Question

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Sally hired Steve 11 months ago on the surgical unit. His references at his previous place of employment were glowing, Sally notices that he works well with staff members, and his patients seem to be highly satisfied with the nursing care they receive from him. Brianne, one of the staff nurses, reports to Sally that Steve seems to be overly friendly with female patients. Sally asks Brianne to explain what she means. Brianne whispers to Sally, “I overheard Steve ask several female patients for their phone numbers, and he is spending extra time with female patients. Today, he asked me to switch patients with him, so he would have more female patients.” Sally has not received any patient complaints about Steve. As the nurse leader, Sally decides to wait until someone actually witnesses an event; after all, Steve is a competent practicing nurse.

Related question #1

Is this the correct decision? Why or why not?

Related question #2

If Steve is in fact engaging in sexual misconduct, would Sally be held legally responsible?

Related question #3

As the nurse leader, how would you to handle suspected sexual misconduct in the workplace?

Answer 1

#1.

Ofcourse yes. It is the right decision by the nursing leader. From the question, there are several reasons to say yes to the first statement and are listed below

a) He had a good employment certificate from where he worked last and finally

b) He works well and in return get good feedback from patients for what he is doing.

From these best part of Steve's working experience, making a quick decision may lose a perfect employee for the nursing leader and also to the organization until someone reported with the same. As a nursing leader, she should monitor Steve's behavior to the patient and the care he is giving to the patient.

#2. Yes. Because she is the one who hired Steve and moreover she is the nursing leader for him from the time he started working. So, misbehaving with the female patients may affect the organizational deputation which may directly affects the nursing leader who is incharge of a department. She as a nursing leader is always responsible for the care the nurses done in the department, the behavior of the staffs and also to the safety of the patients. So she is legally responsible for if Steve engaged in sexual misconduct.

#3. Nursing leader is the head of the team who guides the work being done by the employees in the organization. Apart from these, to reduce sexual misconduct in the workplace she also be aware of the other responsibilities of her.

a) maintain privacy and right of patient choice at the top level

b) she should strictly monitor the behavior of the patient to the employees.

c) she should make a direct contact with the patient if there is any misconduct reported.

d) she should frequently conduct a meeting within the team members to know any complaints within the employees.
e) she also tries to assign female staff nurses to the female patients to reduce the misconduct further.