We all hear about false allegations. But like myself we rarely ever think about them or where they could lead. Well just this past month, a male nurse colleague of mine, received an order to collect U/A on a red with dementia. As he was going in the room to do the procedure the weekend RN said, let me come with you just in case and she did.
The resident was mildly sedated, Urine specimen was collected, everything fine.
Next day, resident was going around claiming he had raped her.
He was so shook, but luckily he had a witness and the senseless allegation went nowhere.
What if he hadn't had a witness that day?
What if the police would have got involved?
Charges would have been filed?
I have been told that in some states accusations and charges alone are enough for a nursing license to be revoked, despite the result of proceedings. Never mind innocent until proven guilty, that's out the window.
How can male nurses truly defend ourselves when it comes to being caught up in false allegations, when the system won't even give some accused the chance to even defend themselves or their license in some circumstances. Just something to think about in day to day nursing practice, where we are so vulnerable.
This incident has surely changed my co workers awareness and mine as well. In a split second , could you really lose everything you've worked hard for, by a resident/patient with dementia interpreting a catheter insertion as a rape ? Or peri care as unwanted touching or contact. It's a scary thought how vulnerable we are.
