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!

Specializes in Psych, Ortho, Stroke, and TBI.

To the OP:

Oh heeellll no.

Thankfully, you were more mature than I would have been. I know this is the wrong way to respond, but I would have made that doc eat his own shoe. Then I'd be the one getting sued. WOW.

I'm so sorry that happened to you.

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Specializes in Medical.

What a horrible introduction to nursing for you. As you can see from the strength of response here, that's absolutely atypical and inappropriate behaviour.

The doctor concerned may be known for having a bad temper but part of being a professional is to act in a professional manner, which includes reining in temper not allowing to spill out all over the place. Everyone can have a bad day but it sounds as though this (the yelling and impatience, if not physical violence) is his usual way of acting. If he doesn't have the discipline to do that he should be working in an environment which demands restraint.

Good on the health unit coordinator for backing you up. It's a shame she couldn't take action at the time but she was probably as stunned as you. Good luck with taking it further - please keep us posted.

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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.

I happened upon this post a little late but I see you have some good advice already.

If he is from Pakistan, I would make sure his "welcome to America" moment came in the form of a visit to the city jail.

Take it from a guy who has been a cop for the last 30 years and who has handled dozens of workplace violence cases. The longer you wait, the harder it is for you to prosecute. I suggest you report to work early in the morning and have the police be there with you when you clock on and then proceed with the investigation. You might get away with a 1 day delay because you didn't know what to do and were surprised. The first step is the police report. You don't need anyone's permission to do this. The police might not make a physical arrest at this time, but they will most likely refer it to the prosecutor's office. Cooperate with the prosecutor in every way, and keep after them to let them know you are serious.

In my jurisdiction, this would be an arrestable offense. But legal rules and laws vary from place to place. So, I can't say what will happen in your city.

Workplace safety is not a job perk, it is your right. I doubt the employer supports the doctor's violent behavior, and, since they had no say in what he did, they should have no say in what you do. The ball is in your court, not the employer's.

If you do nothing, nothing will happen. I know from experience that the more aggressively you pursue this matter, the better your results will be. If you just let it go, you will always wish you had done something.

Just speaking from experience.

Sorry this happened to you. Best of luck..

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I happened upon this post a little late but I see you have some good advice already.

If he is from Pakistan, I would make sure his "welcome to America" moment came in the form of a visit to the city jail.

Take it from a guy who has been a cop for the last 30 years and who has handled dozens of workplace violence cases. The longer you wait, the harder it is for you to prosecute. I suggest you report to work early in the morning and have the police be there with you when you clock on and then proceed with the investigation. You might get away with a 1 day delay because you didn't know what to do and were surprised. The first step is the police report. You don't need anyone's permission to do this. The police might not make a physical arrest at this time, but they will most likely refer it to the prosecutor's office. Cooperate with the prosecutor in every way, and keep after them to let them know you are serious.

In my jurisdiction, this would be an arrestable offense. But legal rules and laws vary from place to place. So, I can't say what will happen in your city.

Workplace safety is not a job perk, it is your right. I doubt the employer supports the doctor's violent behavior, and, since they had no say in what he did, they should have no say in what you do. The ball is in your court, not the employer's.

If you do nothing, nothing will happen. I know from experience that the more aggressively you pursue this matter, the better your results will be. If you just let it go, you will always wish you had done something.

Just speaking from experience.

Sorry this happened to you. Best of luck..

Excellent advice!! Thank you, 58flyer.

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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.

First you said it was your fault for not getting the chart. Then it's a "cultural misunderstanding." ABSOLUTELY NOT! Don't make excuses for him. File assault charges, and let him know that it's unacceptable behavior, under any conditions.

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I happened upon this post a little late but I see you have some good advice already.

If he is from Pakistan, I would make sure his "welcome to America" moment came in the form of a visit to the city jail.

Take it from a guy who has been a cop for the last 30 years and who has handled dozens of workplace violence cases. The longer you wait, the harder it is for you to prosecute. I suggest you report to work early in the morning and have the police be there with you when you clock on and then proceed with the investigation. You might get away with a 1 day delay because you didn't know what to do and were surprised. The first step is the police report. You don't need anyone's permission to do this. The police might not make a physical arrest at this time, but they will most likely refer it to the prosecutor's office. Cooperate with the prosecutor in every way, and keep after them to let them know you are serious.

In my jurisdiction, this would be an arrestable offense. But legal rules and laws vary from place to place. So, I can't say what will happen in your city.

Workplace safety is not a job perk, it is your right. I doubt the employer supports the doctor's violent behavior, and, since they had no say in what he did, they should have no say in what you do. The ball is in your court, not the employer's.

If you do nothing, nothing will happen. I know from experience that the more aggressively you pursue this matter, the better your results will be. If you just let it go, you will always wish you had done something.

Just speaking from experience.

Sorry this happened to you. Best of luck..

All excellent advice from someone that obviously knows the drill. THANK YOU!!!

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Here's a primer on assault and battery:

http://www.expertlaw.com/library/personal_injury/assault_battery.html

It will vary a bit by jurisdiction, but not much.

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First of all, I want to let you know that I am sorry that you had this bad experience, and please know that this is absolutely NOT normal, and was NOT your fault in any way. As was already posted; you should report his actions to the hospital board at the very least.

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.
First you said it was your fault for not getting the chart. Then it's a "cultural misunderstanding." ABSOLUTELY NOT! Don't make excuses for him. File assault charges, and let him know that it's unacceptable behavior, under any conditions.

Right on....I totally agree.

Actions and reactions are a choice (unless a person is mentally ill and doesn't know right from wrong).

He chose to slap you. He chose to yell. People have a choice in the way that they behave. Anytime I hear a coworker making mean comments, ignoring someone that obviously needs assistance (and they know it), is "moody", raises their voice, etc., I just remind myself, this person is choosing to act this way. They know it and everyone else does, too.

I don't buy the excuses, especially, "It just happened" or "I didn't realize I was _______", BS.

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Specializes in Psych, Ortho, Stroke, and TBI.
Right on....I totally agree.

Actions and reactions are a choice (unless a person is mentally ill and doesn't know right from wrong).

He chose to slap you. He chose to yell. People have a choice in the way that they behave. Anytime I hear a coworker making mean comments, ignoring someone that obviously needs assistance (and they know it), is "moody", raises their voice, etc., I just remind myself, this person is choosing to act this way. They know it and everyone else does, too.

I don't buy the excuses, especially, "It just happened" or "I didn't realize I was _______", BS.

Agreed. Cultural understanding or not, it's ILLEGAL in the US. And ignorance of the law does not preclude one from it.

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Agreed. Cultural understanding or not, it's ILLEGAL in the US. And ignorance of the law does not preclude one from it.

I'm pretty sure its inappropriate in all cultures slapping a co-worker for doing something wrong.. I couldn't imagine somewhere where this would be accepted.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac Floor.

this was battery, battery, battery! :angryfire please don't let him get away with this! how dare he! if he had even yelled at me, we would have a problem!

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