Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1307977
18 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com November 9–December 14, 2020 When it comes to the violence facing nurses at work, statis- tics tell only part of the story. The profession of nursing is cen- tered around caring, which can be extremely difficult to prac- tice when we are afraid for our safety. Violence against nurses strikes at the very heart of what we do. "ELISE'S LAW" ★ Many states have passed laws making assaulting a healthcare worker a felony or have increased penalties for such assaults, especially for repeat offenders. (The California Legislature passed such a measure in 2015, but it was vetoed by then-Governor Jerry Brown.) In 2017, Massachusetts passed "Elise's Law" after nurse Elise Wilson, RN, was stabbed 11 times by a patient. That law requires that employers develop workplace violence prevention plans and provide employees with paid time off to deal with legal issues. It also requires that warning signs be posted in hos- pitals, sending the message that violence will not be tolerated. Yet, all too often, it is. "In my experience as a frontline nurse, workplace violence became commonplace; somehow both shocking and expected each time," says Brittany Turner, RN, MSN, nurse planner for the Ohio Nurses Association. "Oftentimes, the shock factor came from the response from my coworkers pressuring me to tolerate violence as a part of the job," she adds. "We can't change organizational response, pol- icy or law until we change our own nursing culture." WHEN CONFLICT SPARKS ★ Nurses in many practice settings may face a variety of emergent, rapidly escalating, sometimes dangerous sce- narios. Drug and alcohol withdrawal/detoxification, mental health emergencies and altered mental states can all potential- ly lead to violent situations — even if the patient has no history of violence. Patients or family members under high levels of stress may also present an elevated risk of violent confrontation. Across the country, people have come to blows over COVID-19 infec- tion control measures in supermarkets and convenience stores, so the potential for violence in a healthcare environment, where the stakes are even higher, is great. While we cannot control the actions of everyone who enters our care, we can empower our nurses with appropriate COMBATTING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE ADVOCATE: ◗ Learn more about the workplace violence policies in your organiza- tion and advocate for improvements. ◗ Join your state's nursing association to find out how you can get involved in health policy and legislative efforts at the state level. ◗ Ask about trainings in de-escalation tech- niques, crisis interven- tion and trauma- informed care. EMPOWER: ◗ Be kind. Now more than ever during the COVID- 19 pandemic, nurses are experiencing unimagin- able stress both at and outside of work. We may not know what our col- leagues are going through, but we can be kind and supportive. ◗ Support your colleagues who have experienced violence. Experiencing any type of violence is traumatic, and a little kindness can go a long way. ◗ Start a dialogue with coworkers to decrease the stigma surrounding violence at work. Acknowledging the impact of an incident and seeking help is never a sign of weakness, nor is it the victim's fault. ◗ Understand what resources your hospital offers, such as an EAP, and use them. ◗ Empower yourself. Acknowledge the impact of the stresses in your life and find healthy ways to manage them. Self-care isn't a panacea, but it is an essential, ongoing process. Prioritize your own mental health. SPEAK UP: ◗ Report any incidents of workplace violence according to your facility policy and/or local law. ◗ Tell your story. Talking about trauma, whether it is with a trusted friend, colleague, manager or counselor, can help you process the event and its impact. Never be afraid to speak up and ask for help. ◗ If you are in need of immediate crisis inter- vention or are having suicidal thoughts please: Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) or Call 1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline). WHAT YOU CAN DO