Ex-patient shoots dialysis center nurse [NY]

I find it very disturbing to hear about this. If you can step back and look over what the Nursing Profession has turned into you will see that WE HAVE TO SMILE AT ALL COSTS, NOT VIOLATE ANY HIPPA VIOLATIONS IN FEAR OF OUR JOBS!! NOT RESPOND TO INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY STAFF, ADMINISTRATION, AND OR PATIENTS. Our Nursing profession has become a hospitality realated industry. Many times I have seen nurses be called in because they didn't smile at a patients family member, or when there were too many visitors in a room disturbing other patients we asked quietly if they could be alittle less noisey. The nursing supervisors always ask WHAT you did NOT WHAT was the problem. This puts nursing always on the defence, It's better to just SMILE AWAY. Sad thought, but our patient satisfaction is what matters not our skill as PROFESSIONAL NURSES!

yes,
That is the truth. I work in a psychiatric hospital now, but I was hit by patients and more often than not abused verbally by patients and family members more often in an acute care hospital.. Its sad and very disturbing all together.

I work in an acute care setting-a CVICU. I have been hit, punched, spit at, and called all names you can imagine. At least in a psych. facility you can somewhat understand the behavior. It is not right anywhere for nurses to put up with what we do. I also worked in a dialysis unit for three years. We had many patients that were "kicked out" for non-compliance, not showing up, or abusive behavior. This was in a very urban facility also. Sure we were scared, but security was notified as well as the police dept. as to what was going on. When the pt. attempted to seek treatment at another local or not local facility we would inform them of our decision. Never had a pt. come back. This is a very sad situation and as nurses we have to start protecting ourselves. Recently at the facility I work at pt.'s have now found that if they are not happy with their care they turn around and try to sue. As a charge nurse I have taken action to have my nurses document all "crazy" behavior and have the family come in immediately! This protects us when they say "I was abused"...family is there to see the craziness and we are protected. I never thought my profession would be so volatile. Sorry if I am ranting..but this story disturbs me and there is no excuse for it!!!

Instead of turning him away, why wasn't he referred to the local mental hospital? One of the requirements is "danger to self or others", they would have found a room for him, and this could have been avoided. Ignoring the problem does not solve it, only delays...