Stop the Silence...Violence Against Nurses
“What do you mean they are taking my baby away? I won’t let them; I won’t let you!” And just like that, she spits in my face.
Spits-In-My-Face
I cared for her during the worst pain she had in labor, helped her through her heroin withdrawal, educating her how to take care of her new body she has now that she became a mother, and she...spits...in...my...face.
At least it was spit and not another gun in the patient garbage can we found last year from the drug dealer father down the hall, or the poor nurse who was beaten up in our dark parking lot because she didn’t have any cash to give the hobo on the street.
At least it was only spit is what I told myself.
I felt ashamed like I did something …show more content…
Violence Against Nurses
Many nurses have experience violence within the workplace. The public is not aware, most of the time. It is estimated that within the last year, one in four nurses were physically attacked at work.
Who knew nursing could be such a dangerous job? Patients that are sick, sometimes have mental illness as well, and often nurses cannot restrain them fast enough.
Right now, there is no federal law for the protection of nurses from violence, but some states have taken into their own hands and created their own specifications like programs that teach violence prevention. Though, the American Nurse Association has set out a model bill for states to follow to help develop protection for …show more content…
They are often called to help with patients who are violent, and often do not hesitate to help protect their female co worker.
Why nurses? Well, we are the ones who are with the patient the longest and face to face. In 2014, the Journal of Emergency Medicine reported that three in ten nurses were assaulted on the job. “Long waits, delayed pain medication, and mental illness being the three leading factors that led to violence,” per the Journal of Emergency Medicine.
How to stop violence from patients
There are a variety of de-escalating techniques nurses should try when a patient becomes violent, or you can predict they will be violent. Though, oftentimes, patients react because they are mentally ill or irate like my patient was because she lost custody of her baby.
What can be done to help prevent violent acts now?
Beyond the training that is recommended for nurses, the ANA also recommends:
Key areas, like the ED and behavior health centers, should have security guards present.
Mock situations practiced in order to have a clear system for dealing with aggressive behavior before it turns into violence and for summoning security
“What do you mean they are taking my baby away? I won’t let them; I won’t let you!” And just like that, she spits in my face.
Spits-In-My-Face
I cared for her during the worst pain she had in labor, helped her through her heroin withdrawal, educating her how to take care of her new body she has now that she became a mother, and she...spits...in...my...face.
At least it was spit and not another gun in the patient garbage can we found last year from the drug dealer father down the hall, or the poor nurse who was beaten up in our dark parking lot because she didn’t have any cash to give the hobo on the street.
At least it was only spit is what I told myself.
I felt ashamed like I did something …show more content…
Violence Against Nurses
Many nurses have experience violence within the workplace. The public is not aware, most of the time. It is estimated that within the last year, one in four nurses were physically attacked at work.
Who knew nursing could be such a dangerous job? Patients that are sick, sometimes have mental illness as well, and often nurses cannot restrain them fast enough.
Right now, there is no federal law for the protection of nurses from violence, but some states have taken into their own hands and created their own specifications like programs that teach violence prevention. Though, the American Nurse Association has set out a model bill for states to follow to help develop protection for …show more content…
They are often called to help with patients who are violent, and often do not hesitate to help protect their female co worker.
Why nurses? Well, we are the ones who are with the patient the longest and face to face. In 2014, the Journal of Emergency Medicine reported that three in ten nurses were assaulted on the job. “Long waits, delayed pain medication, and mental illness being the three leading factors that led to violence,” per the Journal of Emergency Medicine.
How to stop violence from patients
There are a variety of de-escalating techniques nurses should try when a patient becomes violent, or you can predict they will be violent. Though, oftentimes, patients react because they are mentally ill or irate like my patient was because she lost custody of her baby.
What can be done to help prevent violent acts now?
Beyond the training that is recommended for nurses, the ANA also recommends:
Key areas, like the ED and behavior health centers, should have security guards present.
Mock situations practiced in order to have a clear system for dealing with aggressive behavior before it turns into violence and for summoning security