How much Verbal Abuse should a nurse take from a PATIENT?

Nurses Safety

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I have just started a new home health care case. My client is a well to do person and treats the other nurses and myself like DIRT... Constant verbal abuse is a norm from this client.

We have been called the "w" word for prostitute, the "s" word for loose woman, the "B" word for female dog and worse.

the last shift I worked this client pulled my hair, slapped at me, sniped, spit and was totally "with it" during every episode.

This client's tounge is like a two sided razor and I'm needing advice on how to Doctument the abuse with out being personal, catty or unprofessional.

HELP!!!!

I work in LTC and I am abused verbally and sometimes physically almost every day! I document...So and so hit, slapped, called ----, writer during med pass or cares. If all shifts document this kind of abuse, MD is alerted and meds are adjusted.

Shygirl

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Psych nurse here...

If the problem is language only, your patient may be having verbal tics like Tourette's. (pulling other people's hair isn't a Tourette's symptom though!!!)

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Originally posted by micro

please forgive me all......

but just to post my opinion........

when we choose to nurse and care and be so close to people this closely.......

we place ourselves so closely to them.....that we are going to exposed to verbosity and verbal emotions and verbal onslaughts............more than less.......

if this is TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM FOR YOU......maybe think about time to take time off or change what you do......

cause

"When you care so deeply and so closely to another human being.....in the midst of their suffering and fear......you are their nearest target..............and I say.......get over it.......or get out....."

that is why you can not be a NURSE 24/7 or "even care" all the time.........

because when you are the nurse you must take it all'''

maybe just an idealist..........

anyway micro and out

I agree that we are closest to the pt in the most intense of times... I agree and can LUMP IT ... I accredit their behavior to the pts reaction to stress.... but... Due to the fact that in order for me the NURSE to be able to continue caring for these poor unfortunate people in their time of need..I DRAW THE LINE at physical abuse..I WILL document...I will NOT tolerate it...I will keep myself safe. Vitamin A and Vitamin H work wonders in relieving stress for patients and Mental health consults some times clear things up when no medical prob. exist... I will state to the parient exactly what I will not tolerate, and with a caring attitude. I will NOT take it ALL.. Just as I wear gloves for I know I am at risk for bodily fluid exposures... I will obtain restraint or seclusion orders for the patient who endangers himself or OTHERS. still love my pts...ALL of them :kiss

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originally posted by l.rae

i got called a f***ing fat lesbian bi+ch last night by a drunk who was handcuffed to his cart.....all because he wanted a drink of water. my co-worker said "why do you look upset" i said " hey, i'm not fat am i?" lol ;)

:rotfl: :lol2: :chuckle :rotfl: hilarious!

but seriously, i became a nurse to be there for people when they needed help, not to be their punching bags. treating someone that is there to help you in such a manner is unacceptable in my opinion.

heather

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The patient can talk about me personally if they want. They can get racial with me if they want. I merely remind them that they are on the wrong end of a needle to be giving me a hard time. :chuckle Seriously, I let them know that I don't appreciate verbal abuse. When they get physical, talking is done. Families, physicians,everybody is getting notified. The patient gets restrained if necessary, arrested if necessary, and I get a new assignment. Very necessary! :D

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

erdiane--I agree with the others who have pointed out that this is a simple case of assault and battery. Doesn't matter if the person is a patient or not. Make a police report and either

1) refuse to go back, or

2) go back and call the cops if anything like it happens again.

If you refuse to go back, you might also wish to look into a civil lawsuit, as this behavior cost you loss of income, etc. If you do go back, a civil lawsuit would be weakened, since you chose to enter a known dangerous environment, etc.

(Myself, I'd go the lawsuit route. Since he is well to do, you might just be able to retire early to some tropical isle.)

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

micro--you're not an idealist, but a sentimentalist. It serves no useful purpose to permit and reward this kind of dysfunctional, physically harmful, and illegal behavior, as many battered people have ultimately discovered.

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As a CNA when I've a pt particularly difficult - either physically or verbally our male co-workers are very helpful. Usually we'll ask a male CNA first (if available), if they're busy then ask the male RNs.

If we've told the person that their language is not used in this facility, and they continue, many of the guys will walk in with us and give a hand. The men pt who verbalize in a negative way usually tend to calm it down a bit if another man tells them to stop. SO FAR I've not had to contact security.

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I was an agency nurse on a private duty case. My client would get so angry, he would say things like- "I need to have intelligent conversations with intelligent people. You are just a woman and a nurse, so shut your mouth. Why don't you go and iron my shirts for me". Later in the shift, he hit me on the back of my legs with his cane, when I walked past him to prepare his meal. I called the agency and told them I would not be returning to his home and I requested to take shifts at the hospital.

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I have just started a new home health care case. My client is a well to do person and treats the other nurses and myself like DIRT... Constant verbal abuse is a norm from this client.

We have been called the "w" word for prostitute, the "s" word for loose woman, the "B" word for female dog and worse.

the last shift I worked this client pulled my hair, slapped at me, sniped, spit and was totally "with it" during every episode.

This client's tounge is like a two sided razor and I'm needing advice on how to Doctument the abuse with out being personal, catty or unprofessional.

HELP!!!!

It is a crime punishable by law. If the patient has all his/her faculties then they are liable for their actions. For people to commit assault and battery is punishable by double fines when done to a healthcare worker.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
I agree that we are closest to the pt in the most intense of times... I agree and can LUMP IT ... I accredit their behavior to the pts reaction to stress.... but... Due to the fact that in order for me the NURSE to be able to continue caring for these poor unfortunate people in their time of need..I DRAW THE LINE at physical abuse..I WILL document...I will NOT tolerate it...I will keep myself safe.

Police Officers are dealing with people at times of high stress, but if they are abused, the abuser is prosecuted at the full extent of the law.

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recently the hospital I work at did a survey of all hospital staff. It was about job satisfaction, work culture, and how one views the various management levels.

Its quite sad but the survey identified horizontal violence (abuse, harrassment etc) and violence from patients, families as the highest factor in job dissatisfaction. Now we have a project going called "building a culture of success", and looking at zero tolerance also.

i have always found that being straight up in conflict situations has served me well. Regardless of others reactions at least you know you have kept your professional integrity. :) :) :)

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