[HangTen!]

Absolutely! I was violently assaulted on a home health case by the father of the vent child I was caring for. I had ptsd after, believed I was going to die during the assault. I was strangled, battered, picked up and thrown through the air. I closed my eyes when I bathed for well over 6 weeks as I couldn't bear to see the bruises.

He plea bargained, received 18 months probation (has LOOOONG history of assault through many years including jail time I later learned). He continues to work in his state job high in the ranks. Pitiful.

The agency I worked for? I received No support from them. They knew of his history and afterwards demanded their nurses go back in the home and accompany him with the child b/c "after all, you are professionals" written in the letter they mailed to all nurses working that case. So, in addition to the individuals being charged with a felony, so should any business or employer that knowingly puts their employees at risk. I learned afterwards the first agency to work with this family after the child was born, dropped them b/c "the safety of their nurses was not guranteed". However, this was a guaranteed 24/7 need and the dollar spoke louder to the agency.

Where do I sign on for this one?! NO ONE should be compromised.....ever. Do Not accept that you are liable for your being assaulted. BS. Do you know, when the police arrived, I was still in the house with this man, and they would not Even come in until more back up arrived. And we are to "handle it" on our own? lol Yeah, right! A neighbor man came in when he heard the commotion and tried to reason with the man who did the assaulting, and he was picked up by his throat and held against the wall with his feet off of the floor.

If you are injured, you are dropped like a hot potatoe. No employer cares what happens to the rest of your life, only YOU can prevent your injury by not allowing yourself to be set up by your employer. This goes for mental illness as well.

God Speed to each nurse, and may another one Never be injured again.....My Dream! Idealistic, but still my Dream.

(Sorry-Lengthy! Something I am passionate about)

I hope this gains momentum!

Stay Safe, my

[Hopefull2009]

I don't agree with it.

I don't agree that someone who pushes a physician should be charged with a felony while someone that punches a convenience store clerk in the face should be given a fine and sent home that wil probably get the charge expunged in a year if they have a clean record

The punishment should fit the degree of the offense...regardless of what the victim does for a living.

[Hopefull2009]

Originally Posted by Heather, R.N.

Yes, yes, yes!!! Absolutely!!! I have never understood why injuring a police officer is a felony, but not a nurse, fireman, EMS worker, etc. We are out there on the front lines as well!!!

The difference is...the majority of healthcare workers work for a private employer.

The professions listed above are PUBLIC employees.

[Perpetual Student]

Assaulting (or battering) a nurse, doctor, cop, person of a different race, circus performer, hamburger flipper, or random person off of the street warrants the same punishment. Creating special classes of citizens that can, or cannot, be abused is absolutely insane. Non-defensive violent conduct is intolerable regardless of whom it is directed at.

[grace90]

Originally Posted by Perpetual Student

Assaulting (or battering) a nurse, doctor, cop, person of a different race, circus performer, hamburger flipper, or random person off of the street warrants the same punishment. Creating special classes of citizens that can, or cannot, be abused is absolutely insane. Non-defensive violent conduct is intolerable regardless of whom it is directed at.

Isn't it a bigger deal to assault a police officer than a regular joe on the street? Cops put themselves at risk everyday with what they deal with. So do health professionals. So we shouldhave extra protection too.

[Perpetual Student]

Originally Posted by grace90

Isn't it a bigger deal to assault a police officer than a regular joe on the street? Cops put themselves at risk everyday with what they deal with. So do health professionals. So we shouldhave extra protection too.

I believe it's nowhere nearly as serious to assault a police officer as it is a child, woman, or disabled person. Cops have training, body armor, and weaponry with which to defend themselves. Unfortunately, there are currently laws that give police officers special treatment. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying people should be able to freely attack them, but it's not more serious than attacking anyone else. Non-defensive violence against ANYONE should not be tolerated, regardless of occupation.