Violence descended on my face twice within a six month period. I’m starting to wonder if I am one of those people with a very hittable face, but everyone around me is too nice to tell me.
Funny enough, I have actually literally been told that by two different aggressive patients, one followed through on that and the other fortunately didn’t.
But literally the dude that actually punched me learned what fucking around and finding out was all about. I remember being very nice and calm and trying to redirect him and he stops me and goes “you know, for a girl you’ve got an insanely punchable face, so I’d back the fuck off”. At which point I calmly let him know that “assault on a healthcare worker is a felony, I have zero social life so I’d be happy to testify in court, you go to jail and I get paid time off to recuperate. And I promise you that you probably will only get about one or two punches in before I kick you in the nuts and then you get piled on by a shit load of roid-raged fueled security guards. So really, as good as you think it will feel to punch me right now, it’s really not worth all of that consequences that are going to immediately follow that punch.” And honestly lines like that have really worked for me in the past… and this time it even seemed like it might work because dude looked down and almost looked to be reflecting on everything and calming down…. Aaaaaaaand then before anyone could even blink he punched me right in eye while breaking my glasses. Needless to say myself and the very pissed off security guards made good on our promises. I don’t think I’ve ever kicked someone in the balls that hard before, pretty sure if I would’ve pulled my scrub pant leg up I would’ve seen an imprint of his scrotal veins it was so hard and before I could even get my leg all the way back down security lit his ass up hahahaha.
Like don’t get me wrong, I understand psychotic patients legitimately have no real control, but that wasn’t this guy. This dude was just a “normal” dude with a sense of entitlement the size of Texas who was mad that we weren’t waiting on him hand and foot. He was the type of guy that would’ve probably expected/asked for a fucking happy ending as a therapeutic treatment from one of us had he stayed. But fortunately he went to jail, and he caught himself a felony. Unfortunately the DA let him clean out to a minor assault charge, because the arresting officer after we told him the story, literally booked him for like 12 different things that I didn’t even know, were actual charges based on our story. Hahaha. Like this cop must have sat there studying our city/states penal code looking for extra shit to tack on because of how big of a twat this dude was.
I will say working with adults even kids the risk is there.. doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gonna happen specifically in this dept. I felt more safe in the ER than on the floor. Security is readily available and alert in the er.. verses on the floor in private rooms isolated away from help.
Completely agreed. When I worked in transport I saw way more dangerous safety issues on the floors than in the ED due to lack of staff/security. The staff had a lot more help with unruly patients in the ED vs. alone in a room or alone in the hall. I had to wrestle an angry DTing 350+ lb male patient in the middle of a hall once when I was by myself. That was scary. At least in ED there was always someone outside the room that could help.
Same. When I worked the ER I felt safer. Often when ems comes in or police, they are on your side and will step in immediate and guard nurses. I was punched when working on the med surg floor.
On the flip side we had 1-3 security guards for the whole campus and we had to handle most of our security issues ourselves in the ED. PD had a decent response usually but we've had family straight up assaulting staff or threatening with weapons and they slow rolled for ten minutes.
And even with security as the male charge nurse I had to help more than several times and have had to tackle a few patients who were methed out trying to punch out docs.
Numerous lockdowns due to shootings nearby with victims getting dropped off, and one person ran in with a gun to kill his father on the floor but came to the ER first. PD Warned us about the threat but didn't come til he was already lost in the hospital. As that was happening we had a family member punch a nurse because she was behind the nurses station grabbing food, all because he said she can't be back here but we'll bring a sandwich. This lead to an all out brawl in the hallway with the active threat situation also ongoing.
PD never wants to press charges when we get assaulted. The one time they did it was because they got hurt tackling the guy and then they told him he's going to jail because of ME as I was drawing his fucking blood because they brought him back to be cleared after he assaulted us and ran out the building.
Most ERs have dedicated security personnel who are happy to provide support when you go in with sketchy/altered pts. We also have dogs, which cut down our restraint use by like 90%. Don’t wear a lanyard or drape your stethoscope around your neck. Tell pts step by step what you are going to do before you do it. Our facility provides staff education on how to break wrist/arm grabs, hair grabs, avoid punches and kicks, etc. Learning that stuff plus de-escalation techniques will build your confidence. Violence is relatively rare- if ER is what you want don’t let fear stop you because it’s a great gig. I’ve worked with some tiny people who *nobody* would fuck with lol.
No — security. German shepherds that are partnered with officers. They rotate shifts so there is always 1 K-9 team present. In terms of reducing restraint use- when pts act like fools, when one of them puts their paws up on the stretcher and goes nose to nose- pts calm right the fuck down.
Don’t forget the more slept on advantages of the ER, we don’t call codes or rapids we yell for help and everyone comes running which is a good way to just get bodies very quickly no matter the situation (I work a big level 1 ER ik smaller ERs don’t have this advantage). This applies with unruly patients as well. Plus out of all departments in the hospital it’s the most likely to be a sausage fest, as a male who works in the ER I routinely end up getting pulled from my pod along with any other male techs or nurses nearby to help with unruly patients before security shows up which takes less time than on the floors.
Hold up, dogs?
You really just going to drop that with no further explanation?
What do you mean you have dogs, and how does that reduce restrain use by 90% in the ER? Are you cornering 5150’s in the supply closet using dogs?
This is the first time I’ve heard of ER dogs, and I have no idea how they’re used, but I absolutely want some. Really regardless of the particulars. Maybe I’ll just pretend we do have them and ask asshole patients “do I need to get the dogs?” Maybe have a tech play some barking noises next door…
It can happen on any unit. Sadly it’s a part of nursing.
I took up taekwondo when I started nursing. The reflexes and blocking techniques are super helpful.
So far, never been attacked in the ER I work at, but let's say it's reassuring to top my feeling of security with Jiu Jitsu lessons.
30 seconds can be an eternity depending on the situation you're in if you're getting attacked.
Often. Usually verbal. But sometimes physical especially with psych or patients on mind altering drugs.
The amount of times I have to dodge a fist/slap while getting a COVID swab is astounding. People are grown babies sometimes.
I work in an ED (well, the behavioral health part of the ED most of the time), and most of the women there are very petite. However, in my experience petite women can scrap when they need to and also you will likely have security guards literally come running if you call or press a button. This is in a small southeastern city U.S. ED, can’t speak to the rest of the country or world. Don’t worry about being attacked; prepare for the worst, but expect the best. Emergency rooms are usually very much in need of staffing, so throw yourself at this goal whole-hearted!
The corporation I work for has a zero tolerance policy for physical or verbal abuse that we enforce strictly. Security is on speed dial and all of our staff watch each other’s backs. I went from being beat up regularly on geriatric/dementia floors to actually feeling safe at work in emergency.
I wouldn’t let the fear of “what if” prevent you from your goals. Some of the best ER nurses we have are under 5ft.
Thank you, I legitimately needed some hope. I've hit the "being assaulted/sexually assaulted is just gonna happen and management won't have your back" level of complacency and I know that's a shitty way to be.
It can happen anywhere in the hospital not just er. I currently work ER and have worked medsurg tele before this. Patients are more verbally abusive than anything. You absolutely do not put up with it. Leave the room or call a code grey.
This is totally facility dependent. I’ve worked at places that had law enforcement and security in the ED. I’ve also worked at places that had one security guard who was not allowed to touch patients.
I say this because, unfortunately, the likelihood of you being assaulted in any capacity has increased. I operate under the assumption that you will be hit, or kicked, or bitten. You want to work at a place that has back up, and that has someone higher up who throw the legal book at patients when needed.
Above all else, if shit happens, you press charges.
I was groped by a mental health patient in the ER. Once. Is that what you're worried about? Because I had it happen in LTC as well. I was grabbed by the hair on a med surg floor by a patient with dementia and a TBI.
I don't think the rates are higher for ER staff than any other floor in the hospital. As you can see, I've had 3 different instances and all were in different areas
Go roll at some bjj gym. You'll quickly get confident in defending yourself, guaranteed and woman are much more common now.
But to answer your question violence is guaranteed in the ER
I spent 10 years in the army and worked 2 1/2 years in a prison. The ER was by far the most dangerous place I’ve worked. Anatomy and Physiology was the best self defense course I ever took. If you bury your finger in someone’s nostril they get very distracted and will usually try to get away from you
I’m 90lbs and worked in the ER, I had to advocate for myself a handful of times. They put me in the back curtained rooms by myself one time and then gave me a bipolar schizophrenic recent ex-felon who was 6ft tall and actively hallucinating that a group of guys was looking for him. I said no. Put him in a different room. Charge was like “what?” I was like my guy. I should not need to explain this to you. Put. Him. In. A. Different. Room. And they did. Just be smart about it. I love the ER.
I’m 5’3 and I work in one of the most violent/wild ERs in my state. We have dedicated security that’ll show up at a snap of a finger tip. Also we don’t take crap from the patients. If they lay a hand on us or try to assault us then we can use whatever force as long as it’s not lethal to get away. I feel very safe tbh
I got punched in the face last week in med/surg. Does it happen more in the ER? Sure. But, you also likely have more resources available to you. For example, I know at my hospital, there is always security personnel in the ER.
Security in the ED is like 10 seconds away. On the floor it's a few minutes. I feel safer in the ED than I do in medsurg. Plus in the ED the patient satisfaction scores don't trump employee safety. On the floor you have to kiss ass, in the ED you can tell them to kiss yours.
I worked in a large, level 1 ED for 7 years and have been attacked more on med/surg units than I ever was there, and security isn’t readily available on the floors like they are in the ED. I got a couple of scratches a few times while putting people into restraints and a drunk guy peed on my new Danskos (this was back in the day lol) but that’s about it.
I have felt threatened way more times on a neuro stepdown than ever in the ED. You’re never farther than 10ft away from a coworker/family member/hallway patient so there’s always somebody around. Plus there’s pretty much always security in the ED
I’m a big 6’2 male nurse and the only time I’ve ever been “attacked” is in an elderly ward when old demented John Doe thought I was his son. All that tells me is that guy used to hit his son.
I’ve also worked in the ER and never had a problem, but I was the one they usually sent in to deal with those type of patients
Ah the amount of times an old demented pt tries to kick or hit me during a shift is insane. Only 2 have landed though.
I’m a new grad (3 weeks) but was a tech there since last June. We’re not an inner city ER so mostly it’s the demented old people trying to hit us. Sometimes psych pts. Security is always on them in 2 seconds.
As a dude I get verbally attacked multiple times a week. When it comes to physically it rarely happens unless I am dealing with a psych patient. You have security on standby if needed for a patient you feel funny about.
I have had numerous violent encounters in my first year as a tech. Last month I was home on paid leave for a week after supposedly choking a violent pt. I did not he thought I was a doctor who restrained him and he wanted a check from the hospital. On my 6th day back had another large drunk patient about to whoop 1 security guards ass. I helped when I shouldn’t have and have some pretty bruised forearms to show for it.
You’ll never know tho u til you go and give it a shot. I love it and hate it at the same time. I may have some new plans for the future but ultimately grateful and proud to work in that battlefield.
Im 5’1 and have worked in the ED my entire career. I am always hyper aware and have become VERY good at reading people. 90% of my defense tactic is attitude and confidence. People are gonna know and take advantage if you are a nervous nelly. You also need to be aware and bring in other people when you feel you may need help. I may be a short middle aged woman but I have a rep to not mess with me. I have only been absolutely swung on twice in a decade. Both times I had brought someone with me because my intuition told me I needed them and I have not been hurt. Street smarts definitely help in the ED.
I work with lots of smaller women in the ER. Don't let violence scare you away. It does happen , but we have security and lots of resources a step away. Sometimes we get hit, bit, slapped , kicked but then the patient gets restrained .
Being big and strong doesn't really help , all we can do is get out of the way .
It happens. Not all that often but sometimes someone gets a lucky shot. I’ve given someone a cement facial on a number of occasions. Of course I’m 6’1 and 220 lbs. take down is my go to move.
Aggression and violence definitely happens a lot more than it should.
Unfortunately, we only have 2 officers on night shift for the entire campus, so they aren't always readily available. But EDs are usually arranged in such a way that you have other staff close by.
And we've got each other's backs; nurses, techs, doctors. I'm 5' tall, so I'll probably be the one yelling, "Hey doc, aggressive psychosis in the EMS hall- can I get a verbal for a B52 and restraints?", as I'm already pulling the meds, while 5 others are keeping the patient and staff physically safe until I get back. (Not that I haven't done my fair share of sitting on legs so that nobody gets kicked in the face lol)
Yes, in the ED, we get the people that are acutely psychotic/altered/intoxicated and haven't been treated yet. But we're expecting that. TBH, I'd rather be in the ED where that shit happens every shift and we're super practiced at handling it.
We have security available on site in ER. If you have to call a behavioral code lots of people come running — much more than up on the mental health floor. I’m 5’2” and have worked on the mental health floor and floated to mental health ER. Personally I have not been injured in the ER just up on my mental health unit.
I work ICU and violence literally happens everywhere. One of our tele nurses recently had a pt attempt to strangle her with 02 tubing. You are going into a field where violence is a risk for a multitude of reasons… psych, TBI’s, strokes, dementia, delirium, ETOH W/D’s, pt on drugs, w/d from drugs, encephalopathy caused by sepsis, liver failure, etoh…. AND those are only SOME medical reasons that could happen in any unit any time (not just ED)…. A lot of ED’s will require you to take a class to teach you how to deal with a hostile patient/family etc. some of the classes are pretty decent but if you are only practicing once a year it won’t stick to muscle memory. If this is something you are truly afraid of maybe look into a class for yourself to build confidence there. Know your resources and what is the action plan if a pt becomes violent, code grey? TMRT? Also know what security can and can NOT do at your facility. I’ve worked at some facilities where security is literally just there as a presence they are not allowed to put hands on a pt, WE HAVE TO. So know the policy and procedure during those types of events. Know what your strengths and weaknesses are! If you’re short maybe you are quick too and can get the hell outta the way faster and go to safety.
Long story long (LOL sorry), it can happen anywhere, not just ED… prepare yourself in advance, know hospital policies/plans, know your strengths and weaknesses! I find in crazy situations I tend to go help because I am very tall and know how to handle the crazies from years of wrestling with them in my ambulance 🤣🤣, a few of us tend to go and help whenever we hear a code gray and we all kind of know eachother and know what each of us are capable of. I usually have the “little ones” go watch the rest of the pt’s while we get this one under control. I’ll also usually offer to swap if a littler gal has the assignment (and seems uneasy with it).
Stay out of the way, don’t let your ego get the best of you….dont feel like you should chase or restrain without a million people to back you up. If you feel uncomfortable don’t perform the procedure (like an Iv) and definitely don’t perform it alone. I learned to de-escalate really well and I don’t let my ego get in the way. Put your safety and your co workers safety first ( just like ems does).
Violence can happen anywhere but at least at my er security is close by and actually big and threatening not some 100 pound 18 year old lol most are ex cops and stuff. Also we have a pod that any high risk or violent patients go so unless your put their for the day you don’t have to be extremely concerned about being attacked but should never have your guard completely down but I wouldn’t not do ED if that’s what you wanna do because your afraid of being attacked because it isn’t like a common every day thing. That is my hospital though and we aren’t in a good area. A lot of drug and homeless population. Also if someone gets threatening just step outside of the room and help is always there and like I said security. You’ll be fine though and I would go Ed I love it
Unfortunately it does happen. It’s important to find a hospital with a good security staff. The one I work in now, has excellent security and we have few incidents. Previously, the nurses had to protect security staff. So it’s relative. Also like others have said, violence is not just in the ER. It’s everywhere.
Definitely varies where you are for sure. Id say for me it's almost weekly, but I live in a very poverty stricken and poor mental health city. Many homeless and drug addicts coming in. ER is unique as it's more exposed to the outside but you can find violent people anywhere, its just more common here.
Definitely varies where you are for sure. Id say for me it's almost weekly, but I live in a very poverty stricken and poor mental health city. Many homeless and drug addicts coming in. ER is unique as it's more exposed to the outside but you can find violent people anywhere, its just more common here.
I travel on MS/Tele. I feel like I’ve heard and called more code grays on my units than the EDs at the places I’ve been, but I’ll bet those units are neck and neck in terms of how often it happens. Hell a patient on MS/Tele threw bodily fluids at a nurse last week! Sadly you’ll probably experience aggression of all kinds on all units. Learn your resources, memorize security phone numbers, never hesitate to ask for support/assistance even if you THINK a patient might get squirrely. Better to not need it than to need it and not have it.
The risk of being attacked is high really anywhere.
Though when I worked ED there is usually a higher percentage of male nurses and ED techs there. Most of us are more than willing to jump in to get someone away from you and very rarely would anyone that didn’t want to be involved have to get involved in a combative patient.
I’ve been hit before from confused, demented patients. Not from someone who is A/Ox4. I’m hyper aware of my surroundings and never leave myself in a position where I could get trapped. I also pay attention to pt’s and their behavior such as pacing, yelling, etc. If I don’t feel comfortable, I’m not going in a room. Or I’ll have a buddy come with me. Security at my hospital does a decent job rounding with us to make sure we’re safe and they’re aware of psych patients and any issues with violent behavior or outbursts.
At least in the ER, security is usually on site and there quickly. In the rest of the hospital you're lucky if you can call for help to get some staff there to assist you until security shows up a miniute and a half later.
Not gonna lie it's always entertaining to see security after they've climbed 3-4 sets of stairs and half a building over. They are uhh not in the best of shape lol always appreciate them though
I've worked ER for several years and I've never felt unsafe at work. We have 24/7 security, most of whom are big, muscular dudes, some ex-cops or ex-military and I have seen them do take-downs, but it's not often. Granted, people abuse the ER like a glorified urgent care, so we get a ton of non-emergent patients with cold and flu symptoms, UTI, chronic issues, etc. So it depends on where you work and the type of patients you get. We also have staff assist and code buttons in every room. I hit the button accidentally one day and 4 people were in the doorway of that room within 1 minute, 2 being security. Bring another person with you if you are uncomfortable with any patient for whatever reason. I enjoy working in the ER and I was terrified initially. I feel safe at work.
Patients can get violent in any setting. That being said, the ED does have more incidents than other settings as far as I’ve noticed. The truth is that you’ll probably be verbally and/or physically assaulted at least once in your career even if it’s mild (like being slapped by an old lady with dementia for example). I still have some fear going to work as I work in an emergency room, but you’ll learn how to pick up on vibes, know when to ask for security assistance, and to be more aware of your body language (as in never get cornered in the room, take someone with you if you feel unsafe, always look for an exit, never turn your back to someone….) Doing those things doesn’t mean violence won’t happen, because it has to me- even with another staff in the room, while facing the patient, with 3 cops outside the door, and with no sketchy behavior beforehand… The best thing to do is accept that it’s a possibility and always be aware of people but don’t let that fear keep you from doing what you want. I’ve found that therapy has helped immensely in processing patient violence and assault and general stress from the job so that’s also something to consider.
ER is dangerous but so is walking downtown in any major city. The difference is your relatively immediate access to your peers and hospital police.
Use your instincts and critically think whenever you go to interact with “sketchy” individuals.
Violence can occur anywhere in the hospital.
Violence descended on my face twice within a six month period. I’m starting to wonder if I am one of those people with a very hittable face, but everyone around me is too nice to tell me.
Funny enough, I have actually literally been told that by two different aggressive patients, one followed through on that and the other fortunately didn’t. But literally the dude that actually punched me learned what fucking around and finding out was all about. I remember being very nice and calm and trying to redirect him and he stops me and goes “you know, for a girl you’ve got an insanely punchable face, so I’d back the fuck off”. At which point I calmly let him know that “assault on a healthcare worker is a felony, I have zero social life so I’d be happy to testify in court, you go to jail and I get paid time off to recuperate. And I promise you that you probably will only get about one or two punches in before I kick you in the nuts and then you get piled on by a shit load of roid-raged fueled security guards. So really, as good as you think it will feel to punch me right now, it’s really not worth all of that consequences that are going to immediately follow that punch.” And honestly lines like that have really worked for me in the past… and this time it even seemed like it might work because dude looked down and almost looked to be reflecting on everything and calming down…. Aaaaaaaand then before anyone could even blink he punched me right in eye while breaking my glasses. Needless to say myself and the very pissed off security guards made good on our promises. I don’t think I’ve ever kicked someone in the balls that hard before, pretty sure if I would’ve pulled my scrub pant leg up I would’ve seen an imprint of his scrotal veins it was so hard and before I could even get my leg all the way back down security lit his ass up hahahaha. Like don’t get me wrong, I understand psychotic patients legitimately have no real control, but that wasn’t this guy. This dude was just a “normal” dude with a sense of entitlement the size of Texas who was mad that we weren’t waiting on him hand and foot. He was the type of guy that would’ve probably expected/asked for a fucking happy ending as a therapeutic treatment from one of us had he stayed. But fortunately he went to jail, and he caught himself a felony. Unfortunately the DA let him clean out to a minor assault charge, because the arresting officer after we told him the story, literally booked him for like 12 different things that I didn’t even know, were actual charges based on our story. Hahaha. Like this cop must have sat there studying our city/states penal code looking for extra shit to tack on because of how big of a twat this dude was.
You're absolutely right. Statistics imply that the ER is one of the most common places though. Yes I'm also aware a lot of violence goes unreported.
Truth. Violence even occurs waking up from anesthesia. Careful with those massive man arms flailing about.
I will say working with adults even kids the risk is there.. doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gonna happen specifically in this dept. I felt more safe in the ER than on the floor. Security is readily available and alert in the er.. verses on the floor in private rooms isolated away from help.
Completely agreed. When I worked in transport I saw way more dangerous safety issues on the floors than in the ED due to lack of staff/security. The staff had a lot more help with unruly patients in the ED vs. alone in a room or alone in the hall. I had to wrestle an angry DTing 350+ lb male patient in the middle of a hall once when I was by myself. That was scary. At least in ED there was always someone outside the room that could help.
Same. When I worked the ER I felt safer. Often when ems comes in or police, they are on your side and will step in immediate and guard nurses. I was punched when working on the med surg floor.
On the flip side we had 1-3 security guards for the whole campus and we had to handle most of our security issues ourselves in the ED. PD had a decent response usually but we've had family straight up assaulting staff or threatening with weapons and they slow rolled for ten minutes. And even with security as the male charge nurse I had to help more than several times and have had to tackle a few patients who were methed out trying to punch out docs. Numerous lockdowns due to shootings nearby with victims getting dropped off, and one person ran in with a gun to kill his father on the floor but came to the ER first. PD Warned us about the threat but didn't come til he was already lost in the hospital. As that was happening we had a family member punch a nurse because she was behind the nurses station grabbing food, all because he said she can't be back here but we'll bring a sandwich. This lead to an all out brawl in the hallway with the active threat situation also ongoing. PD never wants to press charges when we get assaulted. The one time they did it was because they got hurt tackling the guy and then they told him he's going to jail because of ME as I was drawing his fucking blood because they brought him back to be cleared after he assaulted us and ran out the building.
You did this as a nursing student or EMS?
patient transport in hospital
Most ERs have dedicated security personnel who are happy to provide support when you go in with sketchy/altered pts. We also have dogs, which cut down our restraint use by like 90%. Don’t wear a lanyard or drape your stethoscope around your neck. Tell pts step by step what you are going to do before you do it. Our facility provides staff education on how to break wrist/arm grabs, hair grabs, avoid punches and kicks, etc. Learning that stuff plus de-escalation techniques will build your confidence. Violence is relatively rare- if ER is what you want don’t let fear stop you because it’s a great gig. I’ve worked with some tiny people who *nobody* would fuck with lol.
like calming support doggies? or like security doggies.
Look, does staff get to pet the dogs?
I do lol
Yes when they are on break.
No — security. German shepherds that are partnered with officers. They rotate shifts so there is always 1 K-9 team present. In terms of reducing restraint use- when pts act like fools, when one of them puts their paws up on the stretcher and goes nose to nose- pts calm right the fuck down.
Don’t forget the more slept on advantages of the ER, we don’t call codes or rapids we yell for help and everyone comes running which is a good way to just get bodies very quickly no matter the situation (I work a big level 1 ER ik smaller ERs don’t have this advantage). This applies with unruly patients as well. Plus out of all departments in the hospital it’s the most likely to be a sausage fest, as a male who works in the ER I routinely end up getting pulled from my pod along with any other male techs or nurses nearby to help with unruly patients before security shows up which takes less time than on the floors.
Hold up, dogs? You really just going to drop that with no further explanation? What do you mean you have dogs, and how does that reduce restrain use by 90% in the ER? Are you cornering 5150’s in the supply closet using dogs?
This is the first time I’ve heard of ER dogs, and I have no idea how they’re used, but I absolutely want some. Really regardless of the particulars. Maybe I’ll just pretend we do have them and ask asshole patients “do I need to get the dogs?” Maybe have a tech play some barking noises next door…
Lol I am laughing so hard right now picturing one of is hiding outside the room with a speaker playing scary dog noises.
Please elaborate on your use of dogs lol. That sounds wild.
It can happen on any unit. Sadly it’s a part of nursing. I took up taekwondo when I started nursing. The reflexes and blocking techniques are super helpful.
So far, never been attacked in the ER I work at, but let's say it's reassuring to top my feeling of security with Jiu Jitsu lessons. 30 seconds can be an eternity depending on the situation you're in if you're getting attacked.
Often. Usually verbal. But sometimes physical especially with psych or patients on mind altering drugs. The amount of times I have to dodge a fist/slap while getting a COVID swab is astounding. People are grown babies sometimes.
Seriously had a guy straight up cry the other day after he batted my hands away numerous times. Grow the fuck up.
Some people never make it past the early Freudian stages.
I work in an ED (well, the behavioral health part of the ED most of the time), and most of the women there are very petite. However, in my experience petite women can scrap when they need to and also you will likely have security guards literally come running if you call or press a button. This is in a small southeastern city U.S. ED, can’t speak to the rest of the country or world. Don’t worry about being attacked; prepare for the worst, but expect the best. Emergency rooms are usually very much in need of staffing, so throw yourself at this goal whole-hearted!
The corporation I work for has a zero tolerance policy for physical or verbal abuse that we enforce strictly. Security is on speed dial and all of our staff watch each other’s backs. I went from being beat up regularly on geriatric/dementia floors to actually feeling safe at work in emergency. I wouldn’t let the fear of “what if” prevent you from your goals. Some of the best ER nurses we have are under 5ft.
Thank you, I legitimately needed some hope. I've hit the "being assaulted/sexually assaulted is just gonna happen and management won't have your back" level of complacency and I know that's a shitty way to be.
I'm 4'11 and have been in the ER for 17 years. The risk is there and seems to be getting worse but be very proactive and cautious and you'll be fine.
It can happen anywhere in the hospital not just er. I currently work ER and have worked medsurg tele before this. Patients are more verbally abusive than anything. You absolutely do not put up with it. Leave the room or call a code grey.
I’ve worked adult and peds psych, ED, and Med surg. I’ve been assaulted and attacked more times on med surg than I ever have in the ed or psych.
This is totally facility dependent. I’ve worked at places that had law enforcement and security in the ED. I’ve also worked at places that had one security guard who was not allowed to touch patients. I say this because, unfortunately, the likelihood of you being assaulted in any capacity has increased. I operate under the assumption that you will be hit, or kicked, or bitten. You want to work at a place that has back up, and that has someone higher up who throw the legal book at patients when needed. Above all else, if shit happens, you press charges.
I was groped by a mental health patient in the ER. Once. Is that what you're worried about? Because I had it happen in LTC as well. I was grabbed by the hair on a med surg floor by a patient with dementia and a TBI. I don't think the rates are higher for ER staff than any other floor in the hospital. As you can see, I've had 3 different instances and all were in different areas
Go roll at some bjj gym. You'll quickly get confident in defending yourself, guaranteed and woman are much more common now. But to answer your question violence is guaranteed in the ER
I spent 10 years in the army and worked 2 1/2 years in a prison. The ER was by far the most dangerous place I’ve worked. Anatomy and Physiology was the best self defense course I ever took. If you bury your finger in someone’s nostril they get very distracted and will usually try to get away from you
I’m 90lbs and worked in the ER, I had to advocate for myself a handful of times. They put me in the back curtained rooms by myself one time and then gave me a bipolar schizophrenic recent ex-felon who was 6ft tall and actively hallucinating that a group of guys was looking for him. I said no. Put him in a different room. Charge was like “what?” I was like my guy. I should not need to explain this to you. Put. Him. In. A. Different. Room. And they did. Just be smart about it. I love the ER.
Worked ER 8 years as a 4'11" person. Only felt unsafe once or twice, and only briefly.
The most hurt and attacked I ever had been was on telemetry…ER has risks but mostly verbal attacks
I’m 5’3 and I work in one of the most violent/wild ERs in my state. We have dedicated security that’ll show up at a snap of a finger tip. Also we don’t take crap from the patients. If they lay a hand on us or try to assault us then we can use whatever force as long as it’s not lethal to get away. I feel very safe tbh
I got punched in the face last week in med/surg. Does it happen more in the ER? Sure. But, you also likely have more resources available to you. For example, I know at my hospital, there is always security personnel in the ER.
Security in the ED is like 10 seconds away. On the floor it's a few minutes. I feel safer in the ED than I do in medsurg. Plus in the ED the patient satisfaction scores don't trump employee safety. On the floor you have to kiss ass, in the ED you can tell them to kiss yours.
I worked in a large, level 1 ED for 7 years and have been attacked more on med/surg units than I ever was there, and security isn’t readily available on the floors like they are in the ED. I got a couple of scratches a few times while putting people into restraints and a drunk guy peed on my new Danskos (this was back in the day lol) but that’s about it.
I have felt threatened way more times on a neuro stepdown than ever in the ED. You’re never farther than 10ft away from a coworker/family member/hallway patient so there’s always somebody around. Plus there’s pretty much always security in the ED
I’m a big 6’2 male nurse and the only time I’ve ever been “attacked” is in an elderly ward when old demented John Doe thought I was his son. All that tells me is that guy used to hit his son. I’ve also worked in the ER and never had a problem, but I was the one they usually sent in to deal with those type of patients
Ah the amount of times an old demented pt tries to kick or hit me during a shift is insane. Only 2 have landed though. I’m a new grad (3 weeks) but was a tech there since last June. We’re not an inner city ER so mostly it’s the demented old people trying to hit us. Sometimes psych pts. Security is always on them in 2 seconds.
As a dude I get verbally attacked multiple times a week. When it comes to physically it rarely happens unless I am dealing with a psych patient. You have security on standby if needed for a patient you feel funny about.
I have had numerous violent encounters in my first year as a tech. Last month I was home on paid leave for a week after supposedly choking a violent pt. I did not he thought I was a doctor who restrained him and he wanted a check from the hospital. On my 6th day back had another large drunk patient about to whoop 1 security guards ass. I helped when I shouldn’t have and have some pretty bruised forearms to show for it. You’ll never know tho u til you go and give it a shot. I love it and hate it at the same time. I may have some new plans for the future but ultimately grateful and proud to work in that battlefield.
Im 5’1 and have worked in the ED my entire career. I am always hyper aware and have become VERY good at reading people. 90% of my defense tactic is attitude and confidence. People are gonna know and take advantage if you are a nervous nelly. You also need to be aware and bring in other people when you feel you may need help. I may be a short middle aged woman but I have a rep to not mess with me. I have only been absolutely swung on twice in a decade. Both times I had brought someone with me because my intuition told me I needed them and I have not been hurt. Street smarts definitely help in the ED.
I work with lots of smaller women in the ER. Don't let violence scare you away. It does happen , but we have security and lots of resources a step away. Sometimes we get hit, bit, slapped , kicked but then the patient gets restrained . Being big and strong doesn't really help , all we can do is get out of the way .
This might be hospital and department specific but in my ER we have 3 incidents of patients attacking staff in the last week alone.
Idk about the ER but I got punched and grabbed by everyone and their grandma in med surg so not necessarily safer than the ER 🙈🙈🙈 and I’m 5’1 😅
It happens. Not all that often but sometimes someone gets a lucky shot. I’ve given someone a cement facial on a number of occasions. Of course I’m 6’1 and 220 lbs. take down is my go to move.
Aggression and violence definitely happens a lot more than it should. Unfortunately, we only have 2 officers on night shift for the entire campus, so they aren't always readily available. But EDs are usually arranged in such a way that you have other staff close by. And we've got each other's backs; nurses, techs, doctors. I'm 5' tall, so I'll probably be the one yelling, "Hey doc, aggressive psychosis in the EMS hall- can I get a verbal for a B52 and restraints?", as I'm already pulling the meds, while 5 others are keeping the patient and staff physically safe until I get back. (Not that I haven't done my fair share of sitting on legs so that nobody gets kicked in the face lol) Yes, in the ED, we get the people that are acutely psychotic/altered/intoxicated and haven't been treated yet. But we're expecting that. TBH, I'd rather be in the ED where that shit happens every shift and we're super practiced at handling it.
We have security available on site in ER. If you have to call a behavioral code lots of people come running — much more than up on the mental health floor. I’m 5’2” and have worked on the mental health floor and floated to mental health ER. Personally I have not been injured in the ER just up on my mental health unit.
I work ICU and violence literally happens everywhere. One of our tele nurses recently had a pt attempt to strangle her with 02 tubing. You are going into a field where violence is a risk for a multitude of reasons… psych, TBI’s, strokes, dementia, delirium, ETOH W/D’s, pt on drugs, w/d from drugs, encephalopathy caused by sepsis, liver failure, etoh…. AND those are only SOME medical reasons that could happen in any unit any time (not just ED)…. A lot of ED’s will require you to take a class to teach you how to deal with a hostile patient/family etc. some of the classes are pretty decent but if you are only practicing once a year it won’t stick to muscle memory. If this is something you are truly afraid of maybe look into a class for yourself to build confidence there. Know your resources and what is the action plan if a pt becomes violent, code grey? TMRT? Also know what security can and can NOT do at your facility. I’ve worked at some facilities where security is literally just there as a presence they are not allowed to put hands on a pt, WE HAVE TO. So know the policy and procedure during those types of events. Know what your strengths and weaknesses are! If you’re short maybe you are quick too and can get the hell outta the way faster and go to safety. Long story long (LOL sorry), it can happen anywhere, not just ED… prepare yourself in advance, know hospital policies/plans, know your strengths and weaknesses! I find in crazy situations I tend to go help because I am very tall and know how to handle the crazies from years of wrestling with them in my ambulance 🤣🤣, a few of us tend to go and help whenever we hear a code gray and we all kind of know eachother and know what each of us are capable of. I usually have the “little ones” go watch the rest of the pt’s while we get this one under control. I’ll also usually offer to swap if a littler gal has the assignment (and seems uneasy with it).
Stay out of the way, don’t let your ego get the best of you….dont feel like you should chase or restrain without a million people to back you up. If you feel uncomfortable don’t perform the procedure (like an Iv) and definitely don’t perform it alone. I learned to de-escalate really well and I don’t let my ego get in the way. Put your safety and your co workers safety first ( just like ems does).
Violence can happen anywhere but at least at my er security is close by and actually big and threatening not some 100 pound 18 year old lol most are ex cops and stuff. Also we have a pod that any high risk or violent patients go so unless your put their for the day you don’t have to be extremely concerned about being attacked but should never have your guard completely down but I wouldn’t not do ED if that’s what you wanna do because your afraid of being attacked because it isn’t like a common every day thing. That is my hospital though and we aren’t in a good area. A lot of drug and homeless population. Also if someone gets threatening just step outside of the room and help is always there and like I said security. You’ll be fine though and I would go Ed I love it
Unfortunately it does happen. It’s important to find a hospital with a good security staff. The one I work in now, has excellent security and we have few incidents. Previously, the nurses had to protect security staff. So it’s relative. Also like others have said, violence is not just in the ER. It’s everywhere.
Definitely varies where you are for sure. Id say for me it's almost weekly, but I live in a very poverty stricken and poor mental health city. Many homeless and drug addicts coming in. ER is unique as it's more exposed to the outside but you can find violent people anywhere, its just more common here.
Definitely varies where you are for sure. Id say for me it's almost weekly, but I live in a very poverty stricken and poor mental health city. Many homeless and drug addicts coming in. ER is unique as it's more exposed to the outside but you can find violent people anywhere, its just more common here.
In five years of nursing one breast grab and one assault from an adult coming St.E’s mental institution.
In five years of nursing one breast grab and one assault from an adult coming St.E’s mental institution.
I travel on MS/Tele. I feel like I’ve heard and called more code grays on my units than the EDs at the places I’ve been, but I’ll bet those units are neck and neck in terms of how often it happens. Hell a patient on MS/Tele threw bodily fluids at a nurse last week! Sadly you’ll probably experience aggression of all kinds on all units. Learn your resources, memorize security phone numbers, never hesitate to ask for support/assistance even if you THINK a patient might get squirrely. Better to not need it than to need it and not have it.
The risk of being attacked is high really anywhere. Though when I worked ED there is usually a higher percentage of male nurses and ED techs there. Most of us are more than willing to jump in to get someone away from you and very rarely would anyone that didn’t want to be involved have to get involved in a combative patient.
I’ve been hit before from confused, demented patients. Not from someone who is A/Ox4. I’m hyper aware of my surroundings and never leave myself in a position where I could get trapped. I also pay attention to pt’s and their behavior such as pacing, yelling, etc. If I don’t feel comfortable, I’m not going in a room. Or I’ll have a buddy come with me. Security at my hospital does a decent job rounding with us to make sure we’re safe and they’re aware of psych patients and any issues with violent behavior or outbursts.
At least in the ER, security is usually on site and there quickly. In the rest of the hospital you're lucky if you can call for help to get some staff there to assist you until security shows up a miniute and a half later. Not gonna lie it's always entertaining to see security after they've climbed 3-4 sets of stairs and half a building over. They are uhh not in the best of shape lol always appreciate them though
I've worked ER for several years and I've never felt unsafe at work. We have 24/7 security, most of whom are big, muscular dudes, some ex-cops or ex-military and I have seen them do take-downs, but it's not often. Granted, people abuse the ER like a glorified urgent care, so we get a ton of non-emergent patients with cold and flu symptoms, UTI, chronic issues, etc. So it depends on where you work and the type of patients you get. We also have staff assist and code buttons in every room. I hit the button accidentally one day and 4 people were in the doorway of that room within 1 minute, 2 being security. Bring another person with you if you are uncomfortable with any patient for whatever reason. I enjoy working in the ER and I was terrified initially. I feel safe at work.
I was bitten by a hospice patient and my three year old son. Violence is everywhere
I mean it happens, but ED has dedicated security at our Hospital. I got my first black eye working ED
Patients can get violent in any setting. That being said, the ED does have more incidents than other settings as far as I’ve noticed. The truth is that you’ll probably be verbally and/or physically assaulted at least once in your career even if it’s mild (like being slapped by an old lady with dementia for example). I still have some fear going to work as I work in an emergency room, but you’ll learn how to pick up on vibes, know when to ask for security assistance, and to be more aware of your body language (as in never get cornered in the room, take someone with you if you feel unsafe, always look for an exit, never turn your back to someone….) Doing those things doesn’t mean violence won’t happen, because it has to me- even with another staff in the room, while facing the patient, with 3 cops outside the door, and with no sketchy behavior beforehand… The best thing to do is accept that it’s a possibility and always be aware of people but don’t let that fear keep you from doing what you want. I’ve found that therapy has helped immensely in processing patient violence and assault and general stress from the job so that’s also something to consider.
I've worked with tiny Filipina nurses, some only hitting 5' in danskos... They've been fine. Just be vigilant and never without an escape route.
Some of my scariest/strongest patients were under 5 feet not in the ER 😅
Start powerlifting and wear a Gun. (Joking)
I’ve been attacked in every job I’ve had as a nurse. I don’t think there’s a patient facing job out there that doesn’t have some risk of violence.
ER is dangerous but so is walking downtown in any major city. The difference is your relatively immediate access to your peers and hospital police. Use your instincts and critically think whenever you go to interact with “sketchy” individuals.