Kellie

I was in nursing school at a state university at the time the event happened. As part of my studies, I had clinicals at a local hospital and cared for patients directly. While I was in the ICU for clinicals, I had a negative experience that stands out to me.

To adhere to HIPAA, all information will be de identified, and the patient in question will be referred to as “John Doe.”

Mr. Doe was a post stroke patient, out of the proverbial woods, but still weak on one side. It was a textbook CVA case, and I was initially glad to have an “easier” patient. I started to feel uncomfortable, however, when I did my assessments and regular checks. Mr. Doe asked if I was in a relationship, if I’d date an older man. He called me “pretty,” “sweetheart,” and “hon.” I didn’t like it, but I was used to being harassed as a young nursing student.

Later that day, I had to help transfer Mr. Doe for an imaging test. Essentially, I had to support his weak side so he could move safely to a wheelchair. During the transfer, Mr. Doe groped my buttocks and genitals over my clothes with his weak hand. I couldn’t get away from the touch without causing a fall, so I had to move Mr. Doe to his wheelchair while his hand was between my legs.

I felt dirty and used. I was a nursing student. My job was to provide healthcare and to make sure my patient was safe and healthy. Instead, I’d been treated like an object there for an old man’s sexual gratification.

I handled the situation as I was trained to do. I reported the incident to my preceptor. She told me, “Older men like to flirt with the younger girls. It makes them feel young again.” I was appalled. My safety and well-being was clearly less important to my preceptor than my patient’s ability to assault me. Unfortunately, I did not report the incident to the hospital or to my university.

Sexual violence against female healthcare providers is so common, it’s seen as part of the job. Nearly half of first year nurses leave the profession, and we have a critical nursing shortage nationwide. With experiences like mine commonplace, it’s not hard to see why.