Psych patients

I'm an inpatient geri-psych nurse. This yr we broke a number record of pt's, since our unit opened over 5yrs ago. I tend to agree the reasoning is attributed to all of the above.

Yes, psych pt's are on the rise in our ED as well. Lots and lots of them are showing up lately. Three years ago, I did not even really know what IVC (involuntary commit - danger to self or others) meant. We just did not see that type of pt all that often... Nowadays, it would be unussual to show up for a shift, and not see at least three or more IVC pt's on our tracking board awaiting placement (on a good night!). We have had multiple nights of housing 10+ IVC pt's, on top of the non-commited psych pt's who are also hanging around in our ED too... Very frustrating for all parties involved.

Although, there is now one thing that I know for sure, it is that I shall never choose to specialize in that area of nursing exclusively. Bless those who have decided to work in that realm...

I also work in a geri psych unit and we have been staying full and having to refer out. It has been crazy. We also have seen a lot more adults in our er recenty. Unfortunately, we don't have an adult unit yet, but the demand is increasing more and more

Hi everyone!

There is definitely an uptick in the number of psych patients due to a perfect storm of circumstances. The economy, soldieres returning from the war(s), and overall high stress levels.

My baby brother, Kevin, committed suicide on June 9th 2009. He had been in and out of psych facilities, usually against his will. He was intelligent, charming, funny, and sadly, bi-polar.

I observed my brother closely. I understand how hard it can be to deal with psych patients. It is very easy to get mad at them. But they cannot help it just as a person with a brain tumor cant help it.

I guess the frustrating part of psych is that there is really more art than science involved in treating these disorders as there is no really good way to monitor and normalize the various neurotransmitters involved.

My thanks to you nurses who work in psych. It is truly a labor of love.

I have just been accepted into nursing school and I am thinking of specializing in Psych. My brother was a pharmacist and knew his science from every angle. I hope I can make him proud.

I hope somehow he knows how much I miss him. I wish I had told him that I loved him. I cant ever recall telling him that.....just as I can't ever recall hugging him....

I won't make the same mistakes again.

WoW!! 6 of 15 is a lot

Sounds like you are part of a great team at a great hospital :0

Very sorry to hear about your brother.

I graduated as a Registered Psych nurse in 1984 then became an RN in 87. I like psych. I find it's important not to be judgemental. I tend to set the mood on my unit, by playing alot of music and dimming the lights.

It seems we too are having an increase in psych admissions... our psych dept is closing 7 beds though... good times ahead for the ER!

Very very sorry to hear about your brother... I think most of the frustrations ER nurses feel is because we are not equipped to properly care for these pts. In my hospital, we have two psych rooms, pts may have to stay there for up to 3 days before getting a bed. It is frustrating to have a pt stuck in a small room, not allowed to leave (if formed) and not have the time to sit with them, it doesn't feel like you're helping them at all!