Would You Press Charges?

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I worked on the adolescent psych unit tonight and a 14 year old with a long history of violence and psychiatric problems punched me in the jaw. She was already in the midst of attacking another nurse and when I stepped in to help is when I was punched. Went to the ER, nothing's broken, but my jaw is so sore! Also when she made contact, the force threw my head back and I pulled a neck muscle.

Would you press charges against this patient? She is already due for a court date for a similar charge.

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
I worked on the adolescent psych unit tonight and a 14 year old with a long history of violence and psychiatric problems punched me in the jaw. She was already in the midst of attacking another nurse and when I stepped in to help is when I was punched. Went to the ER, nothing's broken, but my jaw is so sore! Also when she made contact, the force threw my head back and I pulled a neck muscle.

Would you press charges against this patient? She is already due for a court date for a similar charge.

Wish I knew but {{{{{{{{{{Meerkat}}}}}}}}}}} -- I worked psych for a little while and got out when it got so I felt in danger! Was standing between two patients and one popped the other right in the eye, right over my head. Good thing I am short...

Anyway - the hug was one of commiseration - I don't know what to advise!

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I would discuss the situation with your supervisor, but my first reaction is YES, press charges.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Sorry you had this awful experience [[[[hug]]]]

Violence should NEVER be accepted as something nurses must tolerate in the course of our duties.

The fact this adolescent is an inpatient, should not preclude her from being held accountable for assault. I feel, sadly, any charge levelled against her, would probably be thrown out of court because of the fact she's deemed mentally deficient. But... you could still try and have her charged and see where it leads.

Another view..... I guess you have to weigh up whether or not you'll achieve any satisfaction from doing so. And, would it really change the fact it happened, or the outcome?

Sometimes the best comeback is to walk away and determine to live YOUR life beautifully. Be glad that YOU aren't walking in her shoes.

There's SO many diferent ways to look at any one thing.

Only you can decide what you want to do.

Again, I'm really sorry you had this experience.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Well..........why would she ever take responsibility for her actions if no one makes her? Seriously, even with mental issues she is a teenager. How many teenagers have you ever met that would take responsibility for their behavior if they didn't have to? Work with your facility, but i do not think you do the patient any favors by letting her get away with it. Violence is unacceptable as a way of dealing with problems. Period.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.

IMHO, before pressing charges discuss this misfortunate incident with your supervisor, and/or a peer you trust & can confide with about work related issues. Seems like to me this unfortunate line of fire you were caught in goes with the territory. Does this make such an event justified? Of course not. However, I've never worked as a Psych RN, so my opinions are not as valid as someone with such experience.

Curious though, did your place of employment run you thru some patient takedown inservices. The type where your taught to takedown the patient with the least likely harmful results to you & the patient? If you choose to stay in this nursing specialty I would venture to say these types of events will raise their ugly head again. It is one thing to be more alert to such the next time, yet better if trained to handle such an event the next time, too.

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Specializes in pure and simple psych.

It is important for both of you that she is charged with criminal behavior. She will never learn to be responsible for your behavior and you will not feel justification until she is charged. Understand, many states will not have a law that supports this, and many institutions will not want this to happen due to the concerns about bad publicity. Perservere. You have a right to be free from violence where ever you are. If the behavior had occurred at Denny's, would the police been called? If so, do not allow them to treat you with less respect than a waitress.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
It is important for both of you that she is charged with criminal behavior. She will never learn to be responsible for your behavior and you will not feel justification until she is charged. Understand, many states will not have a law that supports this, and many institutions will not want this to happen due to the concerns about bad publicity. Perservere. You have a right to be free from violence where ever you are. If the behavior had occurred at Denny's, would the police been called? If so, do not allow them to treat you with less respect than a waitress.

IMHO, Denny's for breakfast & an incident at an adolescent psych unit seems like apples to oranges. Of course, such behavior is unacceptable & unexpected at a restaurant. However, although such behavior is unacceptable at an adolescent psych unit it is certainly not out of the norm.

Agreed, this teenager has some severe social issues. However, is she suspect of criminal behavior R/T criminal intent w/forethought & malice? Or, were axns on impulse D/T inappropriate social skills? My concern is ... what is the best consequence to facilitate the best outcome for this teenager? I don't know this patients HX, or prognosis to a favorable outcome via rehab.

Again, I have no first hand experience in Psych NSG. I will say I've had experience with such via friends & family.

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IMHO, Denny's for breakfast & an incident at an adolescent psych unit seems like apples to oranges. Of course, such behavior is unacceptable & unexpected at a restaurant. However, although such behavior is unacceptable at an adolescent psych unit it is certainly not out of the norm.

Just because it may not be out of the norm, does not make it acceptable. If the same thing happened even inside of a correctional facility, there would be charges brought to bear. If the patient is Incompetent, then charges would not help as they would be dismissed anyway. However, MOST adolescents that are on a psych unit are fully competent, and know what they are doing. For them to get in trouble now as a minor, might just help force them on the right path so they do not make the same mistakes or worse in adult life. As long as the patient is competent, press charges. They need to know it is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Attacking a nurse is a felony here, but one that is rarely used.

Lawyers are going to jump all over the fact that she's in a pysch unit and thus deserves to be let off the hook, and did you use proper communication, blah blah blah. Probably not worth the drama.

Like others, my first instinct would be yes, press charges.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Just because it may not be out of the norm, does not make it acceptable. If the same thing happened even inside of a correctional facility, there would be charges brought to bear. If the patient is Incompetent, then charges would not help as they would be dismissed anyway. However, MOST adolescents that are on a psych unit are fully competent, and know what they are doing. For them to get in trouble now as a minor, might just help force them on the right path so they do not make the same mistakes or worse in adult life. As long as the patient is competent, press charges. They need to know it is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated.

Originally Posted by Corvette Guy

IMHO, Denny's for breakfast & an incident at an adolescent psych unit seems like apples to oranges. Of course, such behavior is unacceptable & unexpected at a restaurant. However, although such behavior is unacceptable at an adolescent psych unit it is certainly not out of the norm.

_ _ _

I never posted her behavior was acceptable, did I? ;)

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Attacking a nurse is a felony here, but one that is rarely used.

Lawyers are going to jump all over the fact that she's in a pysch unit and thus deserves to be let off the hook, and did you use proper communication, blah blah blah. Probably not worth the drama.

Like others, my first instinct would be yes, press charges.

Like usual, I'm in the minority, LOL. My first instinct is not to press charges!

Agreed, this teenager has some severe social issues. However, is she suspect of criminal behavior R/T criminal intent w/forethought & malice? Or, were axns on impulse D/T inappropriate social skills? My concern is ... what is the best consequence to facilitate the best outcome for this teenager? I don't know this patients HX, or prognosis to a favorable outcome via rehab.

Don't we need to know a little more bkgrd [w/o HIPPA violation... of course] about this patient before we go pressing criminal charges? How many times does this sort of axn take place at an adolescent treatment facility? I'm not saying the patient can haul off and swing at people at the treatment facility w/o consequences. What I'm trying to say or inquire is what other alternative measures can be taken to fit the axns of this patient?

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