I was slapped by a doctor!

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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!

i fear for the psychological effect this new nurse will have to deal with in the future.....it won't be easy. looks like she should be reimbursed for psychological damage, however, you should speak with an attorney to see what he/she will advise. i'm afraid of long term issues that will need to be addressed. maybe the hospital should be forced to pay for psychological treatment to ensure that is no long term damage to the new nurse.

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Nice job, CluelessRN! This was a very difficult situation for any RN, let alone one who's just learning the ropes of nursing. Having a meeting with all the Administrators and the doctor must have been nervewracking but it sounds like you handled yourself very well. The wheels are in motion and I hope the hospital doesn't let you down.

I understand completely about not being comfortable with bringing in the police. (I wouldn't have done that, either.) I know people will disagree with this but I don't think you ever felt you were physically in danger from this jerk...he didn't really hurt you....it was just demeaning and embarrassing. Like you, I wouldn't have felt the need to call in the police for protection. But don't get me wrong....he was absolutely out of line and needs to feel the consequences and I don't think losing his job is too harsh...but I also don't think the police need to be brought into it. He did this in the workplace and the workplace should be the arena that deals with it. There are some excellent pieces of advice here about calling the Medical Board to attach this to his license review and to let the hospital know that you don't ever feel that you could work with him again. If you were to tell the hospital that now, knowing that the hospital has an obligation to offer you a safe work environment, it might come into play when the 'Big Guns' review this. If they had to screen all of his patient's so that you weren't taking care of any of them....that might be too big of a burden for the hospital to bear and they might decide that it's not worth keeping him.

But it doesn't matter what I or anyone else would be doing in this situation. This is completely YOUR job, career, and reputation that you're dealing with. You have to do what's right for you and shouldn't feel a responsibility to save the world. If there are repercussions for you, none of us out here in Allnurses.com will feel them so make sure you yourself feel compelled to take further action. Don't do it cause you feel 'guilted' into it. You've already earned my respect! Good luck and keep us posted!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I agree that the OP deserves our respect for what she has already done. The rest is entirely her choice and I for one would support whatever she does or doesn't do. It is very hard to deal with a situation like this because of our conditioning as women and as nurses. None of us really know for sure what we would do until we have been there. The humiliation is unbelievable, even though we "shouldn't" feel that way.

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Specializes in vascular, med surg, home health , rehab,.

Been reading this thread and following the story. I admit I was shocked, after 23 years, not easy. Ive seen tantrums, verbal abuse that no one complains about or deals with, but an actual slap? Damn. That I wouldn't take. A police complaint, I don't know, be interested as to what the cops would say, or an attorney. Does no one here know one? I pity this poor nurse dealing with this nonsense and applaud here for her actions so far. As I hope all of these responses should make crystal clear to her, this is NEVER OK. You do not, should never tolerate this crap from anybody. The title MD is not a free pass to be a jerk, an abusive jerk at that. Hell no. Hope the op will keep us posted after Friday, wouldnt hurt to investigate what the police have to say or an attorney. Knowledge is power. Whether she chooses to use the info is entirely up to her, but knowing her options can't hurt.

To the OP, I am sorry this happened, stand firm and I hope that the posts here give you support and comfort.

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GIRN,

Well said!

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There are eight pages of replies to your original post, so this has probably been said before, but for what it's worth....

HELL no, it's not normal! You "think" you're going to file a complaint?!?

Ok, if I were you: Step one, I'd have called security to get that man removed. While they were deciding what to do, I'd be on the phone to the police, to have THEM remove him from the premises. I'd get a restraining order. And, by the way, it's not YOU that would have to be out of work while this was being settled, it's HIM. He is the batterer, period. He attacked you in your place of employment, and you are entitled to a safe place to work. He'd be GONE; my mouth would make SURE of that.

Next step: Follow through with personnel. Let them know that you suffered an assault while on the job. File whatever paperwork they want, but you're getting it on record that YOU were ATTACKED.

And last: Follow through it ALL. No brushoffs from management. Make the court dates, and get legal counsel.

I realize I tend to be a bit hot on stuff like this, but you know what? I'd OWN that man so badly that his KIDS would be calling *ME* Mom!!

:yeah:

I just can't believe this......:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire

mc3:angryfire

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Yea, i woulda pressed charges, right after they admitted his a$$ in ICU!!:angryfire

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Can you say restraining order and battery charges???? The man needs to be out of the hospital setting if he cannot handle people or stress. OUT of a job, out of a license and off the streets. DO NOT PASS GO DO NOT COLLECT $200.00!

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
That is battery.

Dang I would have his ummm errrrrrrrrrrrrrr little thingies on the chopping block :devil:

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic Transplant Telemetry.

Please give us an update! I have been waiting anxiously for the results of this whole mess. I am only worried that in the end that they will tell you that he has been disciplined and that the results of the investigation are confidential. I know that some of us have been a little harsh with you, but please, please let us know what happens!

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I've been anxious to hear what happened too. I fear his paid leave of absence will be the end of it but would love to be pleasantly surprised and read further action has been taken. Hope you are hanging in there.

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I too would like to know what happened. Hang tough and many blessings your way.

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