Nursing Is Not Okay

 

          I try really hard to not talk about work, but this past week nurses in Florida got some horrible news. One of our own was viciously and savagely attacked by a patient they were caring for. The patient beat her so badly that almost every bone in her face was broken and she most likely will lose both eyes. 

          When I became a nurse almost 27 years ago, patients would never think being mean or disrespectful to us was okay. They knew we were there to help them and they appreciated it. We did not fear for our safety. We did not stress that we were in danger of being physically or mentally abused, but these days that seems all too common. Nurses understand that the patients are not feeling well and that everything seems confusing and they have no control over what is happening to their bodies, but stop attacking the nurses as if it is their fault.

            I am not talking just physical attacks, though I have been hit and kicked before at work, I am talking the verbal attacks and threats against us. We are not your enemy, your waitress, your maid, or your family. So, stop treating us as if we are. Yelling and being rude to us will get you nowhere. In fact, it will have the opposite effect. We will just give you the basic care that is ordered and keep you safe. A smart patient knows that if they are respectful and kind to the nurse, that nurse will go out of their way to help you feel better. We want to help you, but we also want to be safe doing that, mentally and physically.

          Okay, I will get off my soapbox, like I said, I hate talking this much about work, but I needed to vent. Now I am going to try and relax. I had to call off work because I tweaked my back a bit and can not safely take care of the patients tonight. I need to take care of me instead.