Thinking about getting a gun for safety

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Mar 2, 2018

Here's the fundamental question that you need to answer for yourself before you even worry about your employer: Do you have it in your heart to kill someone? If the answer is an unequivocal affirmative then you can continue down the decision tree. If the question gives you pause at all then you absolutely should not consider carrying a firearm under any circumstances.

Neats, BSN · Mar 2, 2018

Well first really think about you carrying a weapon..

I am prior military. My husband is retired Green Beret/Ranger Our children currently serving in the Guard or Reserves.

Here are some points to consider:

1. A gun is a weapon.

2. You need to learn everything about your weapon inside and out.

3. If you use your weapon it is to stop danger...to kill.

4. Make sure you can carry legally, a weapon.

5. Make sure your work place allows weapons

6. Have the mind set; if I use it it is to kill because my life is in danger; no thought process should be this is a deterrent, they will most certainly get this out of your hands and use it against you, it is a weapon, you must think I will shoot to kill.

7. Take care of your weapon, keep a handle lock on it when at home. Do not allow little ones to play with it, it is a weapon.

8. Verbal skills are what really gets you out of situations. Learn good verbal tactile skills. You will not need a weapon, your mouth is a weapon.

9. Make sure if you are visiting a patient in their home they allow weapons or if you leave in your car are you so sure your vehicle will not get stolen/broke into... there goes your weapon

In short you state you are thinking about a weapon because you will be going into bad places. I have worked in the prison system, did nursing clinical in Chicago (Cabrini Green Housing) when it was there, they were bad places I never once thought a weapon would help me, I did think I better learn to speak right to these patients. A weapon can get you in trouble so very fast if you do not have the right mindset, right training.

I do carry but it is more for I go hiking and if I come across a cougar, bear or for that matter a meth operation and my life is in danger I will be able to shoot to kill. Lastly if you noticed I used the "G" word once in this reply... what you are talking about is a weapon.

Mr_Edwino · Mar 2, 2018

I think you should consider martial arts as part of your training. Either jiu-jitsu or Krav Maga will help you train against an aggressive attacker. If the program avoids grappling, avoid the program. I think you will find your confidence will improve vastly with some jiu jitsu.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2018

Other options are pepper spray, or a baton.

Chisca, RN · Mar 2, 2018

Krav Maga all the way. This is real world survival combat training and will greatly improve your confidence to deal with people who would harm you. Even if you don't take the home health job learn to defend yourself without a weapon.

Elfriede · Mar 2, 2018

Hhhmmm....

- IÂ´ve to carry opioid with me in my job.

So I am a target.

- But I donÂ´t carry a gun.

A junkie has no inhibitions to use his one first.

To deal with conflicts - without a gun - is art of nursing.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2018

When I worked in hospice, I worked all over the greater Houston area, including what many consider "very rough areas".. I never felt unsafe nor the need to carry weapons.

In fact, the patients in those areas were often my 'favorites'. :)

Kitiger, RN · Mar 3, 2018

Hmmm...I did home health for a very brief period of time in the early 90's. I had a gun pulled on me...my best weapon was my very big and bulky cell phone.
So...if this gun is in your car, are your pts/families in the car with you? You are more likely to get in trouble in the home versus the car.
Workplace violence against homecare workers and its relationship with workers health outcomes: a cross-sectional study
Overall, 61.3% of female homecare workers in the consumer-driven model experienced at least one type of workplace violence in the past year. Our estimate of the prevalence of homecare workers experiencing verbal aggression (51.5%), workplace aggression (27.5%), or workplace violence (24.7%), sexual harassment (27.6%) and sexual aggression (12.8%) in this study is consistent with, or higher than, those of other studies [7,8,17]. The findings of this study add to the small but growing body of evidence that workplace violence is a serious occupational hazard for homecare workers.
Personally, even 20 some years later - I would never ever ever ever do home care....

A key point here is that this article refers to the consumer-driven model, which is where the client hires his own staff. These workers do not work for an agency.

I work for an agency. The parents of my pediatric clients are carefully screened. They are taught how to care for their child while said child is still in the hospital. These parents have to prove themselves to the doctors, social workers, etc., before they are allowed to bring their child home.

In addition, these parents don't want to lose their nurses. Some, who live in bad areas, will have the nurse call before they leave their car, so the parents can be in the doorway, watching the nurse come in. They also watch the nurse leave.

I have never been threatened or harassed, with more than 30 years in private duty homecare. My city has a population of about 74,000; some neighborhoods are definitely rough.

allnurses Guide · Mar 3, 2018

I'm not looking to necessarily carry in someone's home but I would like to have one in my vehicle. I have great hand-eye coordination and grew up around firearms so no worries there. I wont know what safety measures are in place quite yet until my 1st official orientation next week.

You would really have to look into the laws in your state re: concealed carry, open carry and permits. Here's a graphic:

Open Carry | OpenCarry.org

Hppy

chare · Mar 3, 2018

...When I was in the military, I was told that if I deploy to a war zone like the middle east, that the firearm I would carry would have no ammunition in it for obvious reasons. Unless I was infantry or sniper or in a tank, I would have no ammunition on me whatsoever...

You were in the military, and were told that if you deployed to a combat zone you would carry a weapon, but not ammunition? Really?

What branch of service were you In? And what was your MOS? And last, what idiot told you this?

I've got to tell you, I'm having really hard time believing this.

Have Nurse, ADN, RN · Mar 3, 2018

Well, you need to do some research first. You need a permit and you should take a gun safety class first. In addition, you need to know the law for that area with regard to gun ownership. If you aren't wearing it wear it can be seen, you need a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Also, are you going to carry it in your bag? You need to be concerned if you are going into a home where someone is confused, or children or teens are about, or their friends. Some kids are curious and if you cannot keep an eye on your handbag at all times, that could be a problem. In addition, you could be assigned to a building that does not allow guns. For infection control reasons, you cannot keep it in your nursing bag. Does your agency have a fire arms policy? Lots of things to answer first....

You will also need to pass a background check.

I can understand your concern. But as a responsible gun owner myself, it's not to be taken lightly. (Note, I never took it to work.)

Have Nurse, ADN, RN · Mar 3, 2018

What you said makes no sense. I am not trying to be unkind. I am a military veteran. During war games stateside, we fired blanks. But we were trained in weapons in basic for a reason. There would be no reason to issue a firearm but no ammo. You'd better do some homework.