Rate of sexual harassment occurrences at a hospital?

[lis4b]

Hello!

I have a fairly loaded question that I'm hoping will receive helpful and realistic feedback from a variety of experienced nurses. I have recently been accepted to an RN program in St. Pete, FL and though I'm really excited, I have some concerns about the workplace environment for someone such as myself.

I'm a 25 yr old recently engaged female that likes to take care of herself. My fiance works as an AA (anesthesiologist assistant) at a hospital and has been working for 3 years at the same hospital and told me about the amount of sexual harassment that occurs especially towards new young women such as myself, regardless of whether they're married or not. He tells me that there is little anyone can do about it because that's the kind of common behavior (slapping other people's behinds, making forward comments, showing pictures on cellphones of sexual content, etc.) that occurs at all hospitals. Most times, according to him, new young females are powerless against this and if they try to report it, could easily get fired (I suppose if the harasser is of a higher authoritative position). I have no idea about this kind of environment, I'm just starting out, I know that I'm a mature person that doesn't put up with nonsense such as this.

So what I'm asking all of the nurses out there is, in your experience, has there been a high rate of sexual harassment among coworkers in your workplace? Are there effective protocols to report this? Is there a REALISTIC way for someone such as myself to avoid becoming a victim of this? Thanks!

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

...He tells me that there is little anyone can do about it because that's the kind of common behavior (slapping other people's behinds, making forward comments, showing pictures on cellphones of sexual content, etc.) that occurs at all hospitals. ...

I don't know where he works, but I haven't had to put up with that from coworkers. Drug seekers, yes. (They're either trying to butter you up for narcotics or they really think they're a great catch.)

But then again, maybe I'm too ugly to have to deal with all the behind slapping and sexts that is apparently happening rampantly .. anyone else have any input?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I've worked in 3 different hospitals and have never experienced nor seen the environment your fiance describes.

What I do note in your post, however, is a sense of powerlessness and a preoccupation with youth/physical appearance. If your prior life/employment exerience is limited, have you considered your own professional demeanor? Conflict and balance of power in the workplace encompasses far more than isolated instances of sexual harassment. How will you handle conflicting personalities/priorities/opinions in the workplace? How will you present yourself professionally so that you are not targeted as someone unable to defend her own respected place in the work environment, her own assessments, judgements, and clinical decisions?

[monkeybug]

I never experienced anything like that, even back when I was young, thin, and cute. I've always worked in L&D, so I've experienced a fair amount of "earthy" joking around, but nothing that ever made me uncomfortable. I have never been touched inappropriately by a coworker or physician. I have had my butt grabbed by a laboring patient's husband, but that was a singular event never to be repeated. If all this is going on in his hospital, maybe it is time for someone to speak up.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Have you considered whether your fiance is not really with you on your plan to be a nurse? Many posts on this forum about that aspect of becoming a nurse. Some guys fear you will meet some fabulous MD (not likely - really not likely!) and that they will be dumped. Or, that you will suddenly make more money? Or, that you will see other men naked? It runs the whole way around the block. We've even had boyfriends/husbands post here about it. It's ridiculous.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I have worked in 6 hospitals (in 6 different states) over the course of my career and have never seen an environment as bad as the one described by your fiance. It seems to me as if you fiance either hangs out with an exceptionally bad group of people (Why does he not do something to improve it?) -- or else he has some ulterior motive for discouraging you from entering the nursing profession.

As a previous poster has said, some men don't want "their women" to become nurses. Could that be the case with your fiance?

[Mas Catoer]

A potential for bringing up sexual content into work circumstances is actually exist. Just like a dormant germs in our body. But it will never come into actual scene if each of us is not in the line of entertaining it. One might start but as long as the other can stay uninvited, it won't go further. When in charge, I in many ways always remind the staff in case of any harassment is imminent, they can use a gesture like making little distance, keep up with the current work, and avoid making negation abruptly are mostly effective. There were some of senior staffs or docs who always try to make their chance, but once we do not entertain it, they will stop for sure.

This issue is not exist only in health-care-work setting. It's everywhere.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Have you considered whether your fiance is not really with you on your plan to be a nurse? Many posts on this forum about that aspect of becoming a nurse. Some guys fear you will meet some fabulous MD (not likely - really not likely!) and that they will be dumped. Or, that you will suddenly make more money? Or, that you will see other men naked? It runs the whole way around the block. We've even had boyfriends/husbands post here about it. It's ridiculous.

This seems more likely. I have never had sexual advances from coworkers that I did not put a stop to with a simple no thanks. I have never had my butt slapped or been sexted..

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

We do have people who make sexual jokes with each other, but ONLY to people who are ok with it and never in front of patients or anything like that. I wouldn't let what your bf says keep you from nursing. And if it does happen, you would learn to stand up for yourself, which is a good thing. Sexual harrassment can happen anywhere.

[sapphire18]

Sexual harassment exists at least as much as in hospitals, in other workplaces.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Any chance your fiance works at Seattle Grace Mercy West?

Seriously, that's the only place I've seen that fits the description your fellow paints. Sounds like he doesn't really want you there, for whatever reason. Regardless of reason, he seems to not want you to be a nurse---or maybe, not work in the hospital. Why? Ask him for the real reason.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

i am young in your age group and work with many nurses and aides who are also. I never saw anything this out of control. There is some flirting but from what I have observed it is a two way street everytime. no one is grabbing anyone or showing sexual pics at the desk in front if managers, visitors and patients. is the OR that different?