Violence against nurses can be a dangerous aspect of one's nursing career. However, violence does not have to be part of a nurse's job. Violence can be prevented and avoided by nurses who are aware, well-trained, and in control.
Gerard Brogan, RN, RMN, RGN, a Nursing Practice Representative of the California Nurses Association, provides several tips on how to prevent violent incidents as a nurse, and what you need to know about violence against nurses.
What You Need to Know:
What You Should Do:
What You Should Ask:
If you are interviewing with a facility for a new job, or if you just want to be better prepared at your current place of employment, here are several questions you should ask to ensure that you will be working in a safe, secure environment.
With proper training and awareness, you can enjoy a safe and secure nursing career for many years to come.
Gerard Brogan, RN, RMN, RGN, a Nursing Practice Representative of the California Nurses Association, provides several tips on how to prevent violent incidents as a nurse, and what you need to know about violence against nurses.
What You Need to Know:
- Violence is not inevitable, it is preventable.
- Violence is not just "part of the job" of being a nurse.
- Being a victim of violence is not a failure on your part.
What You Should Do:
- Get proper training in safety procedures and violence prevention. Study and know the 'assaultive cycle', also known as the 'violence cycle'.
- Be aware of the early signs of impending violent behavior (before anger and agression are shown). Be sensitive in changes in the patient's mood, and mental and physical state. These signs of potential violence in a patient may include pacing, agitation, tension, clenched fists or jaw, lack of eye contact, refusal to communicate, and irritability.
- Commit to taking control, and take ownership of your personal safety. Be proactive, not complacent. Do not simply accept that violence is part of the job.
- Report any and all incidents of violence accurately and promptly according to your employer's policies and procedures.
- If your employer does not have firm safety policies in place, or if they do not provide accurate security or training, press upper management to do so. Be persistent!
What You Should Ask:
If you are interviewing with a facility for a new job, or if you just want to be better prepared at your current place of employment, here are several questions you should ask to ensure that you will be working in a safe, secure environment.
- What training do you provide to staff regarding preventing and/or dealing with violence?
- What is the policy regarding reporting of violent incidents?
- Does the facility employ security staff? If so, what is the policy for accessing/utlizing security personnel?
- What support is provided for staff who are victims of violence? (Such as medical treatment or counseling.)
- How many incidences of violence have there been in the last year? Two years? Five years?
- Does the facility adhere to OSHA guidelines for "Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Service Workers?"
- What are the staffing ratios (providers to patients)? (According to Brogan, studies show a direct correlation between staffing ratios and workplace violence in medical facilities.)
- What is the policy regarding bullying or lateral violence among the staff?
With proper training and awareness, you can enjoy a safe and secure nursing career for many years to come.