psych nursing-which one is less violent?

Esther2007 · Aug 4, 2008

I have seen violent patients on all the floors that I have been to. Last year, on a med surge floor a patient took a chair and slammed it against the window was trying to commit suicide. Thank God a CNA was close by, was able to hold the patient until security arrived. The patient was admitted to the OR where he suffered a ruptured spleen. There are psychiatric patients everywhere.

aloevera · Aug 6, 2008

Violence can happen in any setting....I have seen quite a bit on the adolescent unit, adult mental health unit, acute and extended....I have not worked forensic....It would be difficult to say which one is less prone for violent behavior.....but I would have to say that the adolescent unit is maybe more aggessive....

Thanet · Aug 6, 2008

The trouble about psychi nursing is the those outside the profession only get to hear about the violent patients.

They don't get to hear the times that we sit and chat with the patients or play a game of cards or chess etc with them, or sit with them in front of the telly and discuss current world/local events or... or... or...

There are violent patients in ALL areas of nursing given the right circumstances.

The skill is being able to defuse the situation; even better is to prevent it happening in the first place.

Good luck and welcome to Psychi nursing

inthesky · Aug 6, 2008

I've heard that the little old sundowning lady in med-surg room 5 throws punches every once in awhile. =P I would think that adolescent and neuro-psych units would be the most violent. Detox or rehab programs would probably be the least violent of psych. I work in an acute unit which does not take petitioned patients; violence happens but it is very rare. The extended care unit has more violence because the patients are more ill and have more freedom and more access to possible implements of danger =P.

cutehumor · Aug 8, 2008

yes, violence could occur anywhere. Just trying to prevent my ear from being bit off or my nose broke.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 9, 2008

yes, violence could occur anywhere. Just trying to prevent my ear from being bit off or my nose broke.

Crud, I never considered that I might lose an ear! :) I am fully prepared to take one in the nose over the course of my career however.

I didn't really give it a thought when I started. I just fell in love with the population and went from there. I'd do some soul searching because if you are overly concerned that could put yourself and your team in an unsafe situation.

Aviationurse · Aug 9, 2008

i agree...if u are overly concerned about violence in psych setting...give it a second thought...violence occurs anywhere and that includes medsurg units, er, out patient clinics , parking lot , elevator etc.... :twocents:

aloevera · Aug 9, 2008

I agree that violence is everywhere, but odds are, you are going to see more on an Adult Mental Health or Adolescent Unit than you are in other areas, but the good news is that you are more prepared and looking out for it more than on the other units....you pretty much know who may be possible for an outburst/escalation....but there are always surprises, that's for sure...

nanacarol · Aug 12, 2008

I agree that it sounds as if you may wish to give this some really serious thought. Being overly concerned and possibly preoccupied with ones own safety opens the door to potential safety violations. For those of us committed to mental health, we rarely give our personal safety a real thought, yes, we don't place ourselves in unsafe situations, yes we use all the training our organizations provide, but most important we use our eyes, ears asnd gut to recognize the subtle signs of impending behavior escalation and squash it before it gets to the place of violence. One those occasions when something "jumps off" we are prepared with the least intrusive intervention that seeks to maintain safety for staff and patient. I really love mental health and yes, I have had my share of battles, but fear is not part of my orificenal. Nanacarol

alfa-sierra, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2008

I'm trying to decide between Acute Treatment, Extended Treatment, Children and Youth, and Forensic Treatment Program. Most likely would be a night position. Which one of these would be less likely to have violent patients? I've never worked psych before, only med surg. Thanks

Provided that all groups are treated with the same positive regard and professionalism and contrary to what probably appears to be common sense, the Forensic are in my experience likely to be the least violent. Usually they have the most to lose from violent behavior, from a legal standpoint. Usually they are also more Axis II (personality disorders) than Axis I, therefore more cognitively intact. Highest for potential for violence and injuries? No doubt confined, damaged adolescents without healthy outlets.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Aug 20, 2008

Highest for potential for violence and injuries? No doubt confined, damaged adolescents without healthy outlets.

Agreed.