[lberghood]

I've been a nurse 17 yrs and think that I have finally found my 'niche' in psych nursing. The work is less "task oriented" but the rewards are incredible. It does take a special person and I probably couldn't have done this work earlier in my career, because I felt the same way as the student who described wanting to 'strangle parents.' Thanks to those who posted; we all can make a difference in whatever field we choose. Please don't forget why we became nurses and don't lose your compassion and empathy - you will be excellent advocates for your patients. Agree with listening to patients; you can learn a lot from them.

"All caps" and punctuation edited to make post more easy to read.

[HarryPotter]

Good for you. You sound like a "natural" as a psych nurse. (I am one and have been since 1971). Too bad you live so far away. San Diego County is desparate for psych nurses.

[HarryPotter]

you sound like a "natural" in the psych field. If you ever are looking for a job in San Diego, post me.

[lberghood]

Thanks, wish you lived in the philly area!!!! Any tips for managing a chronic self harmer in the acute setting?

[sanctuary]

Originally Posted by lberghood

Thanks, wish you lived in the philly area!!!! Any tips for managing a chronic self harmer in the acute setting?

You might start by asking the message implied by the self-harm. Some do it to "feel alive", as pain equates with life. Try a rubber band on the wrist to replace cutting. If the the sight of blood is the desired effect, try water soluable markers, draw slashed on the arms, wrists, then run an icecube over them. The ice cube replicates the pain,and the ink runs and replicates the blood. If they cut in order to be restrained, try a swaddling blanket.
All behavior is a form of communication. Find the message, and respond to that.

[Cheerfulsong]

Originally Posted by sanctuary

You might start by asking the message implied by the self-harm.
Some do it to "feel alive", as pain equates with life. Try a rubber band on the wrist to replace cutting.
If the the sight of blood is the desired effect, try water soluable markers, draw slashed on the arms, wrists, then run an icecube over them. The ice cube replicates the pain,and the ink runs and replicates the blood.
If they cut in order to be restrained, try a swaddling blanket.

The problem with that approach is that
most people who self-harm, can 'consciously only guess' as to why. And
at least from my experience (having helped a number
such sufferers transform themselves into people they much preferred better), not one single person did it for "blood, or restraining".

Originally Posted by sanctuary

All behavior is a form of communication. Find the message, and respond to that.

Yes, and as the message lies, more often than not, 'hidden in their subconscious': do you know how to access it?, and respond with harmfree, positive suggestions? - for guiding the person in *transforming their life... healthily/happy as they want*

Annie

[...Morticia...]

Originally Posted by Vlynn

My psychiatric clinical experience was truly horrible. My rotation was at a children’s facility that had a fairly poor reputation in the way the staff treated the kids. I guess I was subconsciously preparing myself for the staff’s behavior, that I let myself be completely blindsided by the children’s histories and stories. What evil things some people can do to kids, is just mind boggling. It was the most hellish 6 weeks I’ve ever been through. Then my conscious starts working, and It made me feel even worse, in that I felt if this experience touched me so much, I should be willing to do something to help, and to change things, but I just don’t think I could work in that situation. I would be wanting to strangle some parents, and be constantly trying to figure out how to smuggle some of those kids out of there in my bag and take them home.
It take a special, special person to work in these areas, and I definitely look up to you.

Your experience is no different to the dozens of students we have pass through our unit, an acute youth inpatient unit in Australia. Our age group is 15 - 24 so many of the students are the same age as the clients and really struggle coming to terms with whats happening presently and happened in the past. I did a rotation at the unit I know work full time in during my grad year and for the first six weeks thought it was hell too. It took three months to settle in and I nearly had to sell my soul to get another rotation there as a post grad, I loved it so much. Your attitude, and the fact that the rotation touched you makes me think that maybe you should give it a go. I'm sure with a little more time there, things would be easier. They're a tough bunch of cookies but the rewards are amazing!