Enough with the violence

[Pinky Nepal]

I work on a concurrent disorders unit {addictions/acute mental health}. We have had one hell of a year. We had an off service admission for 8 months {an adult autistic male high on the spectrum that was extremely violent}. Here, I find myself, one of the last 2 full time RNs on my team. The rest have either quit or gone on disability. Everyone is burnt out and suffering from massive PTSD. There's only so many times you can barricade yourself in another patients room to escape a serious physical assault or even death. I just don't know what to do. My specialty is my passion. It just seems like management and some of my junior colleagues seem to think that this crap is acceptable. WTH??? I only received 16 hours of CPI training. I am not a police officer, security officer or corrections officer. I am a highly educated health care provider. Can someone offer me their opinion? I'm feeling on an island with my thought process

[verene, MSN]

That level of violence is unacceptable, and if management doesn't see a problem with losing all of their staff to disability, PTSD, and unwillingness to take the abuse that is a huge problem, and unfortunately one you are not likely to solve on your own. You can either try to join forces with other staff to make change (which is unlikely to happen if this is entrenched culturally as acceptable) or you can leave for a better work environment.

You could also report the facility to the state ombudsman / JACHO or appropriate licensing agency re: unsafe work conditions and lack of safety for patients (I'm assuming if staff are being assaulted patients are also at risk, and patient risk generally gets response) as sometimes the threat of being shutdown/losing accreditation is enough to make management change course - but this can also make life MUCH more stressful in the short-term while investigation/changes take place.

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

I'm sorry you're going through this.

For me? I would get out ASAP before I lose a limb or my license. We are nurses, not saviors. TBH I have zero faith in hospital management or doctors. If I want to make changes, I would wait until I am in management and out of harms way. One of my friends put up with this kind of environment and now she's at risk for being sued after a sentinel event. The hospital didn't hesitate a minute to fire her and she was devastated and developed panic attacks.

There are many outpatient psych facilities (or correctional facilities) that are safer and you will still take caring for psych patients. If you get burnt out or have to go on disability, you're not doing patients any favors.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Why are you and your staff barricading yourself in rooms? Where is your support staff. CPI training is simply not adequate for the situation you are in . You need MAB training and the confidence to use the skills taught. I work in acute locked psych and actually feel safer than I did in med/surg.

Why is your patient not being appropriately medicated?

If not competent - get a court order to medicate. This is also for the patient's safety.

Agree with other posters here. If your management does not support common sense safety - then get out. Come work for us we have great teamwork, no bullies, and reasonable pay and good management.

Hppy