Any state hospital nurses?

Oldmahubbard · Jul 17, 2019

I was at CNYPC for a number of years. Yes, there was a great deal of controversy about when to force medication on patients. Don't even get me started about the cameras, although that was mostly security staff who were known to rough people up back in the day. We worked with inmates, adding greatly to the intensity.

Those state hospital beds and jobs have gone away for the most part in my state. There is no long term psych hospitalization anymore

workingot · Aug 10, 2019

25 years here at state hospital. hospital wants the hold/restraint numbers to look good, so we are discouraged from doing those. patients can sucker punch staff, get a few more licks in, and when help arrives, as long as patient stops, they will have no consequences for harming staff. its a joke among patients, about 25% of whom are already deemed incompetent to stand trial, so they could kill staff and never even be charged. we have alot of staff injuries, ( I have had several broken bones in 25 years). the rare staff who presses charges is ostracized, pulled to different ward everyday, made miserable. and the cases are almost always thrown out of court. there are hospital police, but they never see patients or come on ward during violent episodes, they patrol lobby, parking lot etc. administration pays lip service to our safety concerns and fires staff when staff occassionaly have to fight back to keep from getting killed ( many of our patients are murderers, some have killed several people). its bad sometimes. staff are on camera and audio every minute, and patients know they can do whatever, hit staff, kick, spit, grab staffs breasts or crotch, ANYTHING, with no consequences. im trying to retire soon but it sucks for those that have years to go. we are a non union state with no power to collectively bargain, so its hard to negotiate with management.

DCubed · Sep 12, 2019

On 8/10/2019 at 9:28 AM, workingot said:
25 years here at state hospital. hospital wants the hold/restraint numbers to look good, so we are discouraged from doing those. patients can sucker punch staff, get a few more licks in, and when help arrives, as long as patient stops, they will have no consequences for harming staff. its a joke among patients, about 25% of whom are already deemed incompetent to stand trial, so they could kill staff and never even be charged. we have alot of staff injuries, ( I have had several broken bones in 25 years). the rare staff who presses charges is ostracized, pulled to different ward everyday, made miserable. and the cases are almost always thrown out of court. there are hospital police, but they never see patients or come on ward during violent episodes, they patrol lobby, parking lot etc. administration pays lip service to our safety concerns and fires staff when staff occassionaly have to fight back to keep from getting killed ( many of our patients are murderers, some have killed several people). its bad sometimes. staff are on camera and audio every minute, and patients know they can do whatever, hit staff, kick, spit, grab staffs breasts or crotch, ANYTHING, with no consequences. im trying to retire soon but it sucks for those that have years to go. we are a non union state with no power to collectively bargain, so its hard to negotiate with management.

Lord, that is really some scary stuff. Hats off to you for sticking it out this long, workingot.

SarahMaria, MSN, RN · Oct 19, 2019

On 8/10/2019 at 9:28 AM, workingot said:
25 years here at state hospital. hospital wants the hold/restraint numbers to look good, so we are discouraged from doing those. patients can sucker punch staff, get a few more licks in, and when help arrives, as long as patient stops, they will have no consequences for harming staff. its a joke among patients, about 25% of whom are already deemed incompetent to stand trial, so they could kill staff and never even be charged. we have alot of staff injuries, ( I have had several broken bones in 25 years). the rare staff who presses charges is ostracized, pulled to different ward everyday, made miserable. and the cases are almost always thrown out of court. there are hospital police, but they never see patients or come on ward during violent episodes, they patrol lobby, parking lot etc. administration pays lip service to our safety concerns and fires staff when staff occassionaly have to fight back to keep from getting killed ( many of our patients are murderers, some have killed several people). its bad sometimes. staff are on camera and audio every minute, and patients know they can do whatever, hit staff, kick, spit, grab staffs breasts or crotch, ANYTHING, with no consequences. im trying to retire soon but it sucks for those that have years to go. we are a non union state with no power to collectively bargain, so its hard to negotiate with management.

I have been at a state forensic psychiatric hospital for 6 years. Fortunately, we are union. What you are describing pretty much is what I go through daily.

Did you say you had audio on your unit? How is that legal unless everyone signs a release.