Healthcare Workers Are Tired Of Being Punching Bags

Nursing is hard work. There is an emotional, physical, and mental toll associated with being a good nurse. Our job requires sacrifice, patience, and empathy and that level of dedication can really drain a person. We act as advocates and friends but despite our efforts to be an asset to our patients we, sometimes, become their personal punching bags.

Nurses are trained to be empathetic and kind caregivers. Most of us love the patient interaction part of our jobs, but it seems like it is becoming more and more dangerous to have that interaction. To truly display empathy, nurses have to let their guard down a little and connect with their patients. This makes the nurse more vulnerable while they are having patient interaction and could make it easier for them to be the victim of assault.

In Atlanta, in 2018, one woman wracked up half a dozen charges for assaulting hospital staff. One nurse ended up with two broken ribs as a result of this woman’s tirade. Nurse Ashley Schade was assaulted by a patient in 2018 in Washington. He threatened her life and wrapped his hands around her throat, squeezing until she blacked out. There have even been reports of nurses and doctors being assaulted outside of their facilities for treating COVID-19 patients. People are following them from the hospital and throwing rocks and bleach at them for saving lives. The world has truly gone crazy.

Some legislation has been introduced to help protect healthcare professionals while on the job, but we obviously still have a long way to go. Last year I actually had a long conversation with a nurse who was assaulted while on the job. Her name is Katie Blanchard. She was an army nurse that had has conflict with a civilian subordinate at work. As the weeks progressed he became more angry with her and made rude comments, threats, yelling and even cornered her in her office in a threatening manner. She had sensed that his anger was growing more volatile and tried to tell her superiors. She even documented everything in detail and warned the army that she was in fear of this man. No action was taken. Later in 2016 this monster, Clifford Currie, came into her office and doused her with gasoline and lit her on fire. He also attacked her with scissors and a razor blade. Katie suffered third degree burns to large parts of her body including her face. She screamed in agony and coworkers came in to help as quickly as they could but the damage to her body could not be undone. Katie screamed “I told you this would happen!” Sadly, no one took her seriously prior to the attack. Katie joined the army to serve her country and care for others. Where the hell was the care and concern for Katie? If someone would have just taken her concerns seriously, the outcome could have been completely different. Katie has had one 100+ surgeries and is still a fighter today. She speaks out about work place violence and is an inspiration and a hero. The attacker was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Army nurse Katie Blanchard RN.

When are things going to change? It is important that nurses be given the tools to protect themselves and the information for how to report verbal and physical assault in the workplace. But again I say that these reports need to be taken more seriously!

1. Violence doesn’t “come with the job.” Because of our penchant for empathy we may forget to hold individuals accountable for their actions. They may be drunk or in pain and they lash out, but we must insist on consequences. We must report every instance and we must follow through. The more consequences in place for this behavior, the better the chance that someone will think before they act out.

2. Report. Report. Report. Always report the incident to your superior and, if warranted, involve law enforcement. The hospital is not an island with no laws. The same laws that apply in the parking lot apply inside the doors.

3. Expect appropriate protocols. Find out if your facility has an appropriate protocol in place for reporting and dealing with assault. If they don’t, bring it up with your superiors.

4. Join campaigns to create laws to support nurses. You can Google your state and “legislation to protect nurses” to find out more about the efforts that are being made to make your job safer. In 2019, the House passed H.R. 1309, or the “Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act,” in a 251-158 vote. It would make reporting violence mandatory and would also require employers and facilities have plans to prevent violence. Reach out to your congressman or woman to support this effort being made into law.

5. Take self defense classes. Taking a class on defending yourself is always a great idea. It might be beneficial to let your instructor know that you work in healthcare and that your focus is really on removing yourself from a dangerous situation, rather than inflicting harm on another person.

6. Communicate with your colleagues. If you enter a room and feel that things aren’t going to go smoothly, bring a buddy in with you. Let them know that you have concerns for your safety and that you want someone there, in case things go south.

7. Keep personal information personal. Don’t give patients any information about yourself that isn’t necessary. They can piece together enough info to follow you once you are out of the hospital. Always be mindful of what you share.

8. Be careful leaving work. We all know how unsafe a parking lot can be, so be extra vigilant when leaving so that you aren’t followed or assaulted on your way home.

9. Support one another. If a nurse in your unit has been assaulted, back them up. Help them get the support they need from management and help them feel safe at work by being available should they need you.

In 2018 it was reported that 54.2 percent of all nurses had been the victim of either emotional or physical abuse while on the job. Half, guys. Half of the population of nurses in the United States has been verbally or physically assaulted BY PATIENTS or PATIENT FAMILY MEMBERS while trying to CARE FOR PATIENTS! I would say, “Let that sink in” but I really don’t care if you allow it to marinate. Change needs to happen so that our healthcare workers can stop feeling like the sacrificial lamb of society. We need to be held up for the role that we play and respected for the work that we do.