10 Things To Do If You Experience Harassment As A Nurse


Written By: Darby FaubionDarby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »»
RN, BSN, MBA

Harassment in the workplace is a serious issue that impacts many professions, including nursing. Despite making sacrifices to care for others, nurses often find themselves in uncomfortable situations, being harassed by patients, coworkers, or managers. It is crucial to not only recognize the signs of harassment, but to be clear about what to do if you experience harassment as a nurse.

In this article, I will share my insight into harassment in the workplace and tell you 10 things to do if you experience harassment as a nurse. Knowing how to respond to harassment is essential for addressing and overcoming workplace harassment, and with the proper tools and information, the cycle can stop with you!



What To Do If You Experience Harassment as a Nurse?

(The following are the 10 things to do if you experience harassment as a nurse.)


THING #1: Acknowledge the Incident(s)

If you experience harassment as a nurse, it can be frightening. Many nurses try to hide the fact that they have been harassed, either because they do not want the stigma of being a victim attached to them or because they feel threatened by the person who has harassed them.

One of my closest friends worked as an emergency room nurse for several years. She once confided in me that a coworker had been harassing her for months, but she had not reported the incidents to her supervisors. Although I encouraged her to talk to her manager or nursing director, she was set against it for fear of retaliation. She ended up quitting her job to get away from the person who was harassing her. Eventually, the same person harassed someone else who did report them, and the harasser was fired, but not before my friend left her job. I understand that being harassed is something you may not want to address. However, acknowledging what has happened is crucial, especially if you want to put a stop to the behavior.


THING #2: Speak Up for Yourself

If you feel comfortable doing so, address the person who is harassing you and tell them to stop. You are within your rights to tell others that their behavior is inappropriate and that you do not want to be treated in a certain manner. Every case of harassment is different, and only you know if you feel like you can confront the person harassing you. If you do not feel comfortable confronting the other person, do not stress. There are other things you can do if you experience harassment as a nurse, like those listed below.


THING #3: Keep a Personal Record of What Happened

Something I learned working as a victim's advocate is that details tend to become blurred in our memories, especially as time goes on. Sometimes, the trauma of being harassed is enough to make someone push memories aside or suppress the event. For this reason, it is important to keep a record of anything that happened related to the harassment. Whether you have a journal, a pocket calendar, or even save details in the notes on your phone or tablet, try to record as much information as possible as soon as you can after it occurs. You may never need to pull your personal records, but if you do, at least you will have them to use as a reference.


THING #4: Report the Harassment According to Your Company’s Policies

All companies should have policies in place that outline the appropriate action to take if harassment occurs. If you experience harassment as a nurse, follow your company’s policies and procedures for reporting it. Most organizations require notifying your immediate supervisor or the human resources department.

One thing you learn from the time you begin nursing school is that following the chain of command is important. However, the chain of command may be disrupted if the person harassing is a supervisor. For example, years ago, I worked with a nurse who was being harassed by her immediate supervisor. In cases like this, you must go over your supervisor to the next person in the chain of command.


THING #5: Get Copies of All Reports

In addition to keeping personal notes related to any harassment incidents, it is also essential that you obtain copies of all reports filed. Whether you report the incident to your supervisor, administrator, human resources, or law enforcement, ask for copies of any documents you complete and keep them somewhere safe and secure. It is best to request a copy of the complaint at the time you file it. This is especially important as it is not uncommon for reports related to harassment to "become misplaced." While you may request a copy of your complaint, some documents, such as witness statements or notes from an investigation of your complaint, may be restricted to protect others' confidentiality.


THING #6: Be Aware of When to Escalate Your Complaint

Having worked in leadership, I take issues of harassment seriously and believe any manager, leader, or administrator should, as well. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. When supervisors or managers fail to handle these types of situations, they can get out of hand quickly. Therefore, if you experience harassment as a nurse and report it, but the report does not lead to action, you may need to escalate the complaint to higher management.


THING #7: Reach Out for Support

Being the victim of harassment can leave you feeling anxious, worried, and afraid. During this time, it is important to reach out to trusted friends, family, and colleagues for support. Talk to them about what you are experiencing and feeling. Sharing what you are going through can offer an outlet for your stress and anxiety and can provide emotional relief. The people in your support group may also offer practical advice on how to navigate through this trying time.

Like my friend who confided in me that she was being harassed, the decision of whether to report the issue or not is entirely yours. However, having someone to talk to can sometimes help you get clarity and allow you to make decisions about how to handle your situation.


THING #8: Utilize EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs)

Employee assistance programs offer several types of services and are excellent sources of support if you experience harassment as a nurse. These programs often provide confidential counseling to help victims deal with the emotional impact caused by harassment. Additionally, employee assistance programs may offer conflict resolution services to address harassment and interpersonal conflicts, critical incident response to help restore a safe work environment, and legal assistance to help you understand your rights regarding harassment.


THING #9: Decide if You Need to Take Legal Action

In the event that you experience harassment as a nurse, the ideal situation would be for your employer to take your report seriously and handle the situation. However, if the harassment is severe or repeated and you lack an appropriate response from your employer, seeking help through legal action may be necessary.

Taking legal action because of harassment is a crucial decision that should be considered carefully. If the harassment causes physical or emotional harm, you may find that you are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. Also, if the discrimination violates your right to be free from discrimination based on gender, disability, age, race, or sexual orientation, you may have grounds for legal action as protected by anti-discrimination laws.


THING #10: Be Mindful of Self-Care

When you experience harassment as a nurse, it can take a toll on your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is especially important during this time to be mindful of practicing self-care so that you do not become too overwhelmed to handle the situation. Self-care can take on many forms, from spending some time alone reflecting on the situation and surrounding yourself with friends and loved ones who encourage you, to taking some time off from work so you can rest and decide where to go moving forward.



My Final Thoughts


Experiencing harassment in the workplace can be quite distressing. Harassment undermines your personal well-being and can impact your professional performance. Therefore, it is important to ask, “What constitutes harassment and what to do if you experience harassment as a nurse?”

Once you recognize harassment, taking the proper steps to put an end to it is essential. In this article, you learned 10 things to do if you experience harassment as a nurse. As a nurse, you sacrifice your time and dedicate your skills to help others, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice your own well-being. While it can be an overwhelming experience, if you do experience harassment, I encourage you to know that it is okay to confront harassment and expect fair treatment.



List Of Sources Used For This Article


1. “When to Escalate an Issue at Work (Benefits and Example)” (indeed.com)
2. “What You Should Know: What to Do if You Believe You Have Been Harassed at Work” (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
3. “Self-Care for Nurses – 25 Proven Strategies to Take Better Care of Yourself” (nursingprocess.org)


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.