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Discussion

Finally had the inevitable

I knew that in our highly volatile ER routinely housing 12 to 20 psych patients that the inevitable would happen. I got injured.

although I got kicked in the chest , whiplashed my neck and hit my head on the wall. I'm lucky in that it didn't appear to cause any serious injuries. I can't imagine the suffering those in this career go through when the career we rely on being the result of permanent disability.

Ive just replayed the scenario over and over, and I don't think, short of staying out of the room there is much I could have done different as it happened so fast.

My heart goes out to all of those who've be injured, and I hope that with time, we will find ways to keep all of us safer.

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    • Featured Replies

    • Experts
    I got injured.
    I am so very sorry to hear this, Nicki. Unfortunately, some of us work in figurative battlefields. Stay safe.
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    I've been injured by a psych patient. In my case it was in a small facility... the patient was so psychotic she had 2 mental health workers "watching" her 24/7.

    Have you been examined by occupational health? Are you SURE you're okay?

    How can you stay safe in the future... in THAT setting?

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    I believe that I wasn't chosen to work at a facility because during a phone interview I questioned security and if there were any psych patients and the lack of leather restraints and how are aggressive patient's managed in an ER. The charge nurse over the phone could not locate the leather restraints and I could hear some one whispering to her who is that on the phone? So they decided to go with another candidate but hopefully I saved some one from harm by at least asking the question so that they are more mindful of that risk.

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    I am so very sorry to hear this. Please take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally.

    Wishing you nothing but the best!

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    I hope you had all testing available done and that you filed a workmans comp case and probably are entitled to a medical leave of absence.

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    • Experts

    ((HUGS)) it is difficult....our jobs really stink sometimes....please tell me you filled out an incident report.

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    what a tragic event! I hope your state, like Texas, makes it a felony to assault an ER nurse. Psych or no, we need protection

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    what a tragic event! I hope your state, like Texas, makes it a felony to assault an ER nurse. Psych or no, we need protection

    However, if the patient is psychotic.... they cannot be held accountable for their behavior.

    Never crossed my mind to bring charges against the psychotic that assaulted me.

    Most certainly agree the psych patient in control of their faculties... need to be sued up the wazoo.

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    Hugs!! I'm sorry to hear you got hurt. Take care of yourself--physically and mentally

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    I'm so sorry this happened. I hope this was reported and well documented. Please take care of yourself and rest well.

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    I am so sorry! :(

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    This would make me feel a pretty good amount of trepidation about returning to work! Are you going to be okay with that? Never underestimate the power of emotional impact. Find someone to help you through that if you need to; it's as much a physiological response as a mental one.

    I've had the hair at my right temple yanked out, been bit, slapped, scratched, gouged, grabbed, and had an IV pole swung at me (he missed; I'm fast.) but have never been (and pray God I never am) LAUNCHED into the wall!

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