Improve Your Situational Awareness
Published
It's day 3 of the #ENDNURSEABUSE challenge.
As a nurse, you’re always focused on your patients. But you also need to protect yourself. Being aware of your surroundings at all times can help protect you from possible violence. Keep these strategies in mind during your next shift:
- Ask for help if you feel uncomfortable around a patient or visitors.
- Assess your surroundings for items that can be used as a weapon against you.
- Avoid turning your back on patients and visitors.
- Avoid isolated, dark areas.
- Be aware of all emergency exits at all times.
- Question the presence of unknown individuals in workplace and patient settings.
- Stay near a doorway in case you need to exit quickly.
When it comes to individual safety, you are your biggest advocate. Today’s challenge is to keep your safety top of mind in every situation you enter.
Share your experience with us in the challenge updates thread here, in our private Facebook group, or on Twitter, or Instagram. Tag us with #healthynurse.
Want to share this post? Use the social media links on the left side of your page to share it with a nurse and invite them to join this challenge here.
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Missed Day 2? Catch up here. Join us on day 4.
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04/06/2022 11:03am CDT
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Heading into dark staff parking areas after late shifts - a definite time for caution & concern. In the afternoon the open spots were always in the least desirable places - usually at the furthest away corner & top floor. After 11pm half the garage was empty so anyone late getting off was supposed to be accompanied out by security but that could take a while so most of us didn't.
@Mrs Sheena D Pracyk, RN When I had to leave late at night and walk through the dark lots or parking garage I always carried something to make me feel a little safer. I had pepper spray on a keychain that I knew how to use. My grandfather had always told me when he worked late night and had the same situation, he would grab a cup of hot coffee before heading out knowing he could toss it on an assailant if need be (it's weird the stories you remember hah)