Protect nurses
In 2007, the provincial government introduced workplace violence legislation. The public sector unions worked with the government in the development of the legislation,
and employers were given notice that this was an issue that would no longer be ignored.
So why is it that four years later, as an employee of the IWK Health Centre, I am still struggling to convey the seriousness of this issue to management? Every day in this province, nurses are subjected to verbal, emotional and physical abuse by patients and families; nurses and other members of the health care team are punched and slapped. The perception that nursing is a profession of caring is one that is held by many. Providing compassionate, competent care is difficult in an environment when the safety of the nurse, other members of the health care team and the other patients and families is in jeopardy.
As nurses, we have a professional responsibility to provide safe, competent care to our patients and we make every effort to do so. We also have a right to expect that our employer will make the same effort to insure that we are able to provide this care without fear of assault, injury and/or verbal abuse.
I urge the employer at the IWK to address violence in the workplace as a serious issue in an expedient manner—the health and safety of its nurses is at great risk.
Shannon Wark, Porter’s Lake
This article appears in Feb 4-10, 2010.
This is a very important issue. It is not a part of anyone’s job description that they may be subject to physical violence on the job. This is not acceptable and should not be tolerated. The IWK must act to protect its nurses adequately and demonstrate that it is serious about nurses’ and all workers’ safety.
Edson
As a nurse that has been subject to physical assault that ended up in hospital stays and years of physio, has had and watched verbal threats from some physicians and experienced regular bullying from patients and worse, other staff, I do not advise any female I know to ever consider nursing as a career. While the IWK was mentioned in this article, I do not know of any organization that truly protects its’ nurses. I have worked for many years, and other then the very rare suspension of another nurse, have not witnessed nurses supported to take a stand against offenders by any part of management, HR, or unions. “Rocking the boat” with a complaint does not end favorably for most victims of work place bullying even though “policy” might claim zero tolerance. In fact, if one reads the research on the subject, the person being victimized more often than not, ends up leaving the job. The very nature of the anti-social personality of a bully ensures eventual isolation of the victim and manipulation of other staff to take part in the cruel mission. Quietly learning to avoid being the targeted nurse becomes the only way to cope, not unlike surviving the school yard bully. Fortunately I am nearing the end of my career and long ago learned to keep my head low and my mouth shut. For the nurses that follow me, I know most will not make a life long career of care giving. Unlike the generation before them they will choose better options once faced with the reality of the profession, despite the original calling into a profession that is heartfelt and a dedication.
As someone who was recently in a hospital, only the threat of violence one day kept the nurse from shooting me up with morphine yet again ! Just because a doctor says give patient x this much morphine this many times a day…does not mean the patient agrees.
I realise I had been smashed up & the surgeries put my leg back together. But being in a state of morphine induced stupor (also know as nodding) for 2 days was ENOUGH. My skin had bugs crawling underneath it, my digestive tract had shut down. I was disorientated & the last damn thing I needed was more damn drugs.
So therefore I used the only thing I had…threat of violence if you try to stick anymore of that shit into me. I’m not proud of that, & i did appoligise afterwards. But i had been asking for the dose to be reduced so i could attempt to stay awake for more than 20 minutes between shots & the nurses said only a doctor can make changes, well then go get the damn doctor !
Sorry to hear you have so much violence & abuse in your work place, but as someone who’s been there on the other side…we feel completely powerless & the nursing staff often seems not to care & some nurses seemed to perfer IMO, the whole ward they’re in charge of was unconscious !