How to wear name badge on inpt. psych unit

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

  • by HAWKIRN
    Specializes in Psychiatric, Addiction.

Hi guys,

Just curious to see what people tend to utilize to display name tag/keys. Break away lanyards, safety pins directly to scrubs, etc. Any and all recommendations appreciated! I'm having a difficult time figuring out my best option, keeping both myself and the pt. safe. It will be an inpt. geropsych. unit if that makes a difference to anyone..

Thanks!

Davey Do

10,476 Posts

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

I work predominately on a Geri-Psych unit and wear a Retractable Key Holder for my Keys and Badge.

osmer-rr901-retractable-id-card-holder-with-strap.jpg

angelabLPN

30 Posts

I plan on using the same type of badge holder as above. I start May 5th

puffinsrule

42 Posts

I use the clip on/retractable for my badge and a breakaway lanyard for my keys.

elkpark

14,633 Posts

I've always worn the badge pinned to my clothing, and kept my keys in my pocket. Every time I see people with keys on a long lanyard hanging out of their pocket (which you see a lot), around their necks, etc., I think about how easy it would be for a client to grab the keys in that situation.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

4 Articles; 7,907 Posts

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I wear my badge on breakaway lanyard. I try to avoid retractable lanyards when possible as it's a potential weapon should a patient get hold of it.

Keys are in my pocket AT ALL TIMES. The last thing I want to do is dangle keys in front of a patient that may not particularly want to be a patient.

MrChicagoRN, RN

2,597 Posts

Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Retractable badge holder

Keys in side pocket. Keys are the only things ever in that pocket, so I don't have to worry about anything falling out when I take out my keys.

Specializes in Emergency Department.

When I did my psych rotation, I wore my badge on a standard clip, not a retractable one nor a lanyard (even if breakaway). My keys were either in a pocket or clearly out of bounds/reach for an easy grab by a patient. Usually they were in a pocket though. As to the name badge itself, I just covered up my last name with some kid-friendly stickers.

Basically I kept anything that could be used as an easy weapon off my person and that included buttons that you pin to your uniform.

HAWKIRN

10 Posts

Specializes in Psychiatric, Addiction.

Thanks for the responses everyone. MrChicagoRN, brilliant idea only keeping the keys and nothing else in one specific pocket. I'll definitely be utilizing that suggestion.

PG2018

1,413 Posts

Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

I wear mine in my pocket. ;) Surprisingly no one has ever said anything to me about not having it displayed.

WillyNilly

127 Posts

Badge is on a retractable clip. Keys are clipped on a hook with a short lanyard to the inside of my pocket so they are never left behind and no one can easily take them. When going in to an emergency situation, my badge is secured away prior to entering the room so it does not get grabbed-same with keys.

oceanblue52

462 Posts

Great question. I wear my name badge on an alligator-like clip on my shirt/scrub pocket. My workplace then provides one of those coiled wristbands w/ a keyring so I can either wear keys around my arm or keep them tucked away in a pocket. My nurse manager despises breakaway lanyards ("what if the mechanism fails and you're getting choked?" is her lecture whenever she sees these on our staff, and she's told us a few stories)...At a previous job I had the little clip on badges (people posted pictures of earlier) where the keys are attached to a lanyard that spools from the inside. Main problem with these is that they are not firmly attached and a patient could grab them if they are really savvy. And man they fall off easily if not properly secured. Not what I want on a psych unit. Get one of the coil bracelet things if you can; they are so smart!

TL,DR: Separate your keys from your badge: Keep keys in pocket away from patients and secure your name badge in a way that reduces risk of harm to you. Safety first in a psych facility!!

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