[ChangeofPace]

in orientation or did you take one outside of work? Just wonderin ghow to prepare mself for this line of work.

[ArizonaMark]

No, I don't believe any nurse is going to receive self-defense from a facility. Having said that, there is an upside. If you are not trained by the staff, you cannot be held accountable to how you might react if threatened/attacked. For example, most law enforcement agencies forbid choke holds, overwhelmingly the single most effective way to STOP someone who might be attacking you.
Choke holds are relatively easy to learn, effective, and not too difficult to apply. Check out a good martial arts school nearby, I would recommend Krav Maga, this Isreali self defense course specializes in helping those who are unaccustomed to even consider violence to counteract violence.
BTW, nurses in general are treated more favorably and you are less likely to be attacked than say an officer. But, never say never. And if the attack comes, you would likely NEVER see it coming. Violent criminals are not in the business of fighting fair. If they decide to go for the kill, they will take every advantage, including diversion.
Goodness, didn't mean to sound too negative. I do work in corrections and really enjoy the challenges, the autonomy. But, I am very cognizent of the dangers each and every day...
Some advice, always ensure there is an officer nearby. Their mere presence should deter any nasty thought some nerdowell might entertain...

Mark

[cscott1]

I got a brief (less than 4 hour) course when I oriented to a CCA facility. Being ex-military and combat trained, I can tell you the coures was of little or no good for pracitcal use.
I do agree with the previous poster that medical folks are less likely to be attacked than officers. Having said that, I have had inmates try to go after me during pre-confinement screening. Just remember, its a correctional facility and the inmates are not there becuase of excellent Sunday school attendance.

[Hoozdo]

I received no self defense course - but I don't think I need any. The guards are always present and not far when I give medical care. Since I am in a jail infirmary the pts are always in a cell under lock and key and not out wandering.

Ironically, I did receive self defense training when I worked at a VA hospital. It was only about a 4 hour class that taught us how to break various holds and what to do in case of attack. Even though I worked in MICU, the training was handy!

[stevesf]

Yes, we did in CT. The first part is to treat the IM's like human beings. Part 2 for the per diem nurses was two days of training similar to Krav Maga and Jujitsu, as part of the "mini" Academy. It was very intense, and used gross motor skills. Full time employees get a lot more of this in the full Academy training scenario.

[jeepgirl]

just hopping over from another thread - hey, i think i took the same self defense course you did working at private hospital. four hour course, called a "calm" course. mainly about de-escalation and breaking holds, getting away with your scalp intact, ect.

[TwistedAsst]

No, no self defense training in our facility.

About a year ago, while running meds in an open female pod (80 girls to 1 officer) I ticked off one of the female inmates (she was a known "Signal 25" ... 5150 ... whatever you call the mentally "unfit" in your facility) ... anyway, unaware that I ticked her off she picked up a carton of milk and chucked it at my head. If it weren't for the other inmates around me, she would have nailed me. At the same time 3 other girls, tackled her.

Most inmates will defend the nurses before anyone else. They know WE have the key to their drugs!

Regardless of their history, charges etc., they are still our patients. If you treat them with that respect ... you will never have a problem.

~Amy~

[Ion]

The less rules they give you, the more free you are in your self defense actions. A small course at work will usually teach you enough to get hurt.

If something goes down, you have to move from realizing something happened, to realizing you need to do something, and finally to actually doing it. If they go for the nurse, then there are no officers or the officer is already engaged.

You will have to fight harder than the person who is trying to hurt or kill you. If you are hurt, you make a choice to be a victim or to keep fighting.

You have to make the choice to go for the radio, or a button, if you can get to one. Do you have a man down button on your radio? Where is your radio if you have one? Hope you are not a complacent nurse who left their radio.

When a fight in corrections goes down, it happens fast. There are no second place winners.

The best way to keep from losing a fight is to not enter one, but when you must fight, will you fight to win?