Emergency room violence growing concern for nurses

[Joshua]

I have been perusing this thread about violence toward nurses and I have a question.
I am a male and I have an extreme amount of patience and self control. I also boxed for quite a few years. If I am attacked by a patient and I mean seriously attacked at what point am I able to defend myself? If I am being pummeled or assaulted with a weapon by a patient and cannot get away would I be fired for punching and possibly knocking the violent patient unconscience and/or causing even more harm to them than what they originally came to the ER for? I hate even thinking about it but the "what-if"scenarios do sometimes happen.
Has anything like this happened before? Nurses fighting back?

[medi]

Joshua I don't think being a nurse means you give up the right to defend yourself when being attacked. I do think anyone in that position has a duty to theirself to do what they can in self defense -- trying to do what's necessary without overdoing though. I guarantee you if I was being attacked I'd do whatever I could to defend myself!

I have been perusing this thread about violence toward nurses and I have a question.
I am a male and I have an extreme amount of patience and self control. I also boxed for quite a few years. If I am attacked by a patient and I mean seriously attacked at what point am I able to defend myself? If I am being pummeled or assaulted with a weapon by a patient and cannot get away would I be fired for punching and possibly knocking the violent patient unconscience and/or causing even more harm to them than what they originally came to the ER for? I hate even thinking about it but the "what-if"scenarios do sometimes happen.
Has anything like this happened before? Nurses fighting back?

[weekend driver]

hi there . i could not read this without writing a reply .
i think that there should be legislation for severe punisment by the authorities for the assaulting of a medical team like it exists for assault of police officers .
you can't punch a person in the face , get medical treatment and get away with it under excuse that agression is you way of coping with stress \ pain or whatever .

[AAINME]

i am an icu RN my husband is an er RN ..he just had his license suspended by the louisiana state board for being to rough with a patient that was confused and combative with meningitis....we are lost and afraid... my husband is a kind and gentle man....any advice would be appreciated......laura

[clemshady]

hello all,

My primary experience (read just out of school) was in an urban ER, level II trauma center. Routinely we would relieve patients and visitors of firearms and edged weapons. The administration seemed to be completely oblivious to the danger to staff and patients. Of 80 nurses, all but a few found new jobs in safer environments. Currently if there is no metal detector and no ARMED security I will not work for a hospital. Psych patients, career alcholics, and others whose medical condition would render thier ability to maintain control useless all subject us to unwarranted attention. As soon as the "ambulance chaser" attorneys key in on this situation it will become worse. Personally I am afraid for my license. I come to work for the 10-15% that actually need help, it is what make my job worthwhile.

I have heard.... could be rumor, that it is a felony for assaulting a health care provider in an emergent situation. Is this true or false?

my 2 cents worth,

clem

[AmandaWIRN]

I know that in Wisconsin it is a felony to assault a healthcare worker- I had the police bring in an intoxicated man for medical clearance before going to jail, and he spit at me. The officers then charged him with assault of a healthcare worker in addition to whatever he had been going to jail for in the first place... In regards to the nurse above who may lose her job over the patient filing a false report against her, I would contact an attorney and see if it is possible to sue this patient for libel &/or slander. It makes me so mad that losers who have nothing better to do than be "professional patients" in the ER can get away with potentially ruining the career of someone who was only doing her job & trying to help them.

[broadnaxyogi]

As sadd as it may seem, yes were are targets of violence and disrespect though we are trying to care for all sorts of folks from all walks of life. I attempt to be non-judgemental, and compassionate in all cases however I refuse to be assualted, abused, and disrespected physically, no matter what the cost because I have to live with, and die as me with or without a nursing job, get my drift.....:39: