Nurse who appeared on Dr. Phil suspended

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 8, 2005

We wouldn't have known anything if they hadn't have gone on TV, however. If someone wants to go public with their dirty laundry, well each to his own. But then don't complain that everyone is talking about it, that's what I say.

That is not what I am voicing my problem is. I am saying, it's a shame we don't get all the facts on these 60-minute problem-solving programs like Dr. Phil or Oprah. People take what they see on TV way too literally and rarely do we have the whole story. And like I said, imagine the courage it takes to do this on national tv. I have to at least give them their props for trying in the face of what is a lot of hostile and quick judgement. That is more than I could do---just seeing what happens here is enough to convince me I am not that strong. :uhoh3:

Mystery5 · Jun 8, 2005

just seeing what happens here is enough to convince me I am not that strong.

You should see another forum I used to post on. This is tame compared to that one!:chuckle It was a religious one too. :rolleyes:

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 8, 2005

rofl i bet.

Mysister · Jun 8, 2005

I can't say how the nurse who beat her husband came to be on the show, but in my sister's case, she didn't really start out with that intent. She contacted the show with some questions about her son's behavour and was called by a producer. She confided about her drug problem and then the whole thing just spiralled until she found herself in rehab. Part of why she agreed to it (and they called many times before she finally agreed) was that she had so much fear for her kids. Also the kind of help they were offering was beyond her means. (And she had tried MANY times to get help on her own.) They were also stressing over and over again that the show would help so many others who would see themselves and get help.

I'm not trying to justify her behavour or going on TV, just trying to explain a little. Also, she had no control whatsoever on how it was edited. Her husband says that while it was accurate, it was also edited to be as dramatic as possible.

pricklypear · Jun 8, 2005

I'm not trying to justify her behavour or going on TV, just trying to explain a little. Also, she had no control whatsoever on how it was edited. Her husband says that while it was accurate, it was also edited to be as dramatic as possible.

Well, I think it will have benefits for her, and others who know they are seriously addicted. She knows all eyes will be on her from now on, that might help keep her clean. And the public...well, someone might see how involved her addiction is, and think - if SHE can do it, so can I. So often, it takes something over-the-top to convince people they need help.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jun 8, 2005

I'm surprised it took so long.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jun 8, 2005

I'm not trying to justify her behavour or going on TV, just trying to explain a little. Also, she had no control whatsoever on how it was edited. Her husband says that while it was accurate, it was also edited to be as dramatic as possible.

This is the risk taken when one chooses to appear on national television.

LydiaNN · Jun 8, 2005

This is the risk taken when one chooses to appear on national television.

I agree. I form opinions on all the shows I invest my time in watching. I guess I can understand why they might choose to agree to such a scheme if it will mean getting help that they can't get otherwise. OTOH, it would be very unrealistic of them to express any surprise that they've got America talking.

ERNurse752, RN · Jun 8, 2005

The thing is, if my grandma were in that nursing home and I watched that show, it might make me wonder about the care grandma was getting by that nurse. The public is already a bit paranoid about nursing homes. Maybe the nursing home needs to make a policy about public appearances that might hurt the image of the facility. To punish someone retroactively isn't fair though.
I heard that runaway bride was a nurse. I wonder if her escapade has affected her at all, workwise?

I agree that the nursing home has a responsibility to protect its residents. The woman on the show really beat the you-know-what out of her husband many times...and like you said, if that was your grandma in her care, it would be a major concern, and a major lawsuit if she were also abusing patients and they didn't take any action.

The runaway bride, I think, was an MA...I saw the nurse thing once, but everything else I read said she was an MA or a "medical worker."

dekatn · Jun 8, 2005

I guess what bothers me so much about the nurse that works in a NH, is the fact that she apparently has such an out of control anger management problem. The focus of the show of course was on the spouse, but all of us that work in NH know that there are pt. that will push every button you have, and then some, at times. There is always the possibility that one of the pt. could trigger one of her hot buttons and off she would go. I understand that had she not chosen to air this in public, no one at work would ever have known, and therefore nothing could or would be done about what she might or might not do on her private time, but the fact of the matter is, she did choose to air it, and it is public knowledge at this time that she has these very abusive behaviors. My heart goes out to her and her family and I sincerely hope they get the help they need, but I can't help but think about the pt. also. I know we all work with people that we have absolutely no clue about their private life and so be it, there is nothing we can or should do about that, but, this nurses' life is no longer private. I just think that any time there is a potential for danger to a pt. or another person, that action must be taken to protect everyone involved. Just my opinion.

fergus51 · Jun 8, 2005

I think the NH is completely justified in suspending her. Would you want such a violent person looking after your mother or grandmother? I don't care how edited tv is, she was beating the crap out of another human being. Period. No one who is that vicious needs to be working with vulnerable people. Call me judgemental if you want, I think it's just common sense.

pricklypear · Jun 8, 2005

IMO, that woman commited 1) aggravated assault 2) attempted murder when she beat him with the bottle. If it had been the other way around, with her being the drunk, and her husband tossing her around, slapping her, slamming her head on the floor while she was unconcious, and beating her with a bottle, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. He would be in jail by the time the producers saw the tapes. Why isn't she?