to worry about working with him! Hopefully he'll get the boot altogether.

I am glad to see that justice is being served, so many time the Dr.'s get away with the way they treat all those below them. Atleast "administrative leave" may open his eyes and he will see that what he did was wrong. I am glas the HUC stood by you and seems that the hospital did too. SO many times issues like this are just swept under the rug because administration is 1. afraid to step on the Dr.'s toes. 2. Fear that if they loose the Dr. they will loose clients and possibly other Dr.'s.

[BlueEyedRN]

I really think you need to stress the sexual harassment angle of this, because this is absolutely sexual harassment.

Oh, come on. It's not like he said, "You like that baby?" afterwards.

This doctor went over the line, no question. But it isn't up to all of you to decide what that line is when this didn't happen to you, and if she thinks the situation doesn't need police intervention, then it doesn't. It's easy to talk big on a forum, but in accusing the OP of being a wimp and not standing up for herself is going too far. She did stand up for herself and didn't let this guy intimidate her. There is some bullying behavior going on in this thread when you should be congratulating her for dealing with a difficult situation with maturity and strength.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

hate to say this, but most likely her position is in jeopardy no matter what she does. no, i take that back, if she makes this public, her position is probably more secure. the way management and administration usually handle things like this is to make her disappear for cause [contrived] after a period of making her feel safe and secure. she is a liability for them just by being a victim. nd, i will bet that this is not the first time this is happened. it is probably an ongoing problem that needs to be stopped.

agree 100% (sadly).

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Hey guys. Thanks so much for all your support and words of advice and encouragement. I had a meeting early today at the hospital. Present were the DON, my preceptor, the unit manager, the HUC, the medical director and the physician. I filed an official complaint and the HUC has corraborated my story. I didn't file a police report -- I don't know...I've never done that and felt so weird about going that far. I just want to keep my job, keep learning, and get this all behind me. During the meeting, the doctor said he was only "joking around" with me...I couldn't believe that:no:. He did admit to hitting my face, though. Anyways, the good news is that the hospital has officially put him on "administrative leave"...the bad news -- with pay! An official decision will be reached about what to do with him on Friday when the Board of Governors of the hosptial will meet. While it's not ideal, at least its something -- and neither I nor anyone else will have to worry about working with him! Hopefully he'll get the boot altogether.

I'm glad to hear that you made the complaint. It sounds like they are taking it seriously. Good luck with everything.

[Batman24]

I can understand the frustration about the police not being called. It isn't meant to be harsh towards the OP because she has the support of all of us. I think most of us fear the doc got a paid few days off and will be back like nothing happened. We wanted the police report so that outside action could be taken against him and also keep the OP safe in the workplace. My guess is nothing further happens to him and they will chalk it up to a joke gone awry. I pray I am wrong.

I would keep a copy of the report you made. I would also get in writing what actions transpire from here on out so you have a paper trail.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

I've read through most of the thread, so forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but I truly believe you ought to report this to the police.

Our hospital has, as a lot of hospitals do -- security cameras in the public areas. There may very well be that "silent witness" the the police can get a record of, but your hospital will surely try to keep invisible.

I agree, administrative leave with pay is not a punishment, nor is it a deterrant to abusive types like this. But trust me on this -- I only got yelled at a few times by docs and it made me a wreck just thinking about having to call them in a patient emergency.

If you think that you could call this doc and forget about this incident forever, and not have it frighten you for years afterwards, then just let it go.

If, on the other hand, you are feeling nervous about seeing this doc again and having to deal with him on a professional level, you might be better off filing that police report. Because chances are that he'll be back. But also bear in mind, that chances are, without some form of intervention, he will not change.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

A charge of battery based on a slap that left no physical injury is a waste of the police's time.

She's got his - and the hospital PTB - full attention.

He won't do this again.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

A charge of battery based on a slap that left no physical injury is a waste of the police's time.

She's got his - and the hospital PTB - full attention.

He won't do this again.

A lot of crimes against women were considered just that, Sue. Society taught women to avoid speaking out when they were abused. Result: the abuse continues.

You think that he won't do this again?

I disagree. Abusers have a cycle of violence. He'll cool down for awhile, then one day, wham. Someone else will get it. Except she'll get it a little bit harder and he'll be a little more arrogant in his "apology."

[mscsrjhm]

I agree that the OP is a victim and the actions of the physician are intolerable, but thinking back 17 years, I wouldn't have felt comfortable calling the police either. but now I wouldn't think twice. If I knew then what I know now... Just my opinion.

Anne:twocents:

I agree. Life experiences have taught many of us. Some of us would know how to calmly demand that the police be called- while letting admin know that a report would be in everyone's best interest. And I know that a police report would put a big speed bump in any effort to sweep myself, and the incident under the carpet.

However, many many (manymanymany) decades ago- I would have anxiously looked toward authority for guidance, and wholeheartedly believed that they would take care of the problem.

I again encourage the OP to consult an attorney. Just a consult. No one has to know.

If you want to cooperate with the facility- fine, some admin are not all evil, but you can do that with an attorney watching out for you. Without protection, your days could be numbered- why take the chance?

Please keep us informed.

[Batman24]

II again encourage the OP to consult an attorney. Just a consult. No one has to know. If you want to cooperate with the facility- fine, some admin are not all evil, but you can do that with an attorney watching out for you. Without protection, your days could be numbered- why take the chance?

Please keep us informed.

I like this idea. Just give a call to an attorney and see what they have to say about the situation. This could protect you in the future.

[mscsrjhm]

A charge of battery based on a slap that left no physical injury is a waste of the police's time.

She's got his - and the hospital PTB - full attention.

He won't do this again.

I don't understand. Is there a degree of slapping that qualifies as an assault? Is it okay to be violent with another person, as long as there is no physical injury?

Not sure I trust your confidence that a person of high authority, at his place of employment, while on duty, who made a conscious decision to use violence against a young, naive subordinate female- "won't do this again".

Has this been your experience? Just wondering where you are coming from.?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I don't understand. Is there a degree of slapping that qualifies as an assault? Is it okay to be violent with another person, as long as there is no physical injury?

Not sure I trust your confidence that a person of high authority, at his place of employment, while on duty, who made a conscious decision to use violence against a young, naive subordinate female- "won't do this again".

Has this been your experience? Just wondering where you are coming from.?

First of all, assault is verbal. Battery is physical.

My point is simply that, yes, there are more compelling cases on which to expend police resources.

Nowhere have I condoned what he did, nor do I think it is acceptable. However, he now knows that there are limitations to his self-decreed Godhood and, given the the hospital has suspended him yes, I think that he will learn from this.

And I believe that there are differences in crimes. A light slap is not the same as beating her bloody. While neither is acceptable, one is clearly worse.