I refuse to be a punching bag - NO MORE ASSAULT

Nurses Relations

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I am writing this post because I am trying to empower all nurses regardless of title to stand up to this mentality that we have to take abuse.

Where did this myth come from? Why is it that we are seen as punching bags and sounding boards for the crazy and insane?

After taking my fair share of abuse and assault over the years, I have taken a stand - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH NO MORE!!!

Like many nurses, I used to think that being slapped, punched, bit, scratched, hair pulled, poked, spit on, yelled at, cursed out and assaulted in general was just part of our job. Nursing school teaches (indirectly) to be submissive and subservient to your higher ranking employee's and the institution you may work for. The overall nursing workplace politics are such that the bedside nurse is the target/victim of all things under the sun and as nurses we are supposed to take it - "If you have integrity you will thing of this as a learning experience".

I have news for everyone - NO MORE!

The fact that nurse assault/abuse posts are so little discussed is a major issue to me. We all need to step up and face this issue.

And face it with realism and honesty - No more justifications for the patient or there friends. So what if they are under stress! Does being under stress justify assaulting the person who is trying to help the situation? Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Just because the patient has a terminal diagnosis does not justify them from hitting the nurse.

We as a profession need to challenge this myth that we are expected to take assault.

I for one refuse to allow any patient to lay a finger on me without appropriate consequences. Sometimes its the show of force from security (our security are ex-cops with Tasers, billyclubs, and mace - you do NOT want to mess with them).

I am begging for open discussion on this issue - Stand up and empower yourselves and your profession. Assault is assault - If a patient is confused and assaulted you and you have a broken nose, does that lessen the pain or the implications from being victimized? -NO!!!

Lets all discuss this and realize that we are not to be taking this on the job. We all have had horror stories. We all need to stop making excuses / justifications.

I agree and am starting my BSN program this summer. I will not tolerate being abused - I get that sometimes pts/family have a bad attitude resulting from their condition, their circumstance, whatever - but I will not be abused.

I am a therapy aide. I have not ever tolerated abuse. A large part of my job is pt export and assisting pts through their exercises in their room or the gym. Lots of times pts want NOOOOOO part of their rehab program. Generally I can charm them into following their tx plan but pts always have the right to refuse tx. On the occasion I have had a beligerent pt who is adamant that they are not going to cooperate I simply verify that they are refusing tx and go directly to the OT/PT and inform them that the pt has refused. I do not wait around in the pts room to be abused. Sometimes there is pressure from certain PT/OTs to talk the pt into coming to the gym. If the pt is refusing tx, they may go and attempt to coerce the pt themselves. I have a right to protect myself.

And when I am a nurse, I understand that my role will be very different and much more involved - but I am still no one's punching bag. I have a family member who is a nurse and she shared that pts will hit, bite, grab her boobs, etc.... the second that happens to me I will be working with my CN to develop a plan of care for the pt that does not involve my being abused. No way baby.

LOL I said pt export - meant transport :)

Where do you work???? I've been a nurse 37 years. Acute care bedside nursing, floated to ER, floated to a locked psych unit. I've never been assaulted??

I guess patients have sworn at me, but it is like water to a duck. I KNOW they are ill, physically and or mentally hurting and their swearing at me means nothing. It is forgotten as soon as the words are out of their mouth.

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

It's a felony in NM. There is a person in jail now with charges from their assault (technically battery, assault is verbal) on me.

Specializes in PCCN.
LOL I said pt export - meant transport :)

lol- freudian slip haha

Specializes in icu/er.

i will not be laid a hand on or verbally assaulted by anyone.

Specializes in ltc, rehab, home health.

Right On!! Shout it from the mountain top!!

Specializes in Hospice, ONC, Tele, Med Surg, Endo/Output.
Another reason I love my job. An inmate tries to take a swing at me he will be kissing linoleum. And he will definately be picking up charges. I am so much safer here than even in the nursing home where over the years I have been scratched, pinched, spit at, and slapped.

Yeah, those dementia patients are the worst.

Specializes in CVICU, Obs/Gyn, Derm, NICU.
I KNOW they are ill, physically and or mentally hurting and their swearing at me means nothing. It is forgotten as soon as the words are out of their mouth.

Well beg to differ

They are rude to me even when they are not hurting .... and often they are not even the patient !!!

Family member bored and tired of waiting ...wants to go home so can get some sleep before work in the morning

P't with minor ailment who has had pain/nausea/mild dehydration corrected ...not hurting anymore but is rude and abusive anyway

I have more abusive p'ts (and family members) not hurting than hurting

I find when being yelled at hit,bitten or slapped by someone mentally compenent telling them I do not appreciate their behaviour and it is inappropriote is sometimes a lightbulb effect.

Someone hits you or bites you and your response is that you "do not appreciate their behavior"?

Prim and proper, innit?:lol2:

I've been assaulted by dementia patients. I've always reported it internally since the two times it happened it was by pts who were completely out of it.

But it's made me wonder what happens when you're assaulted by a patient who is with it? Obviously report to the charge, but then what? Call 911? And this might be dumb, but what about HIPPA?

I'd love to hear from those of you who have reported your assault.

Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg, ED, Psych.

I think assault and battery overrides HIPAA and any competant judge will dismiss the HIPAA B.S. in favor of your own personal welfare and personal rights

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