Nursing: Dangerous Career???

[bigq2000]

I just read an article on Yahoo's front page about a list of potentially dangerous careers. Registered nurses was on that list because of exposure to various chemicals and a risk of patients or their family members attacking them. My question to the nurses here, "Do you have any stories of patients or family members getting violent with RN's or other medical staff?"

[luvanurse7731]

I personally in the almost eleven years of nursing have had one incident that has stuck out in my mind. Last year I caught a family member of a resident stealing numerous food items from our residents snack cupboards. I told him to put the food back and that there is numerous food pantries out there if he had no access to food.He put all the food back and went back to his mothers room. I then returned to the nurses station to call the nursing supervisor and let her know what had happened. Apparently while I was on the phone with the sup,he had heard what I told her. When I got off the phone he became very angry. I then asked him to wait for the supervisor to resolve this issue. Anyway he ended up lunging at me over my med cart to hit me.I was lucky enough to have a couple of cnas redirect him before he got to me. That I will not forget.

[shawnnarae]

I used to work at a mental health facility and there I had been spit at, bitten, hit, meds smacked out of my hands. TOOOONS of verbal, emotional abuse. A night nurse that works in my current facility (LTC) was clocked in the face by a pt having a paradoxical effect to Ativan. Knocked flat on her ass. Even in nursing school, I got called a mouthful of names i don't think theyd let me post on here and then the pt tried to kick me. I knew it came with the job, you just gotta wach out and help were you can.

[SoundofMusic]

I'm not sure it can be described as "dangerous" as much as it is RISKY.

For the most part, I feel protected, and know how to protect myself. Our facility now has security thingies we're supposed to wear around our necks, but I notice no one on staff is wearing them.

I've only been a nurse for less than a year, so I haven't been abused all that much yet -- the most was by a doctor who actually layed hands on me and shook me. It was in a joking manner, but very sarcastic as well. A mild form of abuse. I learned from it, though -- and would not hesitate to turn it over to the charge nurse next time.

[ProLogic]

What do nurses usually do in a scenario in which the patient is being abusive? Can you give them a mean face?

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

What do nurses usually do in a scenario in which the patient is being abusive? Can you give them a mean face?

You mean like this?

Most of us have had some sort of nonviolent crisis intervention training. It's kind of like tai chi for crazy people.

[ProLogic]

You mean like this?

Most of us have had some sort of nonviolent crisis intervention training. It's kind of like tai chi for crazy people.

So you're not allowed to make a really mean face at them?