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!

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

Oh He** no. I don't even think so.....File a police report. Go to the medical director, He needs to be suspended also but I doubt that will happen cause he a hospitalist.....Report to medical board. get an attorney. AND Sue he hell out of the hospital if nothing is done to him. I would probably look for another job also.

[SharonH, RN]

Really I have nothing new to add; I just want to add my enthusiastic agreement with everyone here;

Step one: Call the police. Do not wait until you get permission from the job, they won't give it. Instead it, they will try to put you on hold while your complaint makes it way up the food chain. Next they will try to get you to resolve this without any action against the doc whatsoever, trust me I have been in this biz for 20 years. They may even ask you what you did to provoke the confrontation.

Don't worry about losing your job. You don't want to work anywhere that would fire you for trying to protect yourself anyway.

I am extremely disappointed with your preceptor for not encouraging you to make a report immediately. I wonder if this is the first time this jerk has laid hands on anyone? You just make sure it's the last.

[megananne7]

Just so the OP knows, if she reports it to the hospital and it gets swept under the rug (which I suspect), his behavior like this will continue and possible worsen.

Go to the police!

[ScoopsPerson]

I am a new nurse but I am 51 and had a previous life in business. NO WHERE is it allowed for an employee to hit another employee. It is called harrassment and there are laws in place to prevent workplace harrassment (sexual as well as overall harrassment). Report it!! He should be fired!

If you accept such treatment than expect such treatment. If you don't speak up you will continue to be "harrassed".

[GIRN]

Wow! What a huge step you need to take so early in your career. I can tell you that many experienced nurses would be shaken up about how to handle this...weighing their job against an injustice. I feel for you having to deal with this without the confidence of many years of successful nursing behind you. In a perfect world, the police and the hospital would stand behind you and this doctor would be fired and your co-workers would thank you for your courage. The truth is...your world may not be so perfect and from our vantage point, we really don't know how it will be handled.

I agree with all the great advice you've been given here. I would like to think that I would follow it to the letter. But I just want to say that I understand your hesitation to act, not knowing the norm in the nursing world. As you've seen from the responses here...the norm is NOT what that doctor did to you. The hospital may want to hush it up...your job may be nonverbally threatened by your management.... But you did nothing wrong and didn't deserve to be treated that way. If the hospital doesn't stand behind you, that's not a good place to work. I encourage you to speak up so this behavior can't continue with other nurses. I also wish you courage to handle the days ahead! If you take action, you're doing the right thing. If you choose not to press charges, know that we understand that as well. Good luck.

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

First I am so sorry this happened to you. The person who witnessed it should have called security right then and there. And why wasn't your preceptor with you or was someone covering for her? If this guy has a known reputation, I wouldn't be leaving a new grad with him! You need to press charges against him...I'm sure you aren't the first one he has done this to and you won't be the last if you don't stand up to him.

You need to sit down with the witnesses, the UM, the director and your preceptor and you need to write the event down now while it is fresh in you head.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

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!!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I've been in nursing for 20 years. Make your reports to the hospital and the police ASAP. You can be as aggressive as you like, but make the reports, because you will be supporting the NEXT nurse that gets slapped, and needs a witness. Do it to support your future coworkers, and do it because I am almost certain that you will regret it if you don't.

[Nurse Salt]

Two words:

Assault charges!

[Jo Dirt]

If he is that volatile I think he should be reported to the medical board. He could be dangerous to patients.

That almost sounds psycho, what he did.

[Mexarican]

I would of kicked his A$$ royally!! Maybe because i'm a man but there is no way in God's green earth that ANYONE will ever disrespect in such a manner!!! But then again maybe he wouldn't even have done that to me because I am a man...but that is sad!! Just thinking about it causes me distress. Make an example of him...press charges! Take a stand for you and your profession...press charges!!

Mex

[nurseby07]

Nothing new to add, just dying to hear what happens. Please, oh please, call the police.