Alabama nurse killed...

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If you have any form of an electronic device, then I am sure you have all heard that a nurse manager was killed in Alabama. Another healthcare worker was wounded and apparently the guy who committed the murder, then turned the gun on himself.

It is so sad day after to day to read multiple articles on nurse violence. A career that literally was built on selflessness and respect is now one of the highly most targeted when it comes to violent acts against workers.

This is my question, should hospitals have metal detectors? Obviously you cannot rely on stricter gun laws, since criminals will find guns one way or another, but what are some other way to decrease nurse violence?

I know security officers are amazing and quite helpful (especially in the ER); however, they have no clue if someone is carrying a gun.

Do any of you guys have any opinions on what hospitals can do to better protect their nurses? If so, drop some opinions below:

XO Alex

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

According to one article I read, the hospital did have metal detectors & they haven't figured out how the person got the gun into the hospital.

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According to one article I read, the hospital did have metal detectors & they haven't figured out how the person got the gun into the hospital.

Oh my gosh, really?? I didn't read that in the one I had read. I have yet to go to a hospital that has metal detectors. Have you ever been in one that does?

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Oh my gosh, really?? I didn't read that in the one I had read. I have yet to go to a hospital that has metal detectors. Have you ever been in one that does?

Our county hospital has them.

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That hospital does have metal detectors and they were in use, however there are numerous other ways of getting into the building without passing metal detectors or security.

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Oh my gosh, really?? I didn't read that in the one I had read. I have yet to go to a hospital that has metal detectors. Have you ever been in one that does?

Every single one I set foot in, in NYC if memory serves me right. Especially in the Bronx.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

It might be nice to at least have a "Panic button" installed at the nurses station for Law Enforcement to be notified. I saw this happen in our MN hospital a while back on the news:

This is frightening.....

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Specializes in NICU.

It seems that real commando security is a low priority for many hospitals,and no not all nyc hospitals have metal detectors.The security team is a joke,you call them and then they put your life in danger asking out loud who called?

Finally a panic button was installed and everyone got to watch video on active shooter.Some Joke,pathetic that now they want to have open visitation 24/7 for anyone ,because they want the happy patient reviews.They do not care that this brings in problems with safety and infection control.The ER is bad but sick,emotionally disturbed,paranoid patients and visitors make it toss up when staff will be next.

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I had not heard or read about this: Police: Disgruntled worker killed nurse in Alabama hospital - Chicago Tribune

I don't think metal detectors would have helped, because generally, aren't those only for patients and visitors, not staff?

I think there is already a debate about certain weapons in the United States. Expect these types of incidents to continue to happen as they do every single day in the U.S. Continue to wonder when you or someone you know will be next until Americans have had enough.

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Obviously you cannot rely on stricter gun laws, since criminals will find guns one way or another, but what are some other way to decrease nurse violence?

Point of contention. How would we really know about an effect of stricter gun laws? There was an assault weapons ban that was allowed to expire in 2005, but this murder wasn't committed with an assault weapon.

Also, sometimes these "criminals" weren't criminals until they one day decided to shoot people. Adam Lanza of Sandy Hook, Stephen Paddock of Las Vegas and Nikolas Cruz of Parkland didn't have criminal records. Just sayin.

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