Nurse pressing charges

[Girlygirl69]

55 y/o male just finds out he has terminal CA. RN comes in room to administer meds and pt becomes verbally then physically abusive. Patient throws meal tray at RN hitting her in the face. No permanent damage just a really swollen black eye. Pt is deemed alert and oriented times three, would you press charges?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Yep. BTDT.

FYI -- you do not need anyone's "permission" to do this.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I deem this a homework assignment

[Girlygirl69]

You deemed wrong. Lol, I was just thinking that maybe I'm cruel but I would press charges to the fullest extent of the law. I just wanted to know if I was the only one feeling this way.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

It really depends on other circumstances... whether the patient is remorseful and sincerely apologizes for what he did or whether he continues being abusive.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

You deemed wrong. Lol, I was just thinking that maybe I'm cruel but I would press charges to the fullest extent of the law. I just wanted to know if I was the only one feeling this way.

I think that the exigent circumstances would be really tough to get past- personally, I would not press charges. If this was a visitor being abusive, or even a patient, who is being discharged, and doesn't like how long the paperwork is taking- then I'd consider it. But the crisis mode the patient would be in finding out about terminal CA would override his usual behavior. jmo :)

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

It really depends on other circumstances... whether the patient is remorseful and sincerely apologizes for what he did or whether he continues being abusive.

I agree w/ Vicky. I can't imagine what would be going through my head if I was told I had CA. Is this a normally nice person or are they always an a-hole?

[Girlygirl69]

I agree w/ Vicky. I can't imagine what would be going through my head if I was told I had CA. Is this a normally nice person or are they always an a-hole?

It was just a hypothetical question

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

It really depends on other circumstances... whether the patient is remorseful and sincerely apologizes for what he did or whether he continues being abusive.

Ditto for me!

[cindyloowho]

Yes, press charges! Just cause you're sick doesn't mean you can assault anyone! I had a patient assault me as a student and I didn't press charges because I was naive and didn't want to make waves at my clinical site...I regret my decision now.

[Girlygirl69]

I'm gonna go to the supermarket and punch the cashier in the face. When I get arrested my excuse will be that my doc just told me I have gonorrhea and then I'll apologize to the cashier. Do u think I'll get off??

Bug seriously I respect how everyone feels. To each, his own

[nightengalegoddess]

I think we all need to be accountable for our behavior. This guy probably was freaking out about Ca Dx. But that doesn't give him the right to give you a black eye. This kind of stuff makes me fume. Nurses can become such targets for so much abuse. I think the public ought to know that it is NOT okay to take their anger out on nurses. And I think nurses ought to know it is NOT okay to be victims and stay quiet. I don't know the answer. I think though, if you are appaled enough about it, and it would make YOU feel validated and more human....then press charges. If you think this may be just a learning experience...ala....know when the violence is coming and get out of the way in the future....then it can be just that. I don't know. I try to get out of the room at the first signs of targeted aggression. Because I don't think I could take that and just roll over. Ya know, he is not the only one facing adversity....we may be working....may look well.....but no one knows what is going on in OUR personal lives....patients just seem to think we are dumping grounds sometimes and that really hurts. Why can't Opra do something on her network about this. She seems to be the only person people listen to these days!