Having been assaulted as a result of my healthcare job, I would have to join in with those who say it should be a felony. I can not describe the depth of the effects the actions of my assailants have had upon my entire life. Had I not been working as a healthcare worker, my chances of these people randomly doing what they did to me would have been miniscule to zero. I will never forgive them, nor the people who condoned what they did.
Having been assaulted as a result of my healthcare job, I would have to join in with those who say it should be a felony. I can not describe the depth of the effects the actions of my assailants have had upon my entire life. Had I not been working as a healthcare worker, my chances of these people randomly doing what they did to me would have been miniscule to zero. I will never forgive them, nor the people who condoned what they did.
You brought up a great point. The aftermath of what it is like for you and others who have been attacked while at work. It is frightening and no one knows what that is like until it happens to them. It can take years before a person moves past the situation. I would never say "get over it" I don't think there is ever a getting over anything maybe just moving to the next level where one figures out a way to keep going after being attacked. It isn't like being a police officer or soldier where you "expect" to be attacked or assaulted in some way and can at least try somewhat to be prepared. It's terrible no matter who it happens to but it's worse when one is in a field or environment where it isn't an expected or daily occurrence.
Specializes in Breast Cancer, Arterial, General Surgery.
I have agreed, but with reservations:
I agree, as long as it applies to mentally competent patients. I have worked with Alzheimer's patients with a history of being combative, and I was once attacked by a non-verbal mentally retarded man. I do not believe there are excuses for this either, but in some circumstances these behaviors can be decreased through medication or implementing behavior plans. No one has considered pressing charges in these instances.
Specializes in Occupational Health Nursing/ Med/ Surg.
This a difinately yes. Too many Nurses suffer at the ends of disrespectful patients or their relatives. Late last year a nurse in a pediatric hospital casualty department was hit in the face with a chair by a disgruntley parent who thought the service was taking too long to attend to her child.
Another relative proceeded to hit a nurse in the face when she thought her brother was not getting the care he deserved. Are nurses to sit and take all the abuse with handed out to them?
i agree - most definitely it should be a felony offense. having been kicked, hit and bitten while working in the ed, not too mention verbally abused, we are often not given adequate protection and still have to treat these patients. i refuse to be someone's punching bag and then let them off the hook with the excuse that they were drunk...every action has a consequence.
I absolutely couldn't agree more. Being high or drunk is no excuse for hurting someone. Like someone said, every action has a consequence. Enough of just sweeping it under the rug because they're drunk or high.
Even though PA and other states have these laws, how much does the hospital support you in reporting this abuse and taking action? How do we as a group go about making this reporting happen and curtailing the abuse?
As a society do we have to continue to have our health care system abused by these folks? It's usually our taxes at work caring for them. Enough is enough.
Absolutely, assalting a nurse or any healthcare worker should be a felony and the public should be made aware of that change. As far as nursing being one the most respected professions, I have to strongly disagree. The public acts like they think they are entitled to verbally abuse nurses and treat them like they are slaves and God forbid it's not snappy or you'll get reported to your manager and they will have your job. I believe patients should be treated with all respect and dignity, but good grief, some people you have to be on pins and needles to deal with. Everybody wants to be somebody special. The customer is always right even if they are on drugs and demented. It's fine for Grandmother to hit or scratch the nurse because she is so sick. Hogwash! It ought to be a law where a person with long fingernails that is combative to have the nails cut, just like nurses are suppose to keep theirs short, not to hurt the patient or harbor germs. And you know where theirs have been, it doesn't come off with universal handwashing. Just what I would like to have is a big case of MRSA inflicted by someone's nasty nails. I've had people try to bite me too. If they have dentures, they get taken out if they have shown agression. I'd do as well working as a prison nurse. At least they have guards to protect you and you know there could be danger. Nurses don't have a chance with people on drugs and drunks and the mean little ladies with long fingernails. The security guards are usuallly retired pesonell that are not able to perform a labor intensive job. How do you get this passed in a state as a law? :w00t:
By all mean it should be a felony offense. Why not may I ask?? If something is not done to protect nurses who put their lives on the line everyday....some nurse will be hurt or killed. We really have no one to protect us as it is now. Unions don't seem to be working, the hospital and all it's politics will try to hush it up, to prevent media coverage, so they will squash or downplay the whole incident. We need PROTRCTION!
Joyfullme
3 Posts
In Washington State it is a class C felony to assualt a health care worker. I've had one patient arrested. It felt both good and bad.