When I decided to start this page , one of the things I promised myself is that I would continuously bring attention to the Mental Health crisis in this country. Little did I know one of my first posts would be about assault on healthcare workers, and the victim would be myself. I am an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) at a State Psychiatric Hospital.
Did you know on average 57 nurses are assaulted every day ? That is 2 nurses attacked every hour. Healthcare has become one of the most violent fields in the country. These statistics are from general Emergency Departments and hospitals. In the psychiatric facilities the numbers are much higher. Unfortunately, violence in the workplace has become so common that it is now considered an unpleasant part of the job and ignored instead of reported. The reasons are many and some are unknown. Patients in Psychiatric units need direct care and a high level of care. They have little control over their life and many have no proper way to communicate frustrations. Nurses spend more time with their patients than any other health-care providers. If nurses do not fulfill the role the patient wishes then violence plays out. The stress of understaffing is another factor that can lead to delayed care for the patient and that leads to violence. The studies I have been reading are also about verbal and emotional abuse. I once told a co-worker “They (the patients) call me “bitch” and “whore” so much, I believe I am one at the end of the day.” We laughed at the time , but really it’s not funny. At my place of employment the verbal abuse is a non-issue and there are no consequences for the way that the patients speak to the staff.
I was assaulted because a patient wanted someone else’s snacks. This patient lunged and struck me with a closed fist 5 times in the head and face. At first there’s only shock. After the code was over and everything settled, the supervisor wanted to know if I was going to get checked. I’m sure she was hoping for “no” because my leaving would create a staff shortage for the rest of the shift. I was hurriedly handed an injury packet and sent on my way. No one was concerned if I was driving or….? My husband drove me and thankfully the physical injuries weren’t severe. The wave of overwhelming emotion hit the next morning. I cried every time I thought about it for a couple days. Disbelief, fear, humiliation, stress, insomnia, and guilt creep in. Will there be severe emotional trauma, and will I despise my profession?
Of course I dove into research about these incidents. I knew it had gotten bad, but the reasons patients are frustrated surprised me. Healthcare has become just like any other business. Have you noticed at the end of every visit, every call there is a “Patient Satisfaction Survey”? Yes it is all about getting the patient and keeping them happy-at any cost. So when a patient is dissatisfied with care and they have other stressors it is a recipe for violence.
Workplace violence is never acceptable and no matter the aggressor’s physical or psychological status, they should be held responsible. In the state I live in physical violence against nurses is a felony 5 with a $5,000 fine. But we are heavily discouraged against pressing charges. Victims of workplace violence should be able to work through an incident with the support of administrators and colleagues. Sadly, this doesn’t usually happen. Nurses are leaving the profession because of the risks. The nursing profession is already facing massive shortages for other reasons. Violence against health care workers is not new and there has never been any resolution to this growing issue.
I have chosen to see a therapist to deal with the trauma. I am not a violent person. The thought of the skin to skin contact of a punch/hit/strike literally grosses me out. I have insomnia, flashbacks of the incident, bouts of tearfulness, and I have been self-isolating. Physical symptoms like heartburn for DAYS and a flair up of psoriasis which those two things only happen to me with extreme stress. Like I’ve mentioned I will always look for information for self-help in times like these. Usually a “How To” book or audible or both is a good place to start for me , I picked this one-The Real Issue in Nursing Stress and Mental Health Issues: A Short Book Every Nurse Should Read. https://amzn.to/3umt8cR. I want to be a nurse again. I can’t be that robot who just does a job, collects a check , and goes home. I became a nurse because I instinctively enjoy caring for others. Just like many others in the healthcare field.
