Suicide protocol

1. Locate and review the suicide protocol at your hospital unit or community center. Are there any steps you anticipate having difficulty carrying out? Discuss these difficulties with your peers or clinical group. How would you respond to another staff member who expresses guilt over the suicide of a patient on your unit?

2. Identify three common and expected emotional reactions that a nurse might have when initially working with persons who manifest suicidal behavior disorder.

a. How do you think you might react?

b. What actions could you take to deal with the event and obtain support?