How to wear name badge on inpt. psych unit

Davey Do · Apr 16, 2014

I work predominately on a Geri-Psych unit and wear a Retractable Key Holder for my Keys and Badge.

angelabLPN · Apr 16, 2014

I plan on using the same type of badge holder as above. I start May 5th

puffinsrule · Apr 16, 2014

I use the clip on/retractable for my badge and a breakaway lanyard for my keys.

elkpark · Apr 16, 2014

I've always worn the badge pinned to my clothing, and kept my keys in my pocket. Every time I see people with keys on a long lanyard hanging out of their pocket (which you see a lot), around their necks, etc., I think about how easy it would be for a client to grab the keys in that situation.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

I wear my badge on breakaway lanyard. I try to avoid retractable lanyards when possible as it's a potential weapon should a patient get hold of it.

Keys are in my pocket AT ALL TIMES. The last thing I want to do is dangle keys in front of a patient that may not particularly want to be a patient.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Apr 16, 2014

Retractable badge holder

Keys in side pocket. Keys are the only things ever in that pocket, so I don't have to worry about anything falling out when I take out my keys.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 16, 2014

When I did my psych rotation, I wore my badge on a standard clip, not a retractable one nor a lanyard (even if breakaway). My keys were either in a pocket or clearly out of bounds/reach for an easy grab by a patient. Usually they were in a pocket though. As to the name badge itself, I just covered up my last name with some kid-friendly stickers.

Basically I kept anything that could be used as an easy weapon off my person and that included buttons that you pin to your uniform.

HAWKIRN · Apr 17, 2014

Thanks for the responses everyone. MrChicagoRN, brilliant idea only keeping the keys and nothing else in one specific pocket. I'll definitely be utilizing that suggestion.

PG2018 · Apr 18, 2014

I wear mine in my pocket. Surprisingly no one has ever said anything to me about not having it displayed.

WillyNilly · Apr 18, 2014

Badge is on a retractable clip. Keys are clipped on a hook with a short lanyard to the inside of my pocket so they are never left behind and no one can easily take them. When going in to an emergency situation, my badge is secured away prior to entering the room so it does not get grabbed-same with keys.

oceanblue52 · Apr 19, 2014

Great question. I wear my name badge on an alligator-like clip on my shirt/scrub pocket. My workplace then provides one of those coiled wristbands w/ a keyring so I can either wear keys around my arm or keep them tucked away in a pocket. My nurse manager despises breakaway lanyards ("what if the mechanism fails and you're getting choked?" is her lecture whenever she sees these on our staff, and she's told us a few stories)...At a previous job I had the little clip on badges (people posted pictures of earlier) where the keys are attached to a lanyard that spools from the inside. Main problem with these is that they are not firmly attached and a patient could grab them if they are really savvy. And man they fall off easily if not properly secured. Not what I want on a psych unit. Get one of the coil bracelet things if you can; they are so smart!

TL,DR: Separate your keys from your badge: Keep keys in pocket away from patients and secure your name badge in a way that reduces risk of harm to you. Safety first in a psych facility!!