PDN shot and killed

Specialties Private Duty

Published

I posted an article about a nurse that was killed on the job. Its under nursing news. Can't post link with my phone.

I thought a good topic would be on safety. Many of us have been in dangerous situations at work or work in dangerous areas. What do you do to be safe? I don't think new nurses or nurses new to our area of the nursing world realize the dangers of our job. I thought this would be a good topic for them to read before considering this job as well as a good topic to share tips for us more experienced nurses.

I have never heard of a private Duty nurse having an escort.

How would that work for an 8 hr shift?

I find that it does not matter the neighborhood,there is always a threat of danger.

Sometimes when i am in "rich" neighborhoods i worry about someone going postal.

We really are not allowed to carry weapons in Nj.

I do not want to risk losing my nursing license over a concealed carry offense.

Specializes in ER, Forensic Nurse, SANE.

I carry Mace/ Pepper spray with me and took a Karate / self-defense course. I do have a Conceled weapons permit but only for person use. I would never carry on the job.

* If your that concerned about the area, talk to your supervisor. Maybe 2 nurses and make a joint visit or just call the police, they will send one out and wait by the door (inside or out) while you make your visit. The police are very understanding and so is the pt. Remember the pt does want you to come back agin. Be safe!

I carry Mace/ Pepper spray with me and took a Karate / self-defense course. I do have a Conceled weapons permit but only for person use. I would never carry on the job.

* If your that concerned about the area, talk to your supervisor. Maybe 2 nurses and make a joint visit or just call the police, they will send one out and wait by the door (inside or out) while you make your visit. The police are very understanding and so is the pt. Remember the pt does want you to come back agin. Be safe!

Are you doing visits or shift work?

I am doing shift work in the home(anything from 6 to 16 hrs) and i doubt we would get a police escort. Most of us on this board are doing shift work.

I have a gun carry permit, but it's against company policy take it a patient's home during my 12 hr shift. I still carry it inside. I have a family that expects me to come home to them. I would never use it unless I was truly in a life threatening situation.

When I was looking for my first job, there was a listing for a sample collection/vital collection nurse for patients that were in out-patient mandated drug rehabilitation programs. The duties included periodic travel to the home of the addict to collect blood and urine specimens (and vitals), without escort. The salary listed was fantastic, but there was no way I would consider a job that required me to go into a drug addicts home to collect samples. Not only could I see the potential for violence and resistance from the patient, but nearly all of those mandated by the court into the program associated with other addicts and dealers.

Definitely not a situation for me. :no:

I do a 2hr early AM visit from 0400-0600 in a "not so great" neighborhood full of crack homes in a small lil ally. My fiancé worries about my safety every morning I walk out of my house. It just doesn't sit well with him to have me out there this early alone as a women. After reading this article, my chest is pounding. ..seems like I really need to do something. One morning, as I was parking a man stood in a corner watching me. I let it go thinking it was a concerned neighbor. 2nd time it happened, I brushef it off. I don't wanna wait for 3rd time...thanks for sharing!

This past July, I was in a very very very bad part of town in the Dallas area. Super nice family. They can't help where they live. Three houses down or 150 feet, there was a triple homicide. Told the family I loved them but not going back there. PCG text me a few weeks later telling me they moved.

Good news.

I stopped the case visits. Couldn't keep risking my life.

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