Why do people abuse nurses?

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

I think the problem as to why we are mistreated in healthcare is because of the stigma that is associated with nurses.

The older patients especially believe that the doctor is all knowing and so cannot be questioned in any way shape or form. If the doctor gives them bad news or is not performing to their liking they dont say anything because of their position and prestige. However when the nurse walks in we get the full affect of their emotions. We are the scapegoat to their problems.

Doctors have no role in the physical care of patient such as changing ambulating, and the distribution of meds. When the nurse walks in the patient sees us as the cause of their anguish, and so the cycle begins.

Now of course this doesnt apply to everyone but its just my idea. But as soon as I see a patient get upset and lunge towards me I just walk away because I do not get paid enough to get beat up :chuckle:

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Mar 13, 2008

They do it because they can. There is no consequence.

BeachBayNurse · Mar 13, 2008

I still don't totally understand this, especially how people who have no medical knowledge talk down to and about nurses. I have a few theories:

1. How nurses are portrayed in the media: you see nurses as sidekicks, assistants, extras etc, never the character that is has as complex a story line as the doctors.

2. The role of the nurse YEARS ago: it doesn't matter that it was as long as fifty years ago that all nurses did was play personal assistant to the doctor, the general public still thinks that is what we do now.

3. People are getting ruder by the year: society has no manners it seems like. However, we as nurses are expected to take the abuse. The patients know the doctors often will not, and therefore not get their prescription for the potion of their choosing. The patients have connected the dots, yell at the doctor, pay the price, yell at the nurse, get better service.

Alex_RN2b09 · Mar 13, 2008

Sadly it has to do with how our culture perceives nursing, and that is generally as individuals which are submissive, self sacrificing, and compassionate. People don't see us as being in a position of power, respect, or high educated. Yes, these people are angry, stressed out, and out of their comfort zone, but that is not an excuse for abusive behaviors. This is something we as nurses need to change, we are the professionals and we have the power to show people we won't be walked on. I sincerely hope us nurses can help change this image in the future, it's not going to be easy but no doubt it will be worth the effort.

Grace Oz · Mar 13, 2008

There's discussion here in Australia at present about the abuse and assaults on nursing staff.

It's been proposed to make it unlawful to do so, and that the offender can be prosecuted.

I say about time! Nurses for far too long have been fair game for every bad tempered, rude, violent and angry individual who finds it acceptable to violate the nurse in whichever way they choose.

And .......... other than those genuine cases whereby the person is, beyond a reasonable doubt as they say, affected by their illness etc, many people DO Choose their bad behaviour!

They're just plain and simple horrible persons!

The challenge would be though, proving, beyond that reasonable doubt, that the offender was/was not, affected by their illness, etc etc!

There was a time when we were accorded great respect by those in our care, and their relatives, friend's etc. But in the years prior to my retirement, I saw how rapidly that respect was replaced with total disrespect and sheer rudeness.

I'm forever grateful to no longer have to endure such bad behaviour.

And, it's just as well. Because I got to a point in my life whereby I take no nonsense from ANYONE! They soon got more than they bargained for from me if they tried to dish out their garbage! It's best I'm off the streets! lol

Sabby_NC · Mar 13, 2008

I think Nurses role in caring for the sick is slowly evolving and we just have not 'got there yet' We are transitioning for the empathetic all compassionate nurse to more educated, we have become the educator and some have trouble with this. We can still be very empathetic and compassionate but with a new 'feel' about us.

The old term handmaiden has got the big ol' boot outta the door! Yayyyy

I do believe that it if is a true assault, assault and battery it should be handled within the law as it stands. Of course there are going to be situations that will be hard to push through depending on the cognitive ability of said patients but who knows?

Why some feel it is appropriate to abuse or be rude to nurses is beyond me.

I am so thankful I have not been in a position of abuse or utter rudeness.

So sad when it enters into the nurses role when caring for the patient and doing their utmost to help them and their families.

jmgrn65, RN · Mar 13, 2008

I still don't totally understand this, especially how people who have no medical knowledge talk down to and about nurses. I have a few theories:
1. How nurses are portrayed in the media: you see nurses as sidekicks, assistants, extras etc, never the character that is has as complex a story line as the doctors.
2. The role of the nurse YEARS ago: it doesn't matter that it was as long as fifty years ago that all nurses did was play personal assistant to the doctor, the general public still thinks that is what we do now.
3. People are getting ruder by the year: society has no manners it seems like. However, we as nurses are expected to take the abuse. The patients know the doctors often will not, and therefore not get their prescription for the potion of their choosing. The patients have connected the dots, yell at the doctor, pay the price, yell at the nurse, get better service.

I really believe it is #3 and that is one of the reasons that I got out of bedside.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

Probably because we are in their direct line of fire doing intimate care. We're making them do unplesant things like...gasp.....move, turn, give injections to, insert NG tubes and foley in, etc.

I try to keep it in perspective. It gets old though.

jlcole45 · Mar 13, 2008

Probably because we are in their direct line of fire doing intimate care. We're making them do unplesant things like...gasp.....move, turn, give injections to, insert NG tubes and foley in, etc.
I try to keep it in perspective. It gets old though.

I agree with Tweety - it's because we are with the patients more then any other health care professional. So we see the good, bad and the ugly.

That said, I've been doing this a long time and I personally don't think people are any more rude then 20 years ago. In addition, 80 -90% of my patients and families are cooperative, pleasant and thankful for the care that I provide to them. Yes, we have moments when they are resistant to doing post op stuff such as coughing and walking but usually they respond with encouragement, an explanation, and pain meds.

Overall my experience has been that the doctors are better then they used to be related to respect and conduct with the nursing staff - except for the occasional jerk. But you'd find that in any line of work. Just my 2 cents after 20 years. :mad:

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 13, 2008

You kick me, I kick the dog. The patient interpets that they need this doctor to prescribe for treatment that makes them feel better, can write notes for them to remain off of work (I can't remember any patient getting a note from a nurse to excuse an absence), need the diagnosis, and other things, so, they don't want to rock the boat with the doctor. Us, on the other hand, they feel that they can bug us to get exactly what they wish.

I hate when the patients in my clinic will see the doctor, should have had all of their issues addressed, but by the time they get to me, they want to say that the medications prescribed are not working, they are in pain, share MAJOR symptoms that may change the original assessment made by the doctor that, suddenly, I have to get up, tell the doctor and then, hear his mouth, because as far as he is concerned, he was finished with this patient. Very, very annoying, because then, they try to take out on me what they should have done with the doctor when they had his attention. (They get kicked-they kick the dog [nurse]).

I tell all new patients that this is a crowded clinic, that on future appointments,to have a list of all of their complaints and questions for the doctor to address. I tell them to ask about their medications; why they are on them, what to expect, etc...because telling me alone will not always produce the results that they want because I am not the prescriber.

The irony of it is that many times, the doctor doesn't know, either, and send them to us.

James Huffman · Mar 13, 2008

Why do patients and families either mentally or physically abuse nursing staff? I just can not fathom why they think its justifiable to terrorize nurses and worship doctors. Over the course of my 7 years in healthcare I have been kicked, punched, slapped, bitten, pinched, pee'd on, spat upon, and called every possible curse word in existance. But I have yet to see anything CLOSE to these kind of assaults inflicted on the MD's or even other staff like PT, RCP, case management, or even the housekeepers!

The bigger question is whether those who have "kicked, punched, slapped, bitten, pinched, etc." you have been made to deal with it? Have you called the police when these events happened? If not, why not?

Nurses need to have a zero-tolerance policy for such matters. When something happens, call the police. Press charges, if the situation warrants it. Do not cry. Do not complain to co-workers. Do not call hospital security. Just call the police. It doesn't matter who did it. Just call the police.

Facilities that tolerate this kind of behavior do so because they can, and because there are not consequences. Nurses who press charges against offenders indicate that they, at least, will not tolerate it.