Vedder316

Our population is mainly severe schizophrenia. They usually are at our facility for approximately a year though some much longer. We have eight beds in our facility. We step in constantly verbally but cannot physically remove them from each other. They know we can do nothing so they keep doing the behavior.

Thank you all for the responses. I have been ill the past 4 days so I apologize for the delay. Yes we are told that they (the patients) are here for the reasons of my concern and that we are unable to do anything about the bullying and horseplay due to not being able to "punish" or have "consequences". I have taken the adding interventions to treatment plans but when the residents see that they can go back and refuse treatment it is only successful for short periods of time. I will be taking the matter up the management chain and if that doesn't work I will be going to the county/area on aging.

I currently have been working as an LPN at a long term locked residential psychiatric facility for five years. Recently we have seen an increase in what I believe is patient on patient abuse. I wanted to get some advice from the community here. Frequently our "bully residents" are harassing verbally and and placing their hands on others that do not want to be touched. It is usually is just horse play but often one party expresses that they do not want to be touched. Our hands are tied because we are told we cannot implement and sort of consequences for any type of behavior. When the residents see that the are no consequences for their actions it quickly becomes a free for all. I understand we as staff will have to deal with this but it is my feeling that the patients should not have to worry about being touched or verbally harassed by other patients. We are told by management that this behavior is baseline for the residents. We are also told that if they could follow direction and keep their hands to them selves they would not be here. I know that the bullying and the harassing is effecting some of the patents who want to take their treatment seriously and try and get better. In fact we have had several patients decompensate from what I believe is the harassment going on. As nurses are we not obligated to report what we believe is to be abuse or harassment? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

It is a damn shame that it seems to be the norm to be a nurse and have been assaulted on the job. Where the hell are our rights?

Is it fair to be assaulted and have your company say you cannot press charges? I work in a locked residential facility for mental health patients and I am assaulted weekly. They are on a 302 commitment. If we press charges we loose our position. Rubbish!

I am an LPN @ a locked residential facility for mentally ill patients. I have been there for three years and have enjoyed my job up until recently. We have a new batch of residents that are constantly threatening, touching and flat out assaulting me. It is a "hands off" facility and PRN medication for agitation etc is rarely accepted. What are my rights as a nurse regarding the inappropriate touching, and assaults? These patients are all mainly on a 302 compliment and court ordered to be there for at least 90 days. I understand that in this line of work I will be touched, threatened and occasionally assaulted but it is happening almost daily and with out any repercussion to the patients. I am willing to tolerate it because it is a great paying job and I do enjoy working with that demographic, but the few patients that constantly are acting like this I would like to know what I can do. Management states we cannot do anything about it as we will infringe on their "rights". Things are almost unsafe at this point. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Take care. Matt

Couldn't of said it any better. Nurses are Patient advocates. We need to stand up and say enough is enough! But unfortunately standing up for what is "right" usually get you labeled as a complainer and makes you life hell when dealing with management. But I'll be damned if iam going to let lazy management jeopardize my nursing license and more importantly the wellbeing of my patients.

Again if this is happening all the time and nothing is done blame not the person calling off/coming in late, blame your place of employment. Parents shouldn't be given special rules I %100 agree with that. When your employer lets this happen it jeopardizes the safety of the care that you give to the patients. If you employer does not recognize this I would not feel comfortable working for them. Its not worth you loosing your licenses because they do care what goes on.

If management does nothing and you have expressed that it is a safety matter to your patients and your license, then I wouldn't feel too comfortable working for that place. What does that say about your employer if you tell them there is a safety concern for your patients and nothing is done? You think they care about you license?

I do agree that some people abuse the "sick child card" but that is for management to worry about. Iam a new nurse that has just started the field but I have been in the health care field for some time. One question I have is, Why do people worry more about coworker ongoings/personal lives than they do their own jobs/work performance/patients? I have found that if I worry only about MY job and personal life that things go alot easier. If other peoples' tardiness and absenteeism are effecting you by causing you to stay and cover them frequently its not the fault of the person in question, its the fault of the facility that you work for. I have read many times in this thread "You choose to be a nurse" ect. I think that applies to EVERYONE.

So you say the Saunders Comprehensive review for the NCLEX-PN Examination is a good book to go by? This is the book I have.. http://images.bestwebbuys.com/muze/books/25/9781416000525.jpg So i should focus attention on test taking strategies for the NCLEX. Also I have read the KAPLAN book is a good book to have. Thanks for your info and the well wishes.

Hello I just graduated last Friday and I'm preparing to study for the "states" Does anyone recommend and books or software for studying? I have the Saunders 3rd edition review book but find it difficult studying from it. I also have Silverstri cd that came with the book. I have taken all the tests and quizes on the cd and have bombed most of them. I also am not doing so well on the tests in the book. I am getting pretty nervous my NCLEX is in 4 weeks. Any recommendations on a good book or program to study from would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!