I'm tired of being assualted at work!!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2008

If you're truly tired of being assaulted and battered while at work, then it is time to resign from this current place of employment. Run (don't walk) as far away as possible from this job, because you are deserving of a safer, less assaultive environment without the threat of physical injury. Being beaten while at work is not normal, and it shouldn't be tolerated by you.

I used to work PRN at a small community psychiatric hospital in 2006 as a medication nurse, and I was never physically assaulted or battered by any of the patients there.

skipaway · Jan 4, 2008

Call the police, file a complaint (against the patient and your employer) and get out of that situation.

leslie :-D · Jan 4, 2008

I later found out that this wasn't his first violent episode. WHY WASN'T HE RESTRAINED, OR AT LEAST THEY COULD HAVE WARNED ME. I was told he was a sweet little man and he wouldn't give me any problem. Yet I end up in the ER with a mild concussion and several cuts and bruises.

the bold (emphasis, mine) is what i find inexcusable.

the hospital should, at the very least, be paying your med'l expenses.

especially where this wasn't the first time AND they told you he wouldn't give you any problems.

i'm sorry this happened to you.

it seems, it could have been diverted to an extent.

leslie

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Jan 4, 2008

I was a sitter and something similar happened to me. Sat with a little old man who "was the sweetest thing ever" called me over to fix his pillow and clocked me in the jaw. My first reaction was to shock. As I was standing back up he came in for the next swing I grabbed his arm and screamed for a nurse. She comes running in and I tell her what happened and she said that this was the third time he had hit someone. WTH. She went and called the MD after and got a restraint order because no one had said anything to him about it. I got checked out and was fine except for a sore jaw because it messed with my TMJ. I went to the DON and told him what happened and stated that from now on I wanted to know what my patients history was and if I had to look in the chart myself I would because I wanted to protect myself from being assaulted again. I also made sure I asked the nurses and the aides about the the patient because the sitters that I would replace were usually not good with important info other than them needing assistance with ADL's. After that I never put myself in that position again if they wanted me to do something near them I always make sure I stay just out of reach and keep one eye on the paient. If I know the have a history of violence or are aggitated I make sure that I go in there with someone else or let them know where I am and to keep and ear out just in case if I have to go in alone. Even if there's no report of the patient being violent doesn't mean you can't be the first.

I swear I felt safer in the psych ward than dealing with the little old people because they have strength when they want to and at least in psych they had security and everything was viewable from the nurse station.

It's

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Jan 4, 2008

I forgot to add it's a workmans comp claim and don't let them give you any crap about it.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2008

Hi. I am a second year nursing student who is working as a sitter for the hospital while I finish school.
The last several patients I have sat with have been aggressive and threatening...which I tend to see anyway. I'm used to being slapped at, kicked at, and spit on. But last night takes the cake.
While having a conversation with my patient he all of sudden picks up the bedside phone and preceded to hit me over the head 15 or 20 times until i was on the floor.
It took the nursing staff almost five minutes to get him off of me and get me safely out of the room.
I later found out that this wasn't his first violent episode. WHY WASN'T HE RESTRAINED, OR AT LEAST THEY COULD HAVE WARNED ME. I was told he was a sweet little man and he wouldn't give me any problem. Yet I end up in the ER with a mild concussion and several cuts and bruises.
Has anyone else had similar experiences with patients and how did you handle it?

I have never had an experience like that.

Did you receive any training from your facility before becomming a sitter? Our hospital trains employees in ways to protect themselves. (ie - getting out of the way when the situation escalates).

I agree with the poster who said to press charges. Do it tonight. Police departments have a headquarters officer 24/7. Call the non-emergency number and talk to the HQ officer. He or she will direct you in how to proceed.

My safety is paramount. If this patient was biting and kicking at you, that was the time to get help. You are not obligated to be *anyone's* punching bag - ever. Walk away and call security to get the four point restraints (my facility requires security for four points).

There are so many breakdowns in the system here. I'd start with the police, and I'd file a formal complaint with the hospital as well.

Find another job, pronto. Nothing is worth you becomming injured. Your safety is more important than a job.

Blee (who still has her angry on after a long, rough shift...)

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2008

My hospital uses sitters and I am APPALLED the staff would treat you this way.....If a patient has been up and down, problematic, etc....I am more than happy to tell the sitter, "hey, x has been up and down a lot tonight, he's swearing, he swings, etc....If he starts acting up, tell me and we'll deal with it..." I would not hide that from you.....RUN, don't walk, away from that place, and contact the VP of nursing care....I'm sure that's a wonderful thing they'd like to have advertised about the hospital.....They should pay your expenses, and at the very least, offer PTO or some form of compensation for your injuries.....

It's inexcusable when we forget EVERYONE is part of the team....when I don't have a sitter after 11...it's my job....and let me say that it's much easier when we have sitters.....Hope things turn out ok....:big hug: back to you!

Duflinkka · Jan 4, 2008

I've never been a sitter, but I've been assaulted more times than I can count in LTC. Those little old folks with Alzheimer's can really pack a punch.

Candy303 · Jan 4, 2008

Thanks for everyone's responses. I sent an email to my boss asking him to address the need for a more "complete report" when we sitters come on. It seems we don't get much background info and we don't usually see a nurse until eight thirty or nine when they come to do there assessments.

I also questioned why we don't recieve training on how to best handle these types of situations. I felt so unprepared and honestly had NO clue what I could and couldn't do to defend myself. So I didn't do anything.

I'm hoping something in the way of extra training or better communication will come of this.

Thanks again.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2008

you are not just kidding. i have been a alzheimer's nurse all of my career. i have had furniture thrown at me, been assaulted by several wanna be mike tyson's and almost been stabbed. this of course is in lock down , cause i like it spicy lol:uhoh3:...

i've never been a sitter, but i've been assaulted more times than i can count in ltc. those little old folks with alzheimer's can really pack a punch.

Scrubby · Jan 4, 2008

I feel very angry after reading your post. Sounds like an appalling experience....

Someone else has already brought this up but have you considered pressing charges against this patient? Just because someone is in hospital doesn't meant they have the rights to assault you.