Why do people abuse nurses?

Jeffthenurse · Mar 13, 2008

Things sure are different today. During my long career I've never been physically assaulted other than pinched by a confused patient. Some patients became angry with me but I was always able to resolve the situation. I've worked ER, ICU, Med-Surg, and Home Care. Actually, I've had more trouble with threats from Nursing Administration than from anyone else. When I threatened them with a lawsuit things usually worked out well. I'm sorry to hear you've been assaulted so many times. I agree somewhat with Canoehead: there usually is no consequence for hurting a nurse, except when you stand up for yourself and not let anyone get away with it!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

In my hospital we are in the hub of many many LTC/ALF/SNF's and typically most of the patients have some form of dementia. With dementia they are so very out of place, confused, ill, scared, and more. So these people do a lot of kicking/screaming and so on...and I try to keep that in consideration and provide a restful calm environment...as much as I can at least.

But the rest of the community seems to be more on the lower economic end or live in those very fancy ASF's (we call them the palaces) and have staff at their door with a ring of the call light immediately (I worked as a nurse in one of them...you were written up if they complained they had to wait...fear was the game there...doesn't help the patient or any other healthcare facility having to care for them!!!), and frankly seem to feel all hospital staff "OWE" them something...be it total utter pain relief, meds on request whatever the request, and maid/waitress services at their beck and call. Don't do it and a good portion of our patients pitch a fit!

Then we have our meth probelm...and those people are prone to violence in the first place...so your guard is always up with them. (although it is the small quiet demented patient that you will really get hit by!!!! Lucky I know this! LOL!).

I think it has to do with your population base, facility, and so on...as well as this overpowering social trend of questioning everything, sue everyone, and don't let anyone tell you what to do! Sadly, we are paid to tell people what to do...and that doesn't sit well in our society today!

Then just add in the folks that are just naturally mean! LOL!

I do believe that nurses should act in cooperation with these types of behaviors so that it is a constant for all staff! When a child does something bad, they face certain consequences...if that changes from parent to parent the consequences are clouded....same with behavorial issues in adults! Consequences for innappropriate behavior must be consistant or it doesn't do anyone anygood. However, who is going to write that protocol and risk a bad review for the hospital???? Ahhh yes, the rub!

I have pressed charges on patients that have harmed me (withing reason of course...not some little 101 year old lady with severe dementia...LOL). But I am the only one in the floors I work on that has in the past! So oops, no consistancy...unless other nurses follow my example???

RN1989 · Mar 13, 2008

We are always taught to be understanding of people in their time of trouble so we are supposed to "take it" and know that "they didn't really mean it". Bull! No wonder nurses never take care of their ownselves and are burnt out and leaving. Let's not forget that "the patient is always right" and if we don't kiss their butts then we will get bad evals or even fired! The rest of my thoughts are too ugly to be put into print.

leslie :-D · Mar 13, 2008

We are always taught to be understanding of people in their time of trouble so we are supposed to "take it" and know that "they didn't really mean it". Bull! No wonder nurses never take care of their ownselves and are burnt out and leaving. Let's not forget that "the patient is always right" and if we don't kiss their butts then we will get bad evals or even fired! The rest of my thoughts are too ugly to be put into print.

oh God, i soooo understand.

if i hear that nurses are compassionate, one more time, i'm going to dopeslap them to the moon.

if we can't fight it collectively, then at least there are nurses that are individually saying "no more".

hoping one day, these numbers will add up and make the difference.

leslie

ASSEDO · Mar 13, 2008

Nursing is a co-dependent profession. Physicians, hospital administrators, hospital support and other co-workers have blazed the path for nurse abuse in the past. Now the family and their sadistic pathetic little families have joined their "gang."

I agree with James Huffman, call the freaking police.

smurfy · Mar 13, 2008

because we let them....

and because we make excuses for their behavior...

and because there are no consequences for their actions...

leslie :-D · Mar 13, 2008

because we let them....
and because we make excuses for their behavior...
and because there are no consequences for their actions...

there ya go, smurfy.

simple as that.

leslie

miko014 · Mar 13, 2008

I've said it before and I'll say it a million times again. We're not focused on patient care anymore, it's customer serrvice. We've given them the impression that we are there to serve them and make them happy and give them "very good service" re: everything. So, if they have to wait for an MRI - yell at the nurse. If they don't like their dinner - tell the nurse. Want more pain meds, but doc won't give? Nurse's fault!!!

Plus, they have that mentality now where it's "do what I want or I will sue you. - You don't want to give me mental anguish, do you?"

Assault of any kind should not be tolerated. If the patient has severe dememtia or is not in control of their actions, I can tolerate that, but if they become combative, they need to be put into a situation where they will not hurt themselves or others. If they cuss at me, oh well, they don't know what they are saying. Anyone else - ANYONE else should never touch you or threaten to. If they do, call security and/or the police immediately. If they get verbally abusive, take it to your charge or manager or administrator on call or security.

We need to stand up and deliver the message that ANY abuse (verbal or physical) will not be tolerated! I just don't know how to go about this. Even though we just got a great new CNO, I still think this topic would not be well-received by our management. They don't care what the patients to do me as long as they don't leave marks and we get good press ganey surveys.

medsurgrnco, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

Agree with what others have said here. What do you think would happen if a hospital informed patients that abusive behavior of any kind would not be tolerated, including lying about their nurses, and followed up by supporting their staff instead of believing anything a patient said?

ktwlpn, LPN · Mar 14, 2008

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

Yeah,that---an incident occurred at work yesterday in which a family member not only raised his voice and yelled at the charge nurse during the team meeting but then he proceeded to freak out on his loved one.The ADON was called to help diffuse the situation.Her response to the charge nurse " The family member is under alot of stress" Spank my orifice---WHAT? I could NOT believe her attitude---

Midwest4me · Mar 14, 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!

It's not always just patients and families. Oftentimes, it's management that abuses nurses too(mentally)...and kind of physically too when you think about mandatory extra shifts due to call-ins( and the threat of 'abandonment' if we refuse to work the extra shift). :cry:We're easy targets and,for the most part,(with the exception of a very few jobs) we have to take it.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

If a family member walks into a McDonald's restaurant and starts verbally or physically assaulting the cashier, (s)he'll probably be escorted out to the parking lot by management. Law enforcement might be telephoned, and charges might be filed. No excuses are made for the family member's brutish behavior.

If a family member walks into the nurses station and verbally or physically assaults the charge nurse, (s)he'll probably be allowed to get away with the antisocial actions. Management and hospital administration will make excuses regarding the supposed 'stressors' being experienced by the family member.

Retail outlets and places of business have zero-tolerance policies regarding abuse of their employees by the public. Healthcare facilities need to get with the program, and follow this trend.