Teaneck Nurse's License Revoked After Video Shows Her Slapping Bedridden Patient

TEANECK, N.J. — The state Board of Nursing permanently revoked a Bergen County nurse's license after a video surfaced of her purportedly slapping a bed-bound patient in his home, authorities said.

Dorothea Harvilik, a registered professional nurse, voluntarily surrender her license, which the board permanently revoked effective immediately, Attorney General Christopher Porrino said in a news release.

Harvilik was employed by a Teaneck home health care agency assigned to provide the patient care.

The patient's mother set up a camera to record Harvilik interacting with her son after she noticed scratches on his hands, Porrino said.

After the video reportedly caught Harvilik abusing the patient, the agency terminated her employment for professional misconduct, the attorney general said. The agency reported the termination to the board.

Harvilik agreed to the revocation without admitting to the allegations against her. Under the order, she is not allowed to reapply for her license.

"These are sickening allegations involving the mistreatment of a defenseless patient,” Porrino said. “Patients as vulnerable as this young man are at the mercy of their medical caregivers and Harvilik allegedly showed him none. We will act swiftly and aggressively to protect patients from being abused by bullies masquerading as health care providers.”

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