Understanding and Managing Violence in Psychiatric Nursing

Psychiatric nurses are on the front lines of caring for the mentally ill. They work in collaboration with doctors, families, advocacy groups and fellow health-care providers to create and maintain a safe environment for themselves and their patients.

Significance

• In a 2007 study by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), psychiatric nurses identified their personal safety as among their top concerns due to the threat of workplace violence

Misconceptions

• The belief that violence is normal for nurses or "part of the job" can lead to under-reporting of violent incidents and less emphasis on curbing threats.

Preventing Violence

• The APNA advocates treating patients with dignity and respect in a safe, culturally sensitive setting that maximizes the patient's freedom and ability to make choices for herself.

Intervention

• Reducing stimulation, actively listening to the patient, diverting his attention, setting limits and communicating expectations can be used to reduce the likelihood of a violent outburst.

Managing Violence

• Secluding and restraining patients can effectively control their behavior, but the APNA advocates less intrusive measures for managing patients when possible.