'Angry and insulted': B.C. nurse speaks out after workplace assault, racist remark
CTV
A nurse working in one of B.C.'s short-staffed hospitals is speaking out after she says she was assaulted by a patient who made a racist remark.
A nurse working in one of B.C.'s short-staffed hospitals is speaking out after she says she was assaulted by a patient who made a racist remark.
Arlene Tedjo was working in the emergency department of Kamloops' Royal Inland Hospital Saturday when the RCMP were called in to respond to a man whose behaviour Tedjo says escalated to the point where it was dangerous and unmanageable.
In an interview with CTV News Channel she described her experience. At first, the patient was unresponsive, but was roused by Tedjo. Several minutes later when she walked by the incident unfolded.
"That individual purposely waited until I was walking past to kick my leg with the intent of tripping me," she said, adding he nearly struck another co-worker.
"I stumbled and then he said to me, 'I don't know how they do things in your country' implying, first, that I'm not from this country and being racist towards my level of education and professionalism … I'm angry and insulted because firstly, I am Canadian and I am trained as a Canadian nurse. It should not matter if I was born here or not."
The Kamloops RCMP confirmed they were called to the hospital for reports of an assault and took one man into custody. Tedjo says the man's condition was stable at the time. He has since been released with a promise to appear in court at a later date.
Interior Health told CTV News via email that the incident took place in the emergency room and involved "a patient and two staff members."