Question

[icudrips007]

Hello ladies and gentleman,

I have a question/concern. I started a few months ago in the MICU. I have been picking up overtime shifts on both days and nights. A few weeks ago while I was working a day shift, a physician came up to me and said he needed to talk to me about a patient I had. He asked me questions and I insisted I did not have the patient he was talking about. He told me he was head of a specific committee in the hospital and needed my phone number to discuss the patient still. I shook my head no and stated I could only give him my email. I felt uncomfortable and took this to a few of my superiors. I asked if this was normal to ask for my number since he stated he was "head of the committee". They all stated no, and how it was inappropriate. This doctor makes me feel uncomfortable and I have stated that. He heard through the "grapevine" of this and told another another charge nurse if I continue to say he was being inappropriate with me he would take action against me. I don't feel like what I did was wrong since I was just asking if this was normal, even though I believe it was inappropriate. I have learned I will not ask these questions in front of other people since I now know the game of telephone will be played. I took myself off all day shifts because I feel uncomfortable working them now. What are your thoughts and what would you do?

[morte, LPN, LVN]

consult a lawyer.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Report then MD to HR for sexual harassment/being creepy. Let your boss know he is trying (poorly) to come onto you. Don't EVER give any of your personal information to anyone who asks in the hospital. If they want it legitimately they can get it from you in front of Human Resources and your boss.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

He's a bully. He's trying to shut you up because you reported his inappropriate behavior.

Do not avoid day shifts because of him; that tells him you have given him power over you he doesn't deserve. You want to communicate that you have your own power (as evidenced by your report and request for support from your management), but never, ever be alone with him.

Always have another nurse with you if you have to discuss a (real) patient or any other issue. If he tries, remember, you do not owe him the courtesy of privacy. Keep walking until you are in the presence of someone else, then say, "Now, what was it you wanted to ask me?" One more inappropriate remark, say, loudly, "Excuse me? Could you repeat that?" where others can hear you. If he backs off, well, that's the idea, isn't it? And if not, you have witnesses.

[hodgieRN]

If he is asking about a pt that you didn't have, yet still asking for your phone number, then I think it is clear that this is harassment. The fact that he is threatening you with a write up says he wants you to drop it or he doesn't want other people to know that he was trying to get your phone number. I would definitely report this. You better get your side of the story down before he does....and he will. He is in defensive mode now and he will do everything he can to cover himself. If you feel uncomfortable, that is not acceptable in the workplace.

[AuNaturelle]

I think you did the right thing. You approached your superiors and informed them of the situation. They are aware so if he does try to bully you further by taking "action" (which he won't, he's just trying to scare you), you have proof/witnesses.