In 2019, Natasha Poirier was assaulted while working as a registered nurse at the Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital in Moncton.
“I was severely assaulted by the husband of one of our patients. What followed after that was a criminal trial because I chose to press charges, and then a civil trial, and following that, I was dismissed from my job, so my grievance followed that,” says Poirier.
She suffered numerous physical and mental injuries and now has post-traumatic stress disorder.
Poirier worked in health-care for 28 years and decided to write a book as a part of her recovery.
“This was my memoir for myself, but while talking with my daughter she also saw the bigger picture, and she encouraged me to release the story,” Poirier tells our newsroom.
She says she suffered in silence and is now finally coming out of her shell.
“As I was writing the book, my perception of things started to become bigger than me. I realized this issue needed some discussion,” Poirier says.
“What I’ve come to realize is that violence in the health-care setting, especially in hospital settings, is prevalent. It’s not talked about very much. We don’t often hear the aftermath, the impact that it has on the victims.
“So I guess the book is a call to action for change. I hope it brings solace to other victims of workplace assault, and that it gives them kind of the courage to continue on.”
She says violence in hospitals happens a lot more often than the public is aware of. It is both physical and mental, harassment and bullying and health-care workers endure it regularly.
Poirier is hoping to deliver the message that it is possible to have a better quality of life.
“I can’t change the world, but I can do my part,” she says.
The book, “Unsure: Bearing Witness to Justice”, was written with the help of a ghostwriting company.
The book is available on Amazon and an audiobook is now available.
“I’ve started receiving messages from other people that have suffered similar situations, and it just makes me feel like I’m not alone in this, “Poirier adds.
She says it has been a long road but she is now receiving the help and support she needs.
