So I'm a new nurse, recently graduated and now working in critical care. There is this persistent calling within me to be a mental health nurse. (Bit of background info; I've always been very interested in the human mind, reading psychology textbooks as pleasure reading.)
During my psych rotations in nursing school, we were given a very brief lesson on self-defense for our encounters with a forensic inpatient population in a state hospital. The calling to do mental health nursing grows stronger each day, and I'm wondering if it is wise and/or prudent to learn a few self-defense methods so as to avoid injury that I may or may not encounter in dealing with mentally broken people.
Let me make myself clear here. I have absolutely no intention of using violence against any person, patient or otherwise. I'm only interested in keeping my own person safe.
If you, or someone you know, is a mental health nurse, have you taken up self-defense courses to prevent bodily harm?
Specializes in Psych, SA, Deaf, Gero, Adolescent, Adult.
If you get a job in psych, your employer will train you in deescalation and self-defense and restraint interventions approved for that facility. Using any kind of techniques not approved by your employer can get you in serious trouble with your employer and the state. In a worst case scenario, it could lead to criminal charges.
Took the words right off of my keyboard!! I've been at a state psych facility for almost 14yrs now, & although our hospital approved 'methods' have changed a few times over the years, we are still only to use what we are currently certified in for our facility. Using anything else can cost you your job/career & potentially have you facing legal issues.
For anyone not familiar with this specialty, verbal de-escalation & therapeutic interactions to prevent loss of control are always preferred, but you will never prevent every single patient from becoming physically aggressive. Take it from an RN who has been hit, kicked, punched, spit on, stabbed, & just returned to work after having 2 surgeries (neck & shoulder) and 6 months of recovery! It is a VERY interesting profession, but definitely not for the timid :)
Thanks to all of you who've posted some really good suggestions. You've expanded my thought horizons with your insights and shared experiences. The more I ponder this decision, the more I feel that it's what I'm really meant to do. Knowing that employers and fellow staff will have my back in tough situations brings peace and comfort. Peace!
Your facility should have training and what moves/holds you can legally use on a patient. Virginia State facilities use TOVA, therapeutic options of Virginia, which is actually pretty good.
I never think it is a bad idea to learn how to protect yourself. If you have good reason, VERY GOOD reason to need to protect yourself (hopefully you are in a good hospital with a good panic alarm system and good response team) you will have enough folks to apply restraints that you should not get hurt that bad IF you do become injured at all. I have helped to restrain or escort many patients (forensics and very acute hospital) and have only gotten hurt a handful of times. However, I have seen people that have suffered from broken bones. It may be sporadic.
However, you need to research your facility and staff to patient ration, how many panic alarm calls (these are called different things in different states) they may have, what the restraint rate is, if they use the emergency restraint chair (ERC) (Best invention ever. Google that ish) or bed restraints, etc. One facility in Kansas just reported a CNA being raped, with it being stopped by another patient.
So you make your choices, but remember at the end of the day things have to stay safe.
Personally I have been practicing martial arts for years and they have improved my ability to work immensely. Not just the physical aspect of being healthy(albeit bruised, scarred and scratched) but also the mental side. I mean, I have the self confidence to not resort to physically restraining the patient when my colleagues would use straps, instead I am not all that eager to have a wrestling match. So I let them scream and shout until (hopefully) their anxiety is blown over but if not, then I know that I can handle myself in the stressful situation without it escalating further and hurting my colleagues/patient in the process.
And not all martial arts are about kicking and hitting people, for example brazilian jiu jitsu and submission wrestling have helped me a lot over the years.
Definitely! Every mental health nurse should learn as many martial arts as possible and wear a ninja uniform to work, whilst holding a sword and crouching in a corner for hours at a time!!
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Definitely! Every mental health nurse should learn as many martial arts as possible and wear a ninja uniform to work, whilst holding a sword and crouching in a corner for hours at a time!!
For once, Mr. nickfritz, you and I are on the same page!
A good martial arts class gets you in shape, teaches humility, and also teaches you to know what your opponent is about to do.
If these things are taught correctly, it won't be about letting patients abuse you but instead about avoiding dangerous situations.
Saiderap, Patients are not our opponents are they? I agree, a good understanding of personal safety interventions are useful in avoiding risks and maintaining the skills required to manage or avoid dangerous situations is the way to go!
littlek1627
4 Posts
Took the words right off of my keyboard!! I've been at a state psych facility for almost 14yrs now, & although our hospital approved 'methods' have changed a few times over the years, we are still only to use what we are currently certified in for our facility. Using anything else can cost you your job/career & potentially have you facing legal issues.
For anyone not familiar with this specialty, verbal de-escalation & therapeutic interactions to prevent loss of control are always preferred, but you will never prevent every single patient from becoming physically aggressive. Take it from an RN who has been hit, kicked, punched, spit on, stabbed, & just returned to work after having 2 surgeries (neck & shoulder) and 6 months of recovery! It is a VERY interesting profession, but definitely not for the timid :)