Nurse Stabbed

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Thought that you may be interested in this article I found at Perth Now, on the internet.

I am a Psych nurse and no longer work in the specialty, and yes I have been assaulted at work. Have you ever been assaulted at work?

Jim Kelly

September 18, 2007 01:00pm

A PSYCHIATRIC outpatient has been remanded in custody after a nurse was attacked with a screwdriver in Perth.

Manuel Joseph Francisco, 41, appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court today charged with attempted murder.

He allegedly stabbed the nurse eight times in the face, neck and head as she was walking

through a mental health clinic car park in East Perth yesterday.

Francisco was remanded in custody and to reappear in the same court on September 25.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Here is one link to the story:

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,22432700-5003402,00.html?from=public_rss

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Nursing has always been a job with risk associated. We come across a wide range of individuals. Many with mental health problems. I was once assaulted by a patient. I was "King hit" on the back of the head. BOY! It hurt! Hmmmmm... maybe THAT'S why I have memory loss now!!!???!!! LOL

I hope this nurse recovers soon.

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Nursing has always been a job with risk associated. We come across a wide range of individuals. Many with mental health problems. I was once assaulted by a patient. I was "King hit" on the back of the head. BOY! It hurt! Hmmmmm... maybe THAT'S why I have memory loss now!!!???!!! LOL

I hope this nurse recovers soon.

I agree we certainly see a cross section of the community, the good, the bad and the very, very ugly! Nurses are perceived to be soft targets for offenders. There is little to no consequence for the offender if a nurse is assaulted. Nurses and health care facilites need to come down hard on the offenders. This includes criminal and civil action taken with the support of the employer. The nurse should also take out a restraining order against the assailant as well. Without consequence for the offender there can be no change to their behaviour and the cycle will continue. My thoughts are with that poor nurse as well.

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
Have you ever been assaulted at work?
Yes; where do I start (I worked mainly in medical wards)...Though I admit, no one has come at me with a knife...

I agree we certainly see a cross section of the community, the good, the bad and the very, very ugly! Nurses are perceived to be soft targets for offenders. There is little to no consequence for the offender if a nurse is assaulted. Nurses and health care facilites need to come down hard on the offenders. This includes criminal and civil action taken with the support of the employer. The nurse should also take out a restraining order against the assailant as well. Without consequence for the offender there can be no change to their behaviour and the cycle will continue. My thoughts are with that poor nurse as well.

Mine too - and the family of the nurse as well.

And it would help if hospitals would support their nurses as well; not by just asking us to fill out more paperwork.

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I'm currently on clinical with a Crisis Assessment Treatement Team for mental health, they've told me some real horror stories - like how just recently a person suspected of murder sat outside the inpatient unit with a cross bow and planned to shoot at the nurses coming out - they're still on the run.

As it is, I was told by many a mental health nurse, and my lecturers, that you have a higher likihood of being assulted in the A&E as opposed to in a mental health setting.

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

I pray she heals both physically and mentally.

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