carterr

SO, so sorry for the lack of updates! The meeting was pushed back because of a major incident in the hospital, which I can't go into detail about for privacy reasons, but to say the least its been very very hectic. My talk with mangment went very well. They most definitely did not tell me to get over it. Dr creepy has been fired. He had a similar complaint filed against him about 15 years ago, and was given a warning, had to change departments etc, however I guess he did not learn his lesson. I'm not sure what legal action is going to be taken at the moment, more meetings are coming, but HR and mangement want to ensure that he will have a chance to do this again to any one at any facility. As for the department heads that told me to 'get over it', they have not been in my department recently and I was told that they would 'take care of it'. I'm not sure if they have been fired, if they are on unpaid leave, but i have a another meeting soon where I will find out. As for taking this into my own hands, and getting a lawyer... For now I'm satisfied with how this is being handled. Management and HR have been understanding, and compliant. And to be honest, I love this job and I want to do everything I can to keep it. Though if in the future I know that that is an option. Thank you all for the help. You've all provided me so much comfort and support and I'm so grateful. If there's anything else to tell you I will.

I'm a psychiatric nurse, I assure you I'm not a 'pansy' nor am I incapable of defending myself physically. If this was a man in a bar or on the street I would've used the defense skills I learnt in training to break his fingers if he laid a hand on me. However I don't want any reason I could get in trouble for this. I don't want him to have anything to use against me at all. If my bosses already dismissed this I wouldn't put it past them to call my defense 'assault'. Also I'm 5'3 and weight about 100 pounds, he's probably about a foot taller than me and at least 100 pounds heavier, if I'm aggressive with him and he decides to fight back and no ones around (like in the parking garage), I'd be in serious trouble. Because I've opted to go with someone from HR I'm going to need to wait until Friday.

So this morning as I'm getting out of my car in the parking garage, who do I see but the Dr. As I'm getting out of my car, he puts his hand on my shoulder, and startles me. I'm of course terrified as it's early in the morning and the nearest person is a few rows down, (and to be quite honest I was a little fed up at this point), and I said in a near yell 'Do not touch me.'. Which I have said before, but I have never raised my voice, I'm usually always calm yet assertive. He looked a little surprised for a second, but then laughed and said he'd see me inside. I have a meeting with management tomorrow this time for my hospital not just my department, and if I get another 'Get over it' I'll be sure to mention the lawsuit I'm considering and talk to HR. Thank you for the comments, honestly I've never experienced something like this, and when I was told it wasn't a big deal I started to doubt myself. I'll let you know how it goes!

Ahh I know, but if only I could. Hahaha oh man, I did not think of that. I can't imagine his face...

These comments have definitely confirmed what I thought, that this isn't an overreaction. I'm going to be filing a report tomorrow with my workplace, rather than trying to just speak to the head of my department this time. If not, I'll speak with a hr rep. And my husband definitely knows, he's offered to key his car a few times, which is very tempting...

About a month ago, as I was doing my final check on things and getting ready to head home, one of the drs I regularly work with approached me and asked if i wanted to go out for dinner or drinks sometime. I made a joke about my husband probably not appreciating that and he said 'Maybe another time.'. Fast forward a few weeks, and as I'm walking in in the morning he asks if I'm free that night. I politely decline. It has now been about a month and it has escalated to him putting his arm around my shoulder, to him adjusting the card conveniently over my breast to just today him standing behind me as i was bending over and putting his hands on my hips and pulling me against him. I have told him multiple times now that I'm not interested, and would prefer if our relationship was nothing but professional but every time he dismisses me. My question is, how do I deal with this? I've tried talking to the higher-ups but I was told that I should get over it. This dr has been working here for much longer than me, and is well respected, there is little chance anyone here would take my side over his. Should I do something, or am I over reacting and should just ignore it?

What do you bring with you to work, and what do you carry with you at all times? I'm interested to see what other psych nurses in particular bring, as obviously it requires different things than other specialties. I'm pretty sure there's no other post like this in the psych category, but please link me if there is!

I have to agree with everyone else. I work currently with older teens, and you have to be prepared to deal with all the things that come with their youngness as well as their mental illnesses (Aggressiveness, immaturity, angst, less willing to cooperate etc). Though I do find it to be more hopeful as macfar28 mentioned, early intervention is so important and that's something common in child and adolescent units. You see a lot of people who've been dealing with their diseases for years in the adult ward and that can be disheartening. I also find my unit is better for my size. I'm more on the petite size, and though I did ok when I worked in the adult unit, many of my current patients are closer in size to me which I do prefer.