gholiway

I too lift weights. I started resistance training 2 yrs. ago and actually took the EAS body for life challange. I completed the 12 week program and have loved every experience from it. I did not win the contest but I did win my self-esteem back. The mother of 4 and 37 yrs. old I feel younger than my 18 year old. The challange motivated me, changed me inside and out. I still treadmill in the am before work and weight train in the pm. You MUST take time for yourself. Nurses give to everyone, please give a little to yourself.

Sirens, don't be sorry for how you feel. It is stressful enough to deal with so called "normal" pts. let alone agitated, combative ones. I agree with El. Use some sort of buddy system. Document and forward your concerns to the risk manager. Restraints are perfectly acceptable in emergency situations. The family can like it or lump it. Give em a choice. The ropes or the needle. Just kidding. But really, family education is needed here. The docs could be more supportive in that area. Hang in there.

This issue is not as isolated as people think. I work in a rural hospital and we do not offer psych treatment. In fact you should ask to review your departments scope of services. Admitting psych patients to a med-surg floor is appropriate for Med reasons. These pts are quite difficult but remember that the JCAHO standards for restraint use are very specific when restraints are used for behavior reasons. The geri chair would be considered a restraint in this instance. The Haldol would be considered a chemical restraint especially if the pt. is not on it already. It's tough and you should take the issue to your nursing supervisor. Get the medical staff involved. You should have a violence in the workplace program that addresses just this very thing. Check with your risk manager. QUOTE]Originally posted by soundsLikesirens: Does anyone know what the law is concerning a nurses' recourse to A. avoid being assaulted by a combative patient and B. one's recourse if assaulted? I work on a med/surg floor and we typically have 10-11 patients apiece. Lately, we have been getting more and more admissions that seem to be psyche-related. (The psyche unit is closed...for lack of patients, or so I heard). Well they're all finding their way up to our floor....I know you have to have a doctor's order for physical restraints. But the other night, I had a patient that was combative with a hx of punching nurses and the family wouldn't allow her to be in a geri-chair, they wouldn't allow IM Haldol...they were TOLD by the admitting MD that they would have to stay in the room and take care of her because our floor is short-staffed (it is). Yet they expect us to be in the room constantly and get mad if we aren't (I don't care - let 'em get mad). I'm not worried about that; but I am worried about getting my teeth knocked out by some of these combative, agitated patients.