Violence & Interventions 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.