Occupational Violence Course

I have once been a target of occupational violence. Furthermore, I have witnessed occupational violence a couple of times. A time I much remember is when I witnessed a nurse get physically and verbally abused by a patient, who was an old lady, she was attending to: Occupational Violence Course.

The lady grabbed her by her hair and pulled her, causing her to fall over. It took the effort of two physicians for her to let go of the nurse’s hair. Such an incident is among others that highlight the risk of occupational violence that healthcare professionals, especially nurses, are exposed to.

Keeping nurses safe in the workplace is importance as evidence shows that the safety of the work environment is related to nurses’ health, presentism, and the quality and safety of patient care (Rainbow et al., 2020). It is a necessity to advocate for safe workplace environments for nurses. To keep nurses safe in the workplace, I would advocate for zero-tolerance for any forms of violence towards nurses within and outside of the workplace, ensure there is a guard or increased security for nurses who attend to patients that show signs of committing violence or have the potential to be violent towards nurses. Also, training nurses to handle potential cases that can lead to violence, including communication skills for de-escalating conflicts.

Most times safety within the workplace is a personal effort. It begins with recognizing the signs of crisis within oneself. I would recognize signs of crisis by checking on and monitoring symptoms of fatigue such as irritability, malaise, feeling less motivated, being anxious, having sore muscles, and finding it hard to concentrate on my tasks.

To ensure personal safety in the workplace, focus would be on sticking to a strict self-care program, including integrating regular exercises, getting enough sleep, and enough rest. I would also be a part of a collaborative team that also translates to a workplace support system.

One time I got frustrated by a delay by an insurer to approve the payment for a patient who needed immediate care. This situation was also frustrating to the patient as it delayed their care. Delays in access and delivery of needed care is a major factor for disease and condition exacerbation, leading to harmful health consequences (Findling et al., 2020).

It can also lead to higher cost of care, further frustrating the patient. Such frustrations can be rectified by having policies that require automated payment of planned care costs by insurers.

Subsequently, an event that I remember that was upsetting but not dangerous was when a patient said she would not accept me injecting her. She claimed that she felt her enemies sent me to kill her. I felt bad as she did not trust me as her caregiver.

I responded by smiling and talking to the patient. I explained to her who I was and that my concern was to give her the best of care. She finally smiled back, apologized, and accepted my care.

Verbal responses to the upsetting event that might have defused the anger and hurt feelings and helped to resolve the situation, “I understand your fear. But I am here to ensure that you feel safe and most comfortable.” and “I know, it is good to be this much careful of who takes care of you. But in here you are safe.”

To ensure that I am not in the role of workplace bully, I will ensure that I’m always empathetic and an active listener during all my interactions, reflect on my words and actions, and how they may affect others, and always focus on improving my emotional intelligence

References

Findling, M. G., Blendon, R. J., & Benson, J. M. (2020). Delayed Care with Harmful Health Consequences—Reported Experiences from National Surveys During Coronavirus Disease 2019. JAMA Health Forum, 1(12), e201463–e201463. https://doi.org/10.1001/JAMAHEALTHFORUM.2020.1463

Rainbow, J. G., Drake, D. A., & Steege, L. M. (2020). Nurse Health, Work Environment, Presenteeism and Patient Safety. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 42(5), 332–339. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945919863409

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Occupational Violence Course CDC

*To be completed anytime throughout the semester – due with SIM Day 4 documents

LINK: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-155/

Complete this course (approximately 3 hours) & submit a screenshot of proof of completion to the Sim Day 4 assignments folder. The training includes video clips, so please bring headphones if you plan to work on it on campus. Please complete all supplemental and additional resource material that comes up; they provide a wealth of information. After completion, reflect on the following:

Occupational Violence Course

1. Write about a time you witnessed or were the target of occupational violence. How will you advocate to keep nurses safe in the workplace? (100-word minimum length)

2. Internationally, an estimated 30% of nurses want to leave their positions because of worker-on-worker violence and abuse (McMillan, 1995). How will you recognize the signs of crisis in yourself and what strategies will you use to ensure your personal safety in the workplace? (100-word minimum length)

3. Think about the last time you became frustrated or concerned about something in your work environment. Is this something that could also frustrate a patient? How could this be rectified? (100-word minimum length)

4. Describe an interpersonal situation or event that was upsetting, but not dangerous, e.g., a rebuke by a supervisor or insulting remark by a patient or colleague (1 paragraph).

5. How did you respond, or why did you remain silent, e.g., fear of further rebuke, demotion (1 paragraph)?

6. Give two examples of verbal responses to the upsetting event that might have defused your anger/hurt feelings and helped to resolve the situation (mini crucial conversation, just 1 or 2 lines for each of the two responses).

7. Perpetrating workplace violence can have occupational and even legal repercussions. Reflect on how you will ensure that you are not in the role of workplace bully? How will you gauge your own behaviors for appropriateness? List 3 strategies.

*Submit to D2L Assignment Folder SIM4 O.V.C.

1. CDC course completion document
2. CDC course reflection questions