Life on the front line
Today I was threatened with physical assault by a patient. It's not the first time, and it probably won't be the last. It's not a regular occurrence, and Lord knows I don't experience it on the level that my colleagues in Emergency Departments do. But it's shaken me.
I'm a relatively large fella, on the upper edge of 6' tall and quite broad through the shoulders. However, I'm no fighter. I've used the phrase "couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper bag" more than once. After this incident I've had the shakes and my train of thought is ruined. Which to some extent compromises the care of the patients under my responsibility. Thankfully, I have a solid team around me at work for support.
According to result statistics, Australian nurses are more likely to be at risk of attack in their workplace than police officers. And I have no doubt this is the same worldwide. The recent shooting in Chicago that took the lives of a police officer, a doctor and a pharmacy resident upset me, and the statements from the NRA that medical professionals should "stay in their lane" when it comes to advocating for gun control in the United States boiled my piss. Are we not entitled to feel safe?
"Gayle's Law", legislation for two remote area nurses to be rostered in areas has been passed in South Australia but not fully implemented. There are calls for mandatory sentencing for perpetrators of violence against emergency and healthcare workers, but this may bring about further issues and doesn't really resolve the issue at hand. It's not that simple.
I don't have the answer. I'm not sure anyone does. But don't threaten me with harm, I'm just trying to help and doing my job.
I'm a relatively large fella, on the upper edge of 6' tall and quite broad through the shoulders. However, I'm no fighter. I've used the phrase "couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper bag" more than once. After this incident I've had the shakes and my train of thought is ruined. Which to some extent compromises the care of the patients under my responsibility. Thankfully, I have a solid team around me at work for support.
According to result statistics, Australian nurses are more likely to be at risk of attack in their workplace than police officers. And I have no doubt this is the same worldwide. The recent shooting in Chicago that took the lives of a police officer, a doctor and a pharmacy resident upset me, and the statements from the NRA that medical professionals should "stay in their lane" when it comes to advocating for gun control in the United States boiled my piss. Are we not entitled to feel safe?
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| Fuck you buddy |
"Gayle's Law", legislation for two remote area nurses to be rostered in areas has been passed in South Australia but not fully implemented. There are calls for mandatory sentencing for perpetrators of violence against emergency and healthcare workers, but this may bring about further issues and doesn't really resolve the issue at hand. It's not that simple.
I don't have the answer. I'm not sure anyone does. But don't threaten me with harm, I'm just trying to help and doing my job.
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