This is a new field for me, being suspended for at least two shifts until my department head gets back from vacation. Here is what happened according to the assistant department head. I was getting ready for work when the cat jumped on the bed and threwup on my scrub top. I had to be on the job in 45 min. so I put on a T-Shirt (brand new) that had 4 embroidered misquitos on the top by the neck line and the words "bite me" just below. We are required to wear blue or white, not a mix. Also things like T-shirts, prints, etc. are considered "no-no's", though exception has been made many times for staff. It was not much of a choice as I did not have anything else to wear. The T-shirt was Ceil blue and plain except for that little bit of decor. What happened is a patient who saw it has become upset. The only time that I was in this patients room was to co-sign and witness a new Dilaudid syringe being put into his PCA. I did not take direct care of this person. The first time I did this, he was alone. I did hear him ask the primary nurse to give him a bolus ( which she did not do as he had used all of his up). He was getting 5.9 mg an hour. PCA plus a basal rate. The second time his wife was in there with him. She made a comment about my T-shirt saying "bite me" was her exact feeling. I may have mentioned that a co-worker got this for me. ( I like to camp out a lot, though I do not usually get bit by insects). According to my department assistant, the patient has become VERY upset telling everyone about it who comes into the room. I was on Thursday night but only on Sunday did he get upset. I remember that the second time I had to go into that pt's room, the wife was there. She seemed either stressed or upset but did not say anything. Her husband appeared to be well controlled regarding the pain, so I do not know if anything else happened. But what UPSETS ME, is the accusation, and basically being hung out to dry with out a trial or judge JUST ON A PT BEING UPSET. If I had any idea that this would upset anyone, I would have called in late. Or asked the supervisor for a scrub top that would not fit appropiately. I have followed dress code for all the the 16 + years that I have worked at this hospital. Can't say that for several of the other co-workers on the floor. I guess it makes no difference how good of a nurse, how experienced, how compassionate I am. Nor does it make a difference how often I go the extra, extra mile for my patients safety and comfort. I feel that there is an some thing else going on and this patient is fixating on my T-Shirt. I have been a nurse since 1974. Only one other time I was suspended. Two patients with major psych issues overheard my charge nurse saying that we were short staffed. Baths would come later. (The pt's interpeted it to being refused a bath) I did set them up 30 min. later. I was still suspended, even though my charge nurse wrote a letter telling them it was HER , NOT I who spoke those words. She was never reprimanded. The moral of that incident was to NEVER SAY YOU ARE SHORT STAFFED. We had one RN and myself( who was an LPN at that time)for 24 patients at 5 am. I was given the back pay that was loss, but the personal hurt that came from that incident makes this one even worse. Now, I would like to hear other opinions. Do you feel that I should be punished for this error in dress? My supervisor commented how cute it was, and one of my other patients liked it as well. I did try to keep it covered up with my scrub jacket being snapped in front ( most of the time). This is a major loss in pay. It is things like this that makes one want to QUIT the nursing field. Sleeping on the job, doing personal business on company hours is not always punished in this fashion, it is ONLY when patients or family complain. I know that I work hard, help others when needed, and KNOW THAT I AM AN EXCELLENT NURSE. But I need other's insite on this matter, too. Sorry for the long note...got to speak out to someone. Thanks
Specializes in Med/surg, ER/ED,rehab ,nursing home.
I really am surprised at the Urban Dictionary defination. I was more inclined to think at worst: A who cares attitude.. This patient is in my age group or not much younger... In looking at a lot of definations...there really could be a huge misunderstanding at times. I've been insulted and did not know it...Wow I have book marked the site. It helps.
No, there is nothing dirty about "Bite Me" BUT it just isn't an appropriate choice for professional work attire. It sounds like the punishment was a little harsh for the crime, but hopefully things will be straightened out soon.
I also work 3 shifts/week, but I have about 5 scrub tops and an equal number of pants. That way I am sure to have a clean one. I used to have 6, but one got eaten by my dog. I would consider this a lesson learned, and continue on my way (assuming the overreaction gets straightened out).
LOL! From "The dog ate my homework!" to "The dog ate my scrub pants!"
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
When I first read your post, I was inclined to think that you used INCREDIBLY poor judgement. However, I read on and found out that 1) you did try to cover the emblem up with a lab coat through the night and 2) you apparently didn't know that "Bite Me" is actually a rather offensive term.
So, I can't say that I might not have done the same thing that you did, in a pinch. I probably would have, however, at least tried to find, or have someone find, a scrub top there at the hospital that would fit you.
Ah well. Hindsight is 20/20. Getting suspended for this little incident was very very harsh. Anywhere else, I would have thought that the supervisor would have just asked you to go home and change. And MAYBE, MAYBE a write up, if the patient and their family were really THAT upset.
is this a joke?? you wore a tshirt to work that said "biteme" and wonder why you were reprimanded??
Oh for Heaven's sakes! It was a little decorative t-shirt(sounds cute to me) and the OP had it covered up with her lab coat---or tried to!!!!! I think the suspension is more than enough punishment. She doesn't need any further brow-beating in the form of negative questions/statements. I hope she has a union and calls on her union representative to fight this absurdity!:angryfire
what has happened to the days when co-workers supported each other,,,,and if there was an error of judgement on the OP, why didnt the supervisor just take her aside and get her a scrub top from wherever in the hospital that they must keep them,,,,,,ER, or OR.
the patient took offence but an apology and a word from the supervisor could have placated him. what happened is not a nursing issue, so why suspend her.
there doesnt seem to be any support for nurses, just judgement and to make the nurse feel like no matter what she does she's in the wrong.
scrub tops dont cost that much and if the OP had invested in a few more the situation wouldnt have arisen.
looks like the hospital would rather work short staffed than to support their nurses.
Oh for Heaven's sakes! It was a little decorative t-shirt(sounds cute to me) and the OP had it covered up with her lab coat---or tried to!!!!! I think the suspension is more than enough punishment. She doesn't need any further brow-beating in the form of negative questions/statements. I hope she has a union and calls on her union representative to fight this absurdity!:angryfire
sure it sounds like a cute tshirt...one most of us would wear AWAY from work, but it is our responsibility to follow the dress code at our jobs and appear professional to patients.
I dont believe I "brow beat" anyone. I am still trying to figure out how the OP doesnt understand why it wasnt ok to wear that shirt. I wouldnt have suspended the staff member but I would have sent them home to change. The same way I have sent people home with black thongs on under white uniform pants.
If you say that other staff members have had similar dress code violations and have not been disciplined, then this is a disciplinary violation of ethics. Because the rule is not enforced to all of the staff you could have grounds to sue or at least appeal the decision of your supervisor. Maybe you should file a grievance if you have a labor union and if not go to human resources. I would be pretty upset if I were in your position.
Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.
Sounds as if they're violating your rights as an employee...not at all unusual, you need to pursue that.
Good luck.
So far I have been suspended until I hear otherwise. I have not been told anything except by phone. I understand that I can be suspended on the spot if endangering a patient. This did not happen. Also policy states that I am to be seen and talked to FIRST. This did not happen. Thanks for your input.
I don't feel it was an appropriate shirt to wear (I would have worn a shirt from the dirty laundry first and have, I also have a cat and two dogs who like to barf on my clothes), but I don't think it warrants a suspension. The supervisor could have offered you something else to wear, even a scrub top from the OR or somthing. Maybe asked around to see if someone had an extra top for you, or offered you a jacket to cover your shirt.
Another simple solution for the lack of scrubs tops would be to keep your clothes up where the animals can't get to them. I used to have cats and dogs and as I can't stand to have animal hair on them when I go to work, I would leave them hanging up until I was ready to put them on and then leave the house. This also kept me from getting make-up on them as I put it on (another pet peeve of mine).
I think the suspension is more than enough punishment. She doesn't need any further brow-beating in the form of negative questions/statements. I hope she has a union and calls on her union representative to fight this absurdity!:angryfire.thumb.jpg.2605487e9a1cc011342d44bcf46e0b55.jpg){kind=small}
She was told to change into a hospital scrub top.
bradleau
146 Posts
I really am surprised at the Urban Dictionary defination. I was more inclined to think at worst: A who cares attitude.. This patient is in my age group or not much younger... In looking at a lot of definations...there really could be a huge misunderstanding at times. I've been insulted and did not know it...Wow I have book marked the site. It helps.