Not exactly an ideal situation. Many hospitals are teaching their nurses basic self defense techniques and. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are putting more emphasis on security with guards, metal detectors, and security cameras.

Some of the things I have learned is that nurses are highly trained, dedicated professionals who work under very stressful conditions caused by shortages of staffing and widespread drug and alcohol abuse. I learned a lot about the nursing profession doing some research for this article. Outside the hospital the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety reports that close to seventy percent of all hospitals are located in areas that have average or above average violent crime. As a senior I have spent much more than my fair share of time in operating rooms and Doctor offices in the last ten years due to a litany of serious medical problems and probably close to 8 surgeries in the last ten years.

There is a constant threat of assaults, beatings stabbings, shootings and even rapes inside and outside the facility.