To not tolerate being punched in the face?

[featherbag]

I've just been punched in the face whilst at work (Nurse)! I'm gobsmacked! I've had the person arrested and charged, but I've been made to feel (by some colleagues) that an internal incident form would've sufficed. I disagree, I was doing my job in a professional friendly manner as always, why should this ever be thought of as an acceptable risk of going to work? I'm livid!

[itshothere]

Poor u op.yadnbu. I'm a nurse too and fortunately never encountered such violence. Had the odd nasty uneducated type comments which can easily be ignored or out witted (depending on my mood). I wonder how your colleagues would have reacted if it were them not you? Would an internal report have been sufficient for them? Doubt it. Enjoy your day off and try not to worry about going back there, hold your head high .

[pigletpower]

Poppypebble-I am also a secondary school teacher-why on earth wouldn't the police be called if you were assaulted by a student? First call would be the police and second would be my Union.

[featherbag]

I'm fine thanks, got a day off so going to make the most of it, not letting another thought of yesterday intrude on my time away from the place!

[PacificDogwood]

I've thought about this a bit more over night and am actually more aghast at some of your colleagues not being more supportive of you having reported this assault to the police.
Hope you are not more stiff/sore today

[lljkk]

yanbu

[Mimishimi]

YANBU. You should absolutely report any assault to the police and have the person charged. I've heard similar horror stories from a nursing friend at my dance class.

[MusicalEndorphins]

I am glad he didn't injure you more than he did. I believe you were right to lay charges, and your colleagues are martyrs if they tolerate abuse. Hope the rest of your day is better.

[MammaTJ]

in most cases see it as my own fault for not ducking fast enough

I have learnt to recognise the signs and duck quickly in these circumstances. It sound like this time there was no expectation of it or even any warning. YANBU!!

[SomethingOnce]

You've done us all a favour by holding this man to account.

Hope you're feeling better

[Shellywelly1973]

YANBU!! Take care of yourself. No one should tolerate being on physically attacked.

[Lueji]

You can ask your colleagues what if you had been seriously injured, taken out of action, possibly taking an hour of their time.
A punch is a punch and could have serious consequences.

YANBU at all.

[Yfronts]

How will he ever learn if he doesn't have to take responsibility for his actions

[Yfronts]

you are 100% in the right

[lurkedtoolong]

YADNBU. If there was no medical reason causing the person to be unable to be in control of their actions (and that doesn't include being drunk/drugged) then there is no excuse and no way you should put up with being punched.

I hope he is charged and I hope you feel better

[PacificDogwood]

I am totally with you on this one, featherbag - it's been a while since I worked in A+E and I am sure it has not become any less difficult.
I don't think your pride needs to be bruised though - well done for not letting it go.
Any idea what possessed him??

[featherbag]

Thanks for the kind words - really more cross now that the aftermath (statements etc) took me away from my patients for over an hour, placing added pressure on my colleagues. I'm determined not to let it go, I'm livid that this man (!) thought it was fine to hit me, even though I was trying to help him.

[Corygal]

He's nasty, not nuts. Throw the book at him. '
Hope you feel better tomorrow.

[Loulybelle]

Feather, well done for sticking up for yourself, sometimes you will get hurt by people, but they cant help it.

But there was no motive, you have the right to seek a little justice.

[Lifeisontheup]

Hope the rest of the shift is better OP.

[BumpingFuglies]

OP, can understand why you are cross. I hope you are ok and can get through your shift.

[featherbag]

Quick clarification as need to get back, I'm A&E, patient was NT. I've been hurt by patients with dementia before, or with another medical condition/injury which meant they couldn't be held fully responsible for their actions, I would never report to police for that and in most cases see it as my own fault for not ducking fast enough, but this man (not elderly either!) simply punched me, for no reason, and with no warning.

[poppypebble]

I teach in a fairly average secondary school and if anyone suggested getting the police involved for an assault by a student, your card would be well and truly marked by SLT. Doesn't look good. It is ridiculous.

However, I have also had a tooth knocked out by my very severely mentally ill sister when I tried to stop her absconding from the hospital, and reporting her to the police would have done no good at all, as she didn't have the capacity to understand what she was doing. I think it really does depend on whether or not the person was in control of their actions.

[wreckedone]

YADNBU. Hubby is a doc in a&e and the amount of stuff that staff have to put up with is unbelievable. Often it goes no further than an incident form because otherwise they'd be calling the police every shift, but it's a joke. And, of course, you can't refuse to treat them.

[DrGoogleWillSeeYouNow]

Last definitely a hospital.

[Bambalam]

At risk of being a bore, you should also report this as an incident feather if you haven't already. And YADNBU to have involved the police. Are these the same type of colleagues who wouldn't pipe up if something below standard was going on? It is too easy not to challenge the status quo but you are right to.