Have you been assaulted by a patient?

Nurses Relations

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I think I read an article here somewhere that stated nurses are assaulted more than any other profession.

In my short 2 years as an RN, I've been assaulted (or seen other RN's assaulted) by patients MORE times than I can count (and I don't work in Psych)! I don't blame the patients who attacked me because their illnesses caused major changes in mental status and they didn't know what they were doing.

I DO, however, blame the RN's, Nursing assistants or MD's who DON'T know how to interact with these people and only make things WORSE! Do NOT snicker or giggle at a patient no matter how ridiculous their behavior might be....it doesn't help! And if a fellow nurse says "I need help in here" or "call security", please take it seriously!!!

Just curious how often this happens to others.

Specializes in ICU.
A situation happened in the LTC facility. A resident known for progressing dementia slapped a CNA full force for trying to coax her into taking her to the toilet. The Administrator decided to send the resident to a senior psych-care facility for a two week stint. Some of the nurses were very sympathetic to the resident, stating "if you just leave her alone, she would have calmed down." I wonder though, at what point should medication adjustment vs. just ignoring the behavior is best?

I've seen caregivers (CNA's, & RN's) who are overwhelmed with their patient/work-load & get aggitated with patients who don't want to cooperate or are slow to respond.

I mentioned earlier a situation where I was kicked by an elderly demeted patient. We had a nursing assistant come sit at his bedside afterwards and she was so kind and patient & understanding...the patient totally calmed down (& stopped spitting, cursing, threatening everyone). This NA was relieved for lunch by another of our NA's who gets VERY aggitated if people don't cooperate with her....within 10 minutes, my patient was hysterical again!!!

I try to be very calm, non-threatening with confused patients, but once they've pulled out their IV's (& critical drips) and are bleeding all over the place, you can't always reason with them and they see you as a threat (hence, my being kicked in the throat). I don't blame the patient; he was confused & afraid.

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Specializes in ICU.
Just recently I took care of an ER pt who was altered as a result of an OD. Pt had pulled 3 lines while in hard 4 point restraints. Pt was critical so I had to get a line in asap though help was not immediately available. I started looking for a vein trying to buy myself some time hoping my tech would soon be done with a stat ekg and come to help me hold. The curtain was wide open. As soon as the docs/providers at the station saw me put the tourniquet on the pt I had 3 at the bedside helping me hold. Our docs are awesome, but yeah, I was a little surprised. :redpinkhe they love their nurses and we love them :redpinkhe

can I come work with you????

Some of the Docs in my hospital (in ICU) ask ME to tell THEM what's wrong with their patients!!! I reply; I've been an RN for 2 years.... I believe that's YOUR job, not mine, to diagnose & treat.

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Specializes in ICU.
I've had some self defence classes with school and work (I can't remember what the euphemism they used for self defence was...) anyway they have all recommended with bites, say they bit your arm, your suppose to place your palm on the back of their head and pull them in towards you, while pushing the arm they've bitten forward.Or if your with a co-worker have them hold the person there while you use your rub your knuckle hard on their upper lip under their nose. Try it, it really hurts. The theory behind it is that it takes the feeling of control away from them which makes them more willing to listen when you tell them to let go. Does it actually work? I don't know. Is it possible to remember to do when its happening? I don't know?

I just mention it because their recommendation for when someone pulls your hair works really well when I've used it for my self and co-workers. Push their fist down on your head while pushing their knuckles down to break their fist. When I had to do it I lost some of my hair that was between their fingers, but it could have been a lot worse.

Just ideas, maybe you should talk to your workplace about self defence training for staff. BTW I mentioned this to my husband and he recommends punching them.:) What ever works for you.

How about KICK them in the Kahunas!! :lol2:

Sorry, I'm making light of a serious situation, but I couldn't resist. Your suggestions are GREAT!!! I hope I NEVER have to use any of them, but they sound very helpful. THANKS!:yeah:

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Specializes in ICU.
Been there - had it happen by both compus mentas and non compus mentas patients. Finger bitten to the bone, kicked hard enough in the SP that had another very astute nurse not been there I wouldn't be here, to having one of my breasts fractured and my genitals assualted, multiple bruises on extremities. And that was in the private sector of the nursing business. But the real problem comes from the administrative persons who "know" that if you just speak softly to these poor souls that they will see the error of their way and stop their actions, and that by the nurse tells the patient to "stop that now" that nurses are assaulting the patients. True happening.

If only these "administrative persons" were to visit the trenches more often, they might see the reality (vs their fantasies) of bedside nursing. Sorry that you've had to go through so many horrible experiences. :mad:

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

Nothing serious. I've been pinched and swatted at before. Some of these stories are quite scary and will remind to be much more cautious.

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Pushed & Punched Once...Now I don't get too close & If I am pushed I heed the warning to back off.

Spit at a few times - though it is gross and you never know... I don't freak out if I am spit at.

Simple common sense, partnering up, observing patients, and knowing that your maybe going to an OD or a Psych Case goes a long way to help in preventing any kind of incident. Now bites and needle sticks - Scary!

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Specializes in med surg, cardiac step down, rehab, geri.

in a hosp setting you have back up and you can on a md's order give injectable haldol or ativan and or place in restraints

in a medical facility with long and short term patients all of that is off limits

no security to run to our rescue and one nurse on a night shift

nursing homes are NOT the same places they were even 15 years ago they are not filled with frail old folks needing care

they are mini psych centers with no psych nurses!

elderly are in the same population with the early baby boomers who are having issues from their lifestyle( drugs and alcohol )

they come straight from a hosp bed where they were on inj haldol and in restraints to us who must treat them as if they are guests in a hotel.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Rapid Response.

A co-worker told me that she once left a code because while she was doing chest compressions a relative of the patient grabbed her by her hair and yelled "Faster, b**ch!"

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Specializes in neuro, m/s, renal, ortho, home health.
A co-worker told me that she once left a code because while she was doing chest compressions a relative of the patient grabbed her by her hair and yelled "Faster, b**ch!"

That is terrible. What family members do sometimes is soooooooooooooooo wrong!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Rapid Response.

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It doesn't help either when we make excuses for some of the patients, like

"Oh, they're just stressed out"-- I worked a unit with patients on LVADs. One A + O x 3 guy kicked a 98-pound female RN to the opposite wall and that was her response.

He bought 4-point restraints. A stressed-out jerk is still a jerk.

Blaming abusive behavior on alcohol or drugs- - any drunk in a bar who assaults someone- - patron or staff- - will certainly find themselves in a jail cell.

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Specializes in med surg, cardiac step down, rehab, geri.

I would hope she pressed charges both in criminal and civil court

are families getting crazier or am I just noticing it more?

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I have a friend who was punched in the jaw by a med/surg patient in nursing school. Her jaw was badly fractured. She went directly into correctional nursing and said she likes corrections because an officer is always with her or close by. Ironically, she feels safer in a prison than in a hospital.

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