Attacked by patient

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:crying2::crying2:Has anyone else been physically attacked by their patient? I have been working for four years on the adolescent floor of a behavioral hospital and lately they have increased our patient load, I had 18 girls from ages 12-17 and only one MHT and I was attacked from the back, thrown to the floor and choked before anyone saw. I have a concussion and have been out for over a week, still having very bad headaches, sore muscles and severe nightmares. I am in counseling now and love my job, but am scared now that this might happen again because of poor staffing. Need help and suggestions please, prayers also. Thanks, franmermaid ( peds psych rn in louisiana)
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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

Oh My!! I hope you are feeling better......I used to work on adolescent unit. I was the only nurse and our pt. load runs from 2-14...

If I had 1-5 pts. I have one MHT with me. If I have high acuity pts or some line of sights, I usually have 2 MHT with me. I more than 9, I akways had 2 techs....I can't imagine that with 18 they would only give you l tech. You need to tell them that, for the safety of your pts. and yourself, you require more techs with such a heavy load.

Was this pt. a line of sight? or was she a new pt? History of violence? If so, then she should have been on LOS. Hope you are healing, God Bless you, I have been in close situations, but always had my techs there to help me out. I really sympathize with you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

How awful. I agree that counseling will help. However , your concerns about safe staffing is very real. If it happened once (poor staffing that is), then it can happen again.

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

So sorry to hear what happened. Wishing you the best!

Sending Prayers and Hugs your way!

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

Praying for you and sending hugs...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

So sorry to hear. You have my prayers.

Hugs, my friend.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Mental Health & Addictions.

I am so sorry to hear this happened. I work mental health & addictions. I have yet to be attacked by a pt but I know the chance is always there. I am sometimes the only nurse on the unit with up to 8 adult patients and at times they can be very unstable. Sometimes it can be a little disturbing to me that they overlook the fact that this is very unsafe for both the patients and me. I have voiced my opinion to management about this many times. Unfortunately staffing is always an issue on our unit so I know this will continue to happen until a situation like yours arises. My prayers are with you.

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Specializes in neurology.

I'm so sorry that happened to you! I work as a Mental Health Worker at an inpatient psych hospital, and I'm a senior year nursing student (I graduate with my BSN in May) and I want to be a psych nurse.

Yesterday at work I got attacked for the first time and it really upset me. An adolescent male spat in my face and kicked me in the belly - and I just had abdominal surgery 2 weeks ago! It knocked the wind out of me and I just couldn't stop crying. I had to go home early b/c I just couldn't shake it off.

I feel bad b/c the other people who work there seem able to get hit and just move on, while I feel totally traumatized and scared to go back to work tomorrow. :o

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5 assaults in 7 seven years i'm afraid. These range from kick to the groin to punch to the head.

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