I was slapped by a doctor!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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!

Specializes in Psych.

I think we all expect to be able to go to work everyday without having to wonder whether or not we're going to be slapped in the face that day. Report it immediately. Anybody who goes around slapping people without giving it a second thought is a loose cannon and the hospital needs to take serious measures to deal with him (I think his privileges ought to be revoked).

When you talk to HR tomorrow tell them you want to know exactly what they intend to do about it and when before the end of the day. Don't let them drag this out for days or weeks on end because then they'll start to trivialize it. If you don't like what they tell you, immediately call an employment lawyer. Nobody has to allow themselves to be subjected to workplace violence.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OMG, my blood just boils after reading this. I am SO sorry you had to experience that.

IMO, this is one for the headlines. Physician Slaps Nurse -- and the guy ought to lose his fricking license to work in the U.S.

I don't doubt that many of these docs coming over from different countries have very different ideas as to how women should be treated. This one needs to be made an example of -- or it will continue. We do NOT treat women this way in this country!!!!

PLEASE, file a report -- and keep us all updated.

Hell, I'd file a story with my local newspaper as well.

If it had been me, I'd have gone down the hall screaming ...

I was shaken by the shoulders by a doctor a month or two ago. It wasn't in anger -- more in a sarcastic tone -- but it was still demeaning. I will ALWAYS go to my charge nurse if it ever happens again. My wonderful preceptor just stood there and did nothing .. .yet later told everyone in the unit about it, making me even more embarrased.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Call the cops and file an assault report. Then file a complaint with the hospital for assault and let it be known that this will not be tolerated. Fill out an employee injury report......yes, I know that a pop like that will not result in any after effects physically, but if this messes with your psyche you want the hospital to pay for any counseling you may need.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.

A police report would guarantee action by the hospital. The charge should be battery, nothing less! :eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
At first I thought this may be a cultural misunderstanding...he is from Pakistan, and I thought maybe he felt it wasn't unnormal to behave this way...but still I feel its intolerable!

well, you know what, clueless?

this is AMERICA and we women don't tolerate this bs!!

oh gawd-

i want to smack the crap out of that piece of turd!!

PLEASE, file charges in addition to the report.

men like him need to know that it goes beyond a complaint.

he needs to be held accountable...

and also needs to know that you.just.won't.take.it.

gawd.:angryfire

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Definitely report it to the hospital and insist that they do something serious about it. Also file a police report.

I would take a reasonable settlement if he offered it. You can probably put the money to good use.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

"It wouldn't happen but once!", is what I told my dh who is also an RN. It's one thing for a little old demented Alzheimer's patient to do it, and it's not appreciated then, but the person who laid his hand on you knew better and you should not have to be abused at work by someone like that. Makes me wonder what his wife has to put up with.

Anne, RNC:angryfire

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/OR.

Yes, you should definitely take both internal and external action against him. What a creep. I'd like to see him try that on me...:cool:.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Definitely report it to the hospital and insist that they do something serious about it. Also file a police report.

I would take a reasonable settlement if he offered it. You can probably put the money to good use.

I was thinking this, too. Either the hosp or the doc or both are probably going to offer a settlement. Personally I don't think I would take it if it means agreeing to not press charges. He needs to be charged with a crime, not allowed to buy his way out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Thanks guys for the support. My preceptor had went home at 5 or I would have gone straight to her. This happened around 6 and I got off at about 1930. At first I thought this may be a cultural misunderstanding...he is from Pakistan, and I thought maybe he felt it wasn't unnormal to behave this way...but still I feel its intolerable! Now I'm thinking of all the things I wish I would have said or done and stewing!:angryfire I'll definitely be reporting it.

It sounds like you were really having a bad day. Who was precepting you when your preceptor left at 5 PM? I don't care what part of the world he's from but here in the USA nobody has the right to lay their filthy hands on another individual like that and he needs to realize that or else he can go back to where he's from.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks guys for the support. My preceptor had went home at 5 or I would have gone straight to her. This happened around 6 and I got off at about 1930. At first I thought this may be a cultural misunderstanding...he is from Pakistan, and I thought maybe he felt it wasn't unnormal to behave this way...but still I feel its intolerable! Now I'm thinking of all the things I wish I would have said or done and stewing!:angryfire I'll definitely be reporting it.

Doesn't matter where he's from, if he's practiced in the US for any length of time then he should know that we hold a dim view of slapping anyone, no matter who it is. He needs to learn right quick that slapping someone is unacceptable, and the best way to teach him that is to hit him back with a police report.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey clueless,

Sorry to hear that happened to you... you have received some very good advice from several post today. You should take it!!!

First off that md that put his hands on you has a supervisor; find out who you can talk to about this person, what he did was inexcusible and should be dealt with.(risk management,ethics comm)No matter what the situation is , he has a supervisor just like everyone else:sasq:If he did this to you then chances are this behavior is not new, he's done it to someone else! And don't let anybody there try to talk you out of filing charges, or threaten your job over this matter; you have every right to work without fear of being assulted. If administration acts as if they don't want to do anything about the matter then leave! You are much too valuable to be treated that way. Remember,as the nurse you are the pt's advocate and if you don't speak up for yourself or the pt then you are doing the both of you a great disservice. Keep us abreast of what happens.

Best of luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment