Nurse who appeared on Dr. Phil suspended

bargainhound, RN · Jun 8, 2005

What can I say. It was a stupid thing for her to do.

The fact the she was a nurse had nothing to do with

her story.

It was definitely bad publicity for the NH.....they

can't have employees with physical abuse problems...

they have to protect their residents and their

reputation.

Definitely not professional behavior on her part.

imenid37 · Jun 8, 2005

I agree w/ you. She was absolutely pummeling her husband when he was passed out drunk and I wouldn't want her caring for another vulnerable person. How sad the whole way around.

ARNPsomeday · Jun 8, 2005

Hopefully some good will come of this. I'm praying she will get enough professional help to stop this behavior, her husband receive treatment, and the children a better living environment.

LydiaNN · Jun 8, 2005

The suspension is probably giving the nursing home time to research their options. Not being an attorney, or knowing the terms of the union contract, it is hard to say that there are actually any grounds for firing here. Maybe if there's a moral turpitude clause or something in the agreement, they'll have grounds to get rid of her. Unless she is actually charged with a crime, though, I wonder if the behavior aired on Dr. Phil is going to be enough justify termination. I'm not saying she doesn't deserve to be fired. The last place someone like her should be working is a nursing home. I am just thinking of how hard it is to can someone where I work or my husband works. As odd as it sounds, I am not sure that having this behavior aired on national television would be enough. If these tendencies didn't sure up in a pre-employment psychological assessment, or weren't discovered during routine follow ups to which all employees were subject, I can honestly imagine HR saying "our hands are tied". I guess because I've heard them say that in some pretty amazing situations (nothing like this one, though). We're not in PA, though.

allnurses Guide · Jun 8, 2005

Their poor kids

Can you just imagine - (actually I can) . . . the place where you are supposed to be safe and loved is actually the opposite.

I hope they don't have custody of the kids - not until they both clean up their lives.

steph

Mystery5 · Jun 8, 2005

I thought Dr Phil was a well respected kind of guy. Don't you think it's rather Jerry Springerish to show a film clip like this on TV? That's very tabloid. :rolleyes:

allnurses Guide · Jun 8, 2005

I thought Dr Phil was a well respected kind of guy. Don't you think it's rather Jerry Springerish to show a film clip like this on TV? That's very tabloid.

I think you make a good point - I have probably only watched a few programs through the years and I have noticed a more "tabloidish" character to the show . . . .

steph

Trauma Columnist · Jun 8, 2005

What would possess this woman to appear on Dr. Phil in the first place? Airing your dirty laundry in public is pretty low class IMHO. However, I bet the ratings were pretty good that day!

Mysister · Jun 8, 2005

What would possess this woman to appear on Dr. Phil in the first place? Airing your dirty laundry in public is pretty low class IMHO. However, I bet the ratings were pretty good that day!

My sister was the nurse that appeared in the primetime special "Escaping Addiction". I would not call her low class. The reason she appeared on the show is kind of a long story, but I will say the the show is putting forth a huge amount of effort to help her and her family.

Please just remember that these are real people.

allnurses Guide · Jun 8, 2005

My sister was the nurse that appeared in the primetime special "Escaping Addiction". I would not call her low class. The reason she appeared on the show is kind of a long story, but I will say the the show is putting forth a huge amount of effort to help her and her family.
Please just remember that these are real people.

I've been thinking about you this morning after seeing this thread. I hope you sister and her husband are getting the help they need and that the kids are doing ok.

steph

Mysister · Jun 8, 2005

I've been thinking about you this morning after seeing this thread. I hope you sister and her husband are getting the help they need and that the kids are doing ok.
She is STILL in rehab (since the beginning of April) and may stay inpatient for 6 more weeks. What an opportunity to get that kind of help for free and not even have to deal with insurance companies! I spoke to her last week for the first time since she left. She sounded MUCH better. Her husband is also in counseling. I have seen the kids a couple of times. They seem much better too. They all still have a long road ahead, however. But so far I am really impressed with how the show has come through on all their promises. They have taped alot more footage for followup show(s), too.