Comments on: Lash out verbally at nursing home employees

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 21 May 2007 00:57:43 +0000

Carolynn it’s pretty hard to remain professional when you’re getting hit, kicked, punched and otherwise harmed, physically on the job. Most aides are not prepared for this part of this work, as spoken of here before via comments from others. There isn’t enough mental health professionals in this work who can assist us with the special needs and demands, and challenges we face on a daily basis. People with Alzheimer’s Disease often do hurt staff, and sometimes it can really bad harm done. WE know this. Nurses know this. Yet it continues. WE chose to come back to work and deal with it all. To get slapped with a lawsuit is just another reason some will drop nursing as a career.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 18 May 2007 15:41:51 +0000

I agree with you, Carolynn, as long as those approaches allow for the very issue of harm to staff and the prevention thereof.

By: Carolynn Lindsey

Carolynn Lindsey — Thu, 17 May 2007 05:31:18 +0000

My question would be why would anyone who has made the choice to work with “sick” people feel they have a right to “lash out at the individual when behaviors occur? Part of being in health care whether as a nurse or CNA or unlicensed paraprofessional is separating oneself from the behaviors that may be demonstrated by patients. If one can’t do that separation maybe a change of careers is in order. A patient with behavior issues whether related to a psychiatric condition or some other condition like dementia or debilitating medical concerns are not responsibile for many of the outbursts they have and even if they may be aware as caregivers (being paid to offer a service) we are expected to maintain a therapeutic approach and environment for care.