Vent: Embarrassed during change of shift.

[Spritenurse1210]

During change of shift, Per our policy myself and the oncoming day shift nurse were checking duragesic patch placement on our residents. we entered resident A's room and she proceeded to look for resident a's patch. I had just seen it earlier on in the shift when i counted off with the 3-11 shift nurse. I reached down to help her look for the patch, and her face got red and she grabbed my arm really hard, dug her nails in and pushed my arm away from the resident, and stated "why do you always have to be so uptight?!?!" I almost started to cry, and was really embarrassed by the whole incident. Do you think that I'm reading too much into this?

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

Maybe she was wearing one too many of the patches herself.... she sounds scary and I would definitely confront her inappropriate behavior. Stand up for yourself even if you have to do it behind her back (report her).

Um.....vertical chain of command......

I'll repeat. There is no need for confrontation!

[lftiger]

I would have kicked her in the butt until her nose started to bleed!! But, seriously, she probably would not have tried that on a male or a resident who was capable of defending themselves. Don't be embarrassed...be proactive and report her before she REALLY hurts somebody!

[leslie :-D]

wow.

i agree, you have nothing to be embarrassed about.

her behavior verges on psychotic.

personally, i wouldn't have any problem confronting her...

that you were only trying to help -

and to NEVER put her hands on you again.

depending on how she responds (or, how her gen'l behavior is),

i would only bring it up to the supervisor if she doesn't seem remorseful...

and think the higher-up should know about her conduct.

my main concern is for the safety of the pts.

let us know how it works out, jess.:icon_hug:

leslie

[RN1982]

To me, it doesn't matter what this nurse's "normal" behavior is like. She assaulted the OP and should be reported accordingly.

[justiceforjoy]

To me, it doesn't matter what this nurse's "normal" behavior is like. She assaulted the OP and should be reported accordingly.

Initially, I was going to suggest you confront her, but after thinking about it, I agree with TurnLeftSide. This was battery. If she's not afraid to do that to you, who's to say she won't be afraid to do it to a resident, a family member, another coworker, or even you again?

This isn't just a personal issue between her and you, this is a safety issue.

Also, you have no reason to be embarrassed. You were being a nurse, she was being a b... Well, you know.

[jamesshook2001]

I am sorry for your experience. As a Registered Nurse and an Attorney, that would the the first (and last) time that she EVER touched me. Not sure what the laws of your state are, but I am sure that is common law battery and possibly, negligent infliction of emotional distress.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Not a nurse yet, but I can tell you as someone who has been a Pt. many times, had I seen that I would have filed a complaint against the other nurse AS THE PT. Not that she did anything to me but that behavior is absolutely uncalled for and not professional. I actually would have said something to the Nurse myself being the Pt. but I don't blame you for being embarrassed. That is totally uncalled for and I would have also taken pictures of the nail marks right away if possible.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

I agree that she may have had a bad day and may be remorseful, but still it was battery. No matter what mood Im in, I do not take it out on my coworkers or my patients. Honestly, her behavior sounds like she was hiding something, but she may not have. Finding a patch is not being "uptight" as she put it. Its being responsibile and taking your job seriously. I am hoping the patch was found, for many reasons. Counting patches is done for a reason.

[bekindtokittens]

I hope we get an update on what happened.

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

Update:

I reported the situation to my immediate supervisor, and as far as I can tell, the facility will take NO action against her. The supervisor just told me to document the occurance, and anything else she does out of line so that they could build a basis to have her let go. The nail marks were superficial, were gone within a couple hours of the incident, and it was her word against mine. they are looking to fire her, but because it's now a case of her word against mine, there is nothing they could do. I do, however, have someone come into a room with us while we check patches and she has no longer put her hands on my since.

[angiendev1]

i was just reading through some threads and happened across yours. I am just a new nurse but I became instantly angry when I read this. YOU SHOULD NEVER BE PHYSICALLY ABUSED AT YOUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT!!! Or anyplace for that matter. I would be beyond angry, I would be livid! This person needs to be let known in no uncertain terms that her behavior toward you is unacceptable and will be reported. There is no way that I would let somebody touch me out of anger. She obviously lacks the communication and life skills that it takes to articulate herself in a professional manner and if she can do that to you because she is upset, how is her patient care!!!

[ECKPowers]

That's assault.

Unwarranted and unwelcome touching in a threatening manner is assault. I wouldn't talk to her. I'd speak to charge nurse, house supervisor, administration and law enforcement. Most facilities have a no tolerance rule regarding assault. She should be fired. NOW!

I wouldn't waste my time speaking to her.

I would worry that if she'd do that to you, in front of a patient, what does she do behind closed doors with other patients?

She's obviously unstable.

Good luck!

(( PS. You were far nicer than I would have been. I'm afraid I would have taken her to the hopper room and handled her! ))