robails1

hi there paddy, Allot of irish I have worked with in the past it depends where you want to work and where you want to play and where you want to drink at, is what you should ask yourself. You are frugal and you sound as if you want the best for your family and the wages are not bad and the penalties you get for working some afternoons, weekends and nights are reasonable, you have to share though and you can't have them all, like all of us they don't want to pay nurses a great deal and like oliver twist we want more. I and my wife are nurses ( D.I.N.K'S) and we have got a reasonable modest house and another one we rent with a mortgage of $440,000 (AD) two cars, boat, dog and we seem to manage all the bills and the heating it depends where you live 3-4 months a year for heating 3-4 months a year for airconditionong or fans so it all comes into perspective don't be afraid come and be one with us I was born in scotland came over as a ten year old and haven't been back yet but I will soon on a holiday so get the guts and get moving there are allot of jobs if you have the skills and if you are open minded and can take a joke or two and remember try vegemite it's tastes like bad to begin with but you get the hunger for it in time,and get some aerogard and mortein spray for the flies, mozzies and some spiders which you guys don't have. seeya soon robails1

hi jerry earthchild orca and others, It must be world wide, this phenomena of nurses being used as punching bags and no one really cares even the authorities your employer, police, sheriffs and the courts don't give a hooee about you as long as you turn up each shift and do your work. The employers have got you and you are just a number to them filling a gap on a roster and bugger me dead you choose to work with clients who can bash the be jesus out of you and if you don't like it there's the door, is their attitude. I am a professional as you, and I can thank the almighty I don't get bashed everyday but the element is there everyday, and you have to be aware of that, and although it is there makes you the nurse that you become, yes you can be scinical and stand offish and at times you shigh away from perceived conflict which can be very damaging to your relationship with your peers or collegues this by the way should be avoided. Build a relationship with your collegues so you are together in all areas so you can get the back up in the event of perceived threats and use the force which is reasonable to stop the escalation of aggression to which can become violent. I have always been there for my peers and they can always count on me remember the saying as a nurse you are a substitute for these patients /clients, parent, friend, social worker, OT, teacher and all other things, but you are not the substitute for their gym equipment. Now what you can do legally to prevent the employer from avoiding your particular issue jerry is look into your Occupational Health and Safety act or legislation which should be part of your employment and use this against them or get the union to work on your behalf to implement safe working conditions for your establishment and become a OH&S representative to bring about necessary changes to your establishment of what you guys want and that is a safe environment and use the legisilation against the employer so they become the ones who are responsible for the changes or else they are liable for all compensation in court themselves. I am in the process of fighting a case in the industrial court for wrongful dismissal or unfair dismissal at the moment, a client I was caring for who was verbally aggressive to me with threats and abuse all morning and after me defusing 2 separate incidents prior to the main incident I perceived the threat he was going to clock me with a stainless steel tray or throw hot water over me, I tried to move him away from the area of risk and as I did I connected with him and as a result he tripped over his feet and on a small gutter in the pathway and fell over. I admit there was a slight bit of force and the surveillance camera close by got me shoving him. I immediately gave him aid to rise and placed him on a chair he was still abusing me and threats to do things to my mother and he would get me . Knowing there was cameras there in the unit I immediately reported the incident and stated to one of the unit managers of what had occurred got the doctor to see him gave first aid to abrasion and stated shooting my self in the foot "that it might look bad on camera" he reported the incident to the big unit manager who viewed the incident on tape and now I have been suspended on pay for the past 10 weeks whilst my case is decided by the area health service and with the view of termination of services possibly this week and then the case to fight for my job back will commence. I can say that the past several months have gone by quickly which will never be replaced and with allot of reflection of, why I put my self into the situation, why I became a nurse , why did i work there am I ready for early retirement, how am I going to pay my mortgage and bills my wife is depressed I am depressed and life is not as rosy now at the moment but I intend fighting and the union is backing me with lawyers and hopefully it will be Ok in the end. My collegues are barred from talking to me due to confidentiality issues but they still call by and phone me as well they are organising branch union action and batting for me with the head office of the union so this is why a good colleague is necessary as you are all in the same boat with the same work ethic and the same worries and it can happen to them in time.You are not alone jerry I hope you get better and I hope you are not scarred too much, hang in there. robails1

hi orca & anyone I have lectured on Critical incidence and techniques to combat aggression as well have been to Prevention and management of violence and aggression courses over the years and still in a split second when someone is in your face and ready to belt the be jesus out of you. You tend not to think of what you learnt but anxiety and fear of a threat even perceived threat can cause adrenaline to rush and the consequences can be damaging. The end result is you learn from it and you start again and yes assess the situations before you put yourself in them or act or do something which could be detrimental to your patients or your career or self.

hi LIG1973 I have been a Psych Nurse for the past 36 years and yes it can be very interesting and yes it can be frustrating, scary ,threatening etc. The things you should know about the profession you have entered, it can be rewarding and it can be demoralizing depends on how your ego is. In saying that remember how you would like to be treated, if you were ill is how you should treat the ill yourself, with empathy. I also urge you to be aware gain the peoples trust through a good rapport with them and inform them when you first shake their hands that you want to shake their hands as they go out the door they have just come in and you will work with them to do that as quickly as possible. all the best robails1