leaving work at night?

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ok this might sound really stupid but i just have to ask, i am in nursing school now an might be getting a job as a NA at a hospital for the 3-11 shift until i become a RN. Now the hospital isnt in a good area at all really i mean it could be worse but its not the best anyway. Dos anyone else find it weird when leaving work at night to be walking through the parking lots like the ones with muliple floors (im going blank and cant think of the name of them)? If so, how do you deal with it? And did that worrying go away after a while?

Im not really scared but when i have been there before late at night and NOBODY is ever around in the parking area, on the streets, or really even walking around the hospital unless your on a specific floor. It just freaks me out a little.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

At the hospital were I work, you can have security drive you to your car

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I've had this sort of problem. The best thing you can do is make some kind of arrangement with another person to escort you or at least walk with you part of the way or look for you at a certain time. Get a can of pepper spray and learn how to use it if allowed in your state. Always be alert. Drape your purse or bag strap across your shoulder and body. Clutch your keys in one hand with one key protruding between your fingers, makes for a crude knife, if needed. Have a little flashlight on your keychain. Have a big, 'ol whistle. Travel light so it is easier to run. Park as close to good spots as you can. There might be other ideas to help. Look for a self defense course to get other ideas. HTH

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I had security walk me out.

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We didn't have security at facilities where I worked. Whenever we had a male nurse or CNA, they would act as our makeshift security man. None of them minded.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

We called security and they would go out with us as a group of 4 or 5.

But once before the parking garage I went out alone and this group of teens started harassing me. I felt an arm on my shoulder and the biggest biker dude I ever saw said "little lady you are taking such good care of my mama let me walk you to your car." The teens took off like rabbits.

Call security and insist.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

Yup, call security or walk out in large groups. My hospital is in a moderately good area, but we've had beaucoups of problems with employees (especially 2nd shifters who get off at 11ish) getting mugged over the years. And not just one or two people to walk you out - we had 2 women get mugged once. I mean, really.

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I've had this sort of problem. The best thing you can do is make some kind of arrangement with another person to escort you or at least walk with you part of the way or look for you at a certain time. Get a can of pepper spray and learn how to use it if allowed in your state. Always be alert. Drape your purse or bag strap across your shoulder and body. Clutch your keys in one hand with one key protruding between your fingers, makes for a crude knife, if needed. Have a little flashlight on your keychain. Have a big, 'ol whistle. Travel light so it is easier to run. Park as close to good spots as you can. There might be other ideas to help. Look for a self defense course to get other ideas. HTH

Well I guess u can never be too prepared. Better safe than sorry.

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Do you all finish shift around the same time? We walk out together. There are heaps of people around at shift change times. The problem comes when you leave later than everyone else.

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Specializes in LTC, Disease Management, smoking Cessati.

Had a nursing instructor walk out with us one night, and she taught us to keep a key through our fingers to use and to go for an eye if necessary, to walk down the middle of the street if there were bushes by the sidewalks and to try to go in a group and make lots of noise... i've never forgotten that advice...

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I remember many years ago working in downtown Seattle. There was no where to park unless you wanted to pay $10 a night to park nearby. I usually had to walk 4-6 blocks to work and had to report to work at 11pm. There were no security at this facility. I remember one night I was just getting ready to get out of my car to start walking to my job. A drunk guy jumped on the front of my car and started banging on my front windshield. I was absolutely terrified. I started my car and drove towards him. I was going to run him over if I had to. When he realized what I was ready to do he sobered up real quick and ran away. I was so happy when I quit that job. :yeah:

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Well I guess u can never be too prepared. Better safe than sorry.

I did not mention my serious protection that is always on me. It came out of my pocket one night when a man felt he had to double back to follow me around in the dark. I made sure he saw what I had and went on my way with no further following from him that night.

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