Our admin is adamant that our last names be visible on our name badges. We've all done the cover-it-up-with-tape thing, but she has us remove the tape. Last night made me really think about this policy.
Had a just released inmate from prison who flipped because he couldn't smoke. He started throwing things and we had to call security. Three of us were holding him down while we waited (and waited) for security. He let loose a string of threats that I will try to tone down...to the effect of 'I'm gonna rape you, you f-ing whores, I'll rape you in your *** and afterward I'll bash your brains in, you'll find out what pain really is...blah blah'...this went on for about five minutes, MUCH more graphic than the above.
Now I for one, have an unusual name--there is only one of me in this town. What else can I do besides go unlisted in the phonebook? He could even look me up by name under Florida's Nursing Board, too I think. I hate to over-react, but I'd hate to be sorry later.
Making the threats that he makes are illegal. They should be documented verbatim and the authorities should be called. He is probably on parole and this may be a parole violation. You should also go to your management. They have an obligation to you, as well. The management is taking a chance by not allowing you to take steps to prevent this person from knowing your last name. If anything happens to you or your co-workers, your hospital and management will be facing a lawsuit. Take the appropriate steps to protect yourself. Even consider obtaining something that you can protect yourself with if he or someone else should try to invade your home and carry out these vicious disgusting and illegal threats. Good luck and don't err on the side of caution. Trust your guts and look out for yourself. If you do not, no one else will.
This is absolutely true. Terroristic threats are illegal and punishable by law.
This type of thing happened to me but not at work. Three of us were verbally threatened when walking thru a park, and our apartment managers contacted the police for us. It went to court. The police were very helpful, and it was taken seriously.
Do some research and present it to your boss. My understanding is that it is the industry standard NOT to have last names on badges for health care workers, at least in acute care. If it were me I'd be looking for another job.
Specializes in ED tech on a resp. therapist adventure.
I work in the ED and we are issued 2 name badges. One badge has only my first name on it and the second has my first and last name on it. This way we can wear the badge with only our first name on it on top and we still have a badge with our full name for when we need it.
elkpark..I don't think urban legend has a thing to do with it. Where I work, we in the ED have badges with our first name and last initial with credentials only. The reason for this is to protect us from stalkers. There have been numerous threats, alot of gangs and most of the time we are walked out with security. There is a reason for all the stalking laws.You never know what can happen, and after it does happen, its too late to change gears for that person.
Why should my last name be available for anyone at all? We don't know the last names of our WalMart checkers, our bank tellers, the ppl at the gas station, etc etc etc. As an above poster said, if a pt has a problem they can go through the appropriate channels and lodge their complaint with my supervisor. And it really isn't too difficult to learn which nurse had which patient - ever hear of signing charts? I just feel like there is way too much for me to lose, and too much liability to have my last name available. If a patient asks, I (for the most part) say we aren't allowed to give them out as a security measure. Because, honestly, WHY DOES ANYONE NEED MY LAST NAME? I do things at work that make people unhappy - refuse pain meds to drug seekers, put psychs in 5 pt restraints, assist with getting psychs admitted, etc. I spend my day helping ppl, why should I put myself in any sort of jeopardy because of that? It really doesn't matter to me if the chances are high or low. It is just a chance I choose not to take.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i've been a psych nurse for >20 years, both in major urban areas working with inmates, etc., and in rural areas where everyone knew exactly who i was and where i lived whether i wore a badge or not. i've always used my last name on my badge (and introduced myself to clients with my last name) -- and i, too, have an unusual last name and am typically the only person by that name in the city -- and have always been listed in the telephone book; and i've never had a problem. i've also never encountered another psych nurse who had actually had personal experience with a client seeking her/him out outside of the workplace. i'm sure it does happen once in a while, but i also believe that the "urban legend" factor plays a big part in people's fears about this.
i'm not a psych nurse -- i'm a critical care nurse. i've always had my last name on my name badge, too. i've had three patients look me up outside the workplace -- one wanted a date, one wanted to take my husband and i fishing in alaska (strange situation) and one (a psych patient) was found hanging out in a tree outside my bedroom window night after night. i called the police, who said they'd get back to me next tuesday (they never did) and finally solved my own problem by borrowing a shotgun from my father and spending an evening cleaning it on my bed. i still have my last name on my badge, but now my phone is listed with mine and my husband's names.
I think the last name thing is just something we focus on that doesn't really mean much. If he really wants to rape you, he knows where you work. He just has to wait and follow you. I've always had my last name on my badge (to me, it just seems unprofessional to not have it).
I agree completely with this advice. This sounds like a serious threat to me- it sounds as if he means it. He knows and says exactly what he means to do, to whom, where, and how. This is not "I'll get you for this," it's a detailed plan.
In your situation, I would probably tell my admin to go ahead and fire me for insubordination, because I would not wear my name badge, period. I would then proceed to get legal representation. You and your co-workers are being put into a position of being unsafe and that is not tolerable.
You might also, among other things, check out the OSHA website to see if there is anything there which can be addressed by them. When OSHA speaks, employers listen!
I also fully agree with letting local law enforcement know exactly what has been said and done. Again, document and keep a copy.
It's worth repeating one more time: look out for yourself. Good luck!
And for what it's worth: I think anyone in administration who thinks people like this guy needs to know your first and last names should be the first person to go introduce himself or herself to the patient and be there first-hand to hear what he has to say!
Thank you Firewolf and Santhony. I am not back at work til Fri, he may be discharged by then. I will look up OSHA, great thinking! You know, for those who think this is over-reacting, it's not just ME I worry about. I have an 18 months old little baby girl at home with me. It's just us two, and I would gladly deal with the pt myself, but if this psychopath were to do anything to my baby...well, there just aren't words....and he HAS asked me if I have any daughters.
Meerkat, I don't think you're overeacting or crazy to be concerned about your safety or that of your family. I just don't think the last name withholding does anything for that. I hope this man is gone when you get back to work.
Thank you Firewolf and Santhony. I am not back at work til Fri, he may be discharged by then. I will look up OSHA, great thinking! You know, for those who think this is over-reacting, it's not just ME I worry about. I have an 18 months old little baby girl at home with me. It's just us two, and I would gladly deal with the pt myself, but if this psychopath were to do anything to my baby...well, there just aren't words....and he HAS asked me if I have any daughters.
Safety first. Anything else is a non-issue. You should never be expected to put yourself or your family's safety on the line just to be politically correct.
santhony44, MSN, RN, NP
1,703 Posts
Here's a link to an OSHA :
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3148/osha3148.html
This is from their website:
Provide staff with identification badges, preferably without last names, to readily verify employment.
Good luck!