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.
You seriously need some more clothes or you need to do laundry more often.
Hey, every 3 days for two adults...is enough laundry. We run 3 loads a week. I don't waste. My shirt identified me, but the patient complained about something he thought I said or did. Too many drugs on board I guess. I am back to work. You can read my update just posted.
It is not a joke. Is there something in the Bite Me that is dirty? From what I have since heard....I guess there is. I am usually the LAST to figure it out. I looked at this as daring the bugs to bit....not anything else. So did the nurse who gave it to me as a gift, and another co worker. Thanks for your input.
Yes, I think it means you want someone to bite your genitals. I see the double entendre in there. I can't remember when the expression came into use, but I DO remember my brothers saying this and that is what they meant when they said it.
I keep a complete set of clean clothes in my locker (scrub pants, scrub top, T-shirt, undies and socks). I not only use them for myself, but let my co-workers and even a patient or two has borrowed them. (Not the undies). I've been barfed on, bled on and pooped on enough that I know I'd rather have a clean set of clothes to change into when it happens.
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jenni82104
155 Posts
Unfortunately, I think we live in a world where we all have to be "perfectly politically correct" all the time.