threatened at work

WalkieTalkie, RN · Nov 7, 2009

File a police report if you feel like you are in danger.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2009

Just to clear up a few points: I signed the form, not the house supr, I told the house I wasn't comfortable with the pt having my name and she said it doesn't matter I have to give it, so I gave it with no more argument. I'm just upset that I had to.

Next time I will make sure my name isn't so legible. You guys are right though, if the crazies want you, they will find you even if they don't know your name.

Katie5 · Nov 7, 2009

Why I carry a gun...not at work of course.
Don't worry, it will be that needle stick full of HIV that will kill you...not the psychos.

This is some form of encouragement:crying2:

swirlygirl · Nov 7, 2009

I used to work on a drug and alcohol detox floor. We also had quite a few psych patients. We asked multiple times if our unit (as well as psych and ER) could have special privileges about making our names visible to the patients due to the types of patients we got. We were told by management that it was "state required" to have our first and last names visible to the patients. I couldn't find anything about this on our state nursing website. About 90% of us wore our name badges backwards and had a sticker over our last names. We are constantly told by management that (regarding patient confidentiality) we have to ask ourselves "Is it necessary for me to know that information about the patient to do my job?" and act accordingly to protect the patient. Well, what about our confidentiality? Is it necessary for the patient to know my last name in order to recover from drug and alcohol addiction?

caliotter3 · Nov 7, 2009

There are some people who carry weapons. It is nothing to be joking about if someone is so threatened that they feel this is necessary whether they are on their way to or from work or elsewhere. It is no picnic to be in this state of mind, ever.

caliotter3 · Nov 7, 2009

File a police report if you feel like you are in danger.

Yes, for all the good that will do. But there will be a record of the problem that can not be denied.

safiyarozz · Nov 7, 2009

You dn't know what is in their head, try to adapt you to them, because they are patients, just how they are...poor them. As soon is not life danger...is ok...you can handle... who know how was their life.....

You do not know what is on anybody's mind at hospital or anywhere really;it does not matter the demographic.Humans by nature just lack the ability to read minds.

morte, LPN, LVN · Nov 7, 2009

Most of the time they will not even back you up! I had filed a complaint against a former patient with the police, he was stalking and threatening my DH and family. The hospital, on next admit, had him assigned to me, and told me that I couldn't refuse assignment. Luckily, one of my coworkers traded me a patient so I wouldn't have to take care of him. UGGHHH....

i find this pathologic on the part of the assigner.....and i dont believe it for a minute.....not your report, but the statement that you coulndt refuse...

morte, LPN, LVN · Nov 7, 2009

I work in a psych hospital with the criminally insane and all the patients know our first and last names. Some have internet privileges and can easily look us up, no matter how private we try to keep our identity. People with Axis II diagnoses in particular (anti-socials, psychopaths) will find out who you are, if they really want to, whether you tell them your name or not. By refusing to sign a document you put yourself at risk of insubordination. It's pretty naive to think that by refusing to sign with your full name would in any way protect you if this patient was indeed serious. But the chances of that are slim to none, especially once she is stabilized.
Working with psych patients is hazardous, but most of the hazards occur while they are hospitalized. When they're stable enough for discharge, they aren't the same person who presented in the ER with psychosis and generally aren't interested in stalking hospital employees. Yes, it has happened, but much of the responsibility lies with the employee to ensure they have excellent boundaries and thoroughly professional behavior.

sounds more than alittle like "blame the victim"....and perhaps the not using last names IS part of setting those boundaries....

morte, LPN, LVN · Nov 7, 2009

Had a psych patient in ER for 8 hours last shift. Patient verbally threatened me with stalking and death for the entire shift. Come to find out I have to give her a form with my name on it. I respectfully declined and the house sup gave it to her.
How come they have all the rights and we have none. For the first time in 7 years I am really spooked. Just doesn't seem fair.
And of course no patients have EVER come back and actually did what they threatened.

i would think this is def a case for filing a police report.

Midwest4me · Nov 7, 2009

I work at a psych hospital(locked wards); we're required to wear a name badge imprinted with our full names. It's ok for staff to be threatened and physically abused--there are no ramifications, because, after all, "they don't know any better due to their mental illnesses". :banghead: :bugeyes: We have some units with the criminally insane who have raped staff--no consequences(that I know of) to the patient!!!. Staff THEMSELVES have had to be sent to the local hospital to be treated for injuries inflicted upon them by patients....just keep counting the few years left until retirement...and hope we make it....(sadly, in this economy, even a violent job is better than NO job.)

LadyJaye · Nov 8, 2009

I work at a psych hospital(locked wards); we're required to wear a name badge imprinted with our full names. It's ok for staff to be threatened and physically abused--there are no ramifications, because, after all, "they don't know any better due to their mental illnesses". We have some units with the criminally insane who have raped staff--no consequences(that I know of) to the patient!!!. Staff THEMSELVES have had to be sent to the local hospital to be treated for injuries inflicted upon them by patients....just keep counting the few years left until retirement...and hope we make it....(sadly, in this economy, even a violent job is better than NO job.)

YIKES! That is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to begin. The unfortunate thing is that I am imagining that many of these incidents could be prevented if the establishment cared enough to spend a bit more money on more staffing/security. My heart goes out to you and all of your colleagues.