If you think your workplace is unsafe
There is never a good excuse to attack a nurse, regardless of how much pain someone is in or how long he has been waiting. Unfortunately, violence still happens. Today’s world of self-entitlement and instant gratification doesn’t help matters. And while violence is possible anywhere in the hospital system, emergency room nurses are at the forefront.
If you think your workplace is unsafe, it’s time to take action. The first step is to approach administration about instituting a no-violence policy, with the rules and expectations posted throughout the facility for everyone—staff and visitors—to see. If there is already a no-violence policy, it should be renewed, updated and—again—posted for everyone.
Steps to take for your own safety involve common sense and listening to your gut. If you’re in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, here are some tips:
- Report all incidents that you feel could have led to violence, even if they did not end violently.
- Try not to have anyone between you and the doorway or any escape route.
- Don’t turn your back on someone you are concerned about.
- Don’t escalate the situation by engaging in an argument. It’s better to be alive than right.
- If you have a hospital phone or cell phone, keep it in your hand.
- If you must go into a patient’s room or an area where you don’t feel comfortable, have someone accompany you.
This article is so true. I recently got back into Home Health, and entered a home with a “difficult” client. Out of the blue, he threatened me with a butcher knife he had grabbed off of a nearby table, screaming at me for no appearent reason. Only moments earlier, we were having a good conversation about his daughter, while I did my job. Needless to say, I’ve never felt so terrified in my life, considering he was literally only two feet from me and was threatening to throw the knife to cut me. I grabbed my car keys and couldn’t get out of there fast enough, leaving my gloves and other supplies at the home. This occured almost 2 weeks ago now, but it replays in my head constently. Makes me think Self Defense should be a required pre-requisite for any nurse.
While working in the OR at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, they presented a program to us called “Looking Forward to Being Attacked” which concentrated on all the points you presented and more. I would recommend it.