I'm writing this mainly because I just want to vent a little. I have a peds pt who is an adolescent, but BIG and strong. He's a big developmentally delayed and watches lots of cartoons. You know how in cartoons you see these exaggerated actions, like bouncing into the clouds or the feet moving at supersonic speed before the character even takes off? Well, this pt copied something he saw...one character going to another and throttling them at the throat swinging the head violently back and forth. One minute I was sitting, charting, and the next minute my head was whipping and my throat was in a vice grip. Once I realized what was happening, I was able to take his hands off, but I was rattled.
I am sure he didn't mean to hurt me. My throat is still tender, but there is no bruising. This is home health, so nobody was around, but I was firmly explaining to him that what he did was not ok when the parent walked in and heard. The parent was angry, because apparently they had told him before not to do this.
I did have a few minutes where I maybe I had a touch of PTSD from some domestic violence, and I felt sort of unreal and a bit tearful, but I was able to shake it off. The bottom line is that I am ok. I guess I just needed to write it down.
Your management needs to know about this. And if they did and didn't tell you... shame on them.
Either way when you tell them you need to ask for.
1. To be checked out by occupational health for physical injuries that may crop up later on.
2. For a debriefing to help you deal with the traumatic nature o the event (even though the patient didn't mean to hurt you, does not lessen the trauma)
3. Training paid for by the company so that you know how to better anticipate and handle these behaviors.
And do these knowing you are not trying to create problems for your patient, but helping him to receive better care from you as a nurse that takes care of herself too.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Those of us who have firsthand or secondhand experiences with domestic violence know that uncomfortable flashbacks can be triggered when incidents such as this happen.
It doesn't matter if he meant to hurt you or not, he DID. Do not see this patient again, he is only going to get bigger and stronger since he's still so young. No one is going to have your back in this besides yourself, decline all future assignments involving your attacker. Mentally disabled or not, that's just what he is; your attacker.
So sorry that you were in that situation - but I agree with the advice already out there. You should get checked out and your employer need to get you into some sort of training ASAP where you will be able to deflect / redirect those type of behaviors. It may only be a one time issue with you - but you know the potential is there for harm, either intentional or unintentional.
Also - if you haven't already, ensure you situate yourself into a position while charting where you can keep an eye on him but also not get trapped should he come at you. Sounds logical, but i've come into a lot of rooms and found caretakers cornered.
Hi, my name is Purplespider and I live in Virginia. I am so sorry that this happened to you. I have had incidents where clients hit me and I had one client who molested me as well. When these incidents happened, I told my supervisor about it immediately. She took care of the situation, but it was hard at first though telling her and revealing it over and over again. My advice to you would be to tell your supervisor immediately. You did a great job in standing up for yourself. I understand that the boy may have a disability which may cause the violence or the hitting, but it is absolutely not OK for any child even if they have a disability to hit or make fun of an adult for any reason. You did the right thing in telling him that was not a good action. You can also tell him and show him a good action instead of the action that he did so that he learns positive behavior versus negative behavior. You also should report this to your home health agency so that they know about it and perhaps get some therapy for yourself or talk to someone about the experience because the more you let your feelings out in the open, the better. I wish you the best. Purplespider, CNA
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Those of us who have firsthand or secondhand experiences with domestic violence know that uncomfortable flashbacks can be triggered when incidents such as this happen.
Again, here's a hug. (((((HUGS)))))
Hugs and sorries will not prevent the OP from being choked to death.. the next time. She is in an unsafe situation and needs to protect herself NOW.
SunnyPupRN
289 Posts
Exactly!! :)