So I was out with my girlfriend and I get a call from my sister explaining to me that someone had called my house asking for me. She said that the person said he was a patient of mine and wanted to talk to me about how he was doing etc. They told my sister and I quote "I found you number on the internet, you know you can find alot of stuff on the internet" Ahem...***** Well i nearly drove off the road, started yelling and screaming using some of the most colorful words i could conjure up at the moment. Not only is that extremely weird, but in my book, this classifies itself as stalking. I guess I also need to say that this person went to high school with me, and by with i mean I never was friends with this kid, never talked a single word to him at all, holy crap...i didn't even think the kid spoke! So 2 days ago I'm watching TV with my dad and the phone rings, we have caller ID that pops up on the TV when its on and I freaked out and I said DO NOT PICK THAT *#$@^#@ PHONE UP!!, of course its th Sis person calling again. I really didn't think the person would call back but he did and now I'm legit like freaked out about it. The kid not only has a laundry list of medical problems for which i don't give a hoot to talk to him about, but he also has mental problems, WHICH i might add he felt the need to talk to my sister about for 20 minutes the first time he called. So today when everyone in my family was around I said listen, if this number pops up, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES pick it up or I'll shove the phone so far up all of your ***** i'll make it come out your mouth. Of course my mother the pacifist is like well why dont you talk to him he probably does not have any friends. I said are you out of your mind ?!?! The phone call itself crosses so many boundaries in medicine/nursing that I cant even begin to tell you, not to mention the fact that it stalking! And of course my mother still wants me to be nice and I'm yelling by this point about how my philosophy is "Once a patient, ALWAYS a patient" and finally my father steps in agrees with me. Now here's where Im looking for advice...Im not sure if i should tell the hospital I work at or not..it doesn't seem like a hospital issue but I honestly don't have enough experience to know if thats the right thing to do, something tells me I should but like i said I'm not sure? So I'm willing to take any advice you might have...And on a funny note..i call optimum to ask if there is a way to block nuisance callers and she tells me, oh that feature was supposed to be out at the beginning of may but it's due to release in the first week of june...lol
What right do they have to my last name? My badge doesn't even have my last name on it.
A person has the right to know who is performing intimate procedures on them, who has access to their sensitive, private information, whose care may save or take their life. The least you can do is give your name.
I do think you should answer the phone and set him straight in a firm but polite way. Sounds like he's desperate more than a danger. No need to go off just say you can't provide any assistance, to pls not call again, and direct him back to his doctor's office. If he starts again say pls call your doctor, goodbye and hang up. Don't sway from this.
A person has the right to know who is performing intimate procedures on them, who has access to their sensitive, private information, whose care may save or take their life. The least you can do is give your name.
The local hospitals don't require I give anything more than my first name and last initial (which is what is on everyone's badge)....so that's all the information I give.
There's no law or policy that requires me to share more.....maybe there is in your state.
baha yes i did, I love how people automatically assume I'm a female and I'm not..ahhh the stereotypes of the nursing profression...wait i bet you think i might be possibly gay or not smart enough to get into medical school to? bahahah lol
Dunce! Where in my post did you see yourself being referred to as female?The joke's on you.Who's stereotyping females now as being meek>
Is that what it is?Only the not-so-smart ones get into nursing school?
Is this even a big deal? You freaked out for nothing dude. Just tell the person you are uncomfortable that she is calling your number. If she is normal she'd stop calling. If she calls again, just block or ignore. She'd eventually give up. Duh. No need to report unless she becomes a threat to your life, finances, etc. No big deal for me. And come on...you are MALE and you freak out for nothing. I find your reaction over the top and weird actually, not the other way around. If you badmouth like that in your home for nothing, I'd be ****** if you are my nurse.
How on earth did they continue to get your cell number? Cell numbers aren't published in phone directories.
Good question. I have a good idea but nobody gives it credence, particularly the employer I had when this started. The employer got rid of me. After all, in the eyes of the employer, I was the problem, not the person stalking me.
I once had that happen to me, they found me of facebook...I ignored their request. They sent me an email questioning why I did not accept them as friend...I told them that it is my place to be me, only a few selected people are on my facebook. I need to keep my privacy and need a place to be not the nurse...I NEED TO BE HUMAN.....never heard from them again!
Another time it was calling me at work, then because I'm hospice, I drive, so they found my car and followed me...multiple times, got a hold of my cell number, then HE decided to call me while He was following me...creepy Heck yes. I told him..are you following me? He said yes, so I looked in my rear view, there he was, I proceeded to the Police Station, as soon as I drove up to the gate where the cops go in and Honked my horn loudly, he took off. I told my DON what had happened, She called him and told him a thing or two, He stopped. I also reported Him to the Police, they told me I did the right thing by going to them. The one negative thing is that this man is also a Police Officer, so He can find me anywhere anytime he wants to. The Chief of Police at that Station told me He would have a talk with His commander and have it stopped. I told him how creepy it made me feel, he agreed. I have not heard or seen of him yet, that has been almost 9 months. I was really freaked out by what had happened and placed a call to the cell phone company and made sure that my tracking devise was turned on so if something happened I could be found, plus My Husband made me call Him with the details of where I was all the time until He and I felt comfortable and safe again.
Nursing...why is it so dangerous? It is supposed to be safe right?????
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
good question. i have a good idea but nobody gives it credence, particularly the employer i had when this started. the employer got rid of me. after all, in the eyes of the employer, i was the problem, not the person stalking me.
so how do you think they got his cell number?
i've been stalked as well -- before the era of cell phones. it was not a pleasant experience. i'd be all for nipping this one in the bud. just answer, tell the person that you cannot give them any medical advice and that it's not appropriate for you to have a personal friendship with them given that you've had a professional relationship. and then repeat as necessary. if this is still going on after a couple of weeks -- and it probably won't be -- then you can escalate.
You can get some cell phone number owner information. You just can't get it for free. It might cost you a few dollars and it's not nearly as reliable as a landline phone number search.
I find it very hard to believe , shocking, and sad that a grown and educated man would react like this. Get some balls and tell the pt. To stop calling or else you will get the police involved.
I'm sure the op can do this in a decent and professional way.
And if idropped the f bomb in front of my mom or dad I would get knocked into the middle of next week.
I can see why others thoght you were a female... its because you are acting like one, actually worse.
SharonH, RN
2,144 Posts
A person has the right to know who is performing intimate procedures on them, who has access to their sensitive, private information, whose care may save or take their life. The least you can do is give your name.