Verbal assault by a pt.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am still reeling over a verbal attack by a geriatric pt last week. Without getting into details, it was probably the worst I've been treated in years. None of it was warranted. His anger was not my fault, I was simply the object available when he blew his stack. I honestly tried to rationalize his behavior, he's scared, he's worried, the bills are piling up, case management talked to him, ........... The one excuse I couldn't give him was confusion. Completely alert person. I tried to defuse the situation, but opening my mouth to speak simply enraged him further. He was old and very sick. That didn't make his attack any less violent or any less painful. What is allowed where you work? How far can you go when a pt is completely out of control, and what they say is every bit as violent as a fist?

Specializes in psych, geriatrics.
I think what capecod was trying to say it that you do have to have a thick skin. Have I been yelled at before...yes. Did it bother me....yes, for a few minutes. Will I be yelled at again....yes. Will I provide care any differently....nope. Sticks and stones might have been flippant, but when you think about it...you are at home typing on your computer and that person is probably still in the hospital.

Thick skin is good not only for you - if you take advantage of it, you can also provide better care as well: more patient, less distressed and distracted, better able to think clearly.

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
With all due respect, "sticks and stone may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" is the height of idiocy. Watch the face of a child when a parent is screaming at them or calling them names. I only say a child's face because they have not yet developed the talent of hiding what they feel. It hurts, being yelled at, it just does. Generally I handle those situations better, but as one poster suggested I was completely blindsided.

Words can indeed be as strong as blows. Bruises will heal, but the emotional reaction of words lasts longer. If words were so innoucuous, why are there laws against slander?

Think of words as bullets, some hit the vest and others hit and penetrate. Doesn't matter if I got shot in my personal life or in my professional life, I still got shot!

{{{{hugs OP hugs}}}}}}}

Pt.s are going to lose it. Families are going to lose it .Doctors are going to lose it.

Don't get sucked into thier drama!

A very succinct, "I'll come back and continue this discussion when you have gotten control of yourself" works wonders EVERY time.

Walk out, smile to yourself and let THEM fry!

An apology happens most every time. If it doesn't, they will escalate, so just call security.

+ Add a Comment