[FNPhopeful]

I just started my psych rotation and lets just say I was a little uncomfortable. How do you talk to these people?
I was paired up with a young lady to just, ya know talk to her a little and she started telling me about herself then got agitated and walked away from me mid sentence, twice. Are there certain ways to approach these people?
What not to say?

And there are also alot of young men there- and Im a small in stature blond girl. Ive had some weird guys making advances at me already and I dont know what to do! Im there as a nurse and I have a certain level of responsibility to offer therapuetic communication but I feel like Im on the defensive!

Any tips guys?

[RNDave]

I would say any "off" behavior from your patient is just something to document and not to be taken personally. Maybe move on to another patient if you can't make a connection. Get with your instructor about how to establish professional boundaries for the "weird guys". Of all my rotations, I would say Psych was where I felt least effective. It was a good experience, but I think psych is a field where extra training is really needed. I felt like a poor imitation of a bad psychotherapist.

Dave

[MBA2BRN]

I agree with the above poster. You are taking their bxs WAY too personally! I worked psych for many many years before entering nursing school. FYI, many psych patients are out and about in the community.

I knew one lady who was a supervisor and another who was a business owner. In both cases I doubt their employees had any clue (or maybe they did?) Anyway, you have interacted with Psych patients before, you just were unaware. Now that you are aware and you may not notice that you have some bias toward them even if it is unintentional. They are human and can pick up on any prejudices or bxs on your part that show that you are uncomfortable. "These people" (as you put it), are the same as many other patients you have met in the past and should be treated as such; with respect.

As for the patients acting inappropriately, they should be treated in the same manner you would treat a non-psych patient who acts inappropriately. If you do not know how to counter their behaviors or set boundaries, then please speak to your instructors! GL.

[lizprn06]

I am a psych nurse. Most of the patients just want someone to talk to and welcome the students presence in the ward. You can get alot of information for your careplans from just a few minutes of talking and observing the patient. Just treat them like you would any other patient, just remember that their disease is in their mind, not their body. Just like you are not going to "cure" your patient in heart failure, you are not going to "cure" you bipolar or schizophrenic patient either so don't worry about feeling ineffective.

[Bonny619]

wow, great advice. I start my psych rotation Monday, i'll remember this!

Originally Posted by lizprn06

I am a psych nurse. Most of the patients just want someone to talk to and welcome the students presence in the ward. You can get alot of information for your careplans from just a few minutes of talking and observing the patient. Just treat them like you would any other patient, just remember that their disease is in their mind, not their body. Just like you are not going to "cure" your patient in heart failure, you are not going to "cure" you bipolar or schizophrenic patient either so don't worry about feeling ineffective.

[locolorenzo22]

A patient is a person, a psych patient is still a person. Many just want to have the chance to interact with someone. If someone makes an unwanted advance a firm "Sorry, but I have a boyfriend, and if I'm going to be a professional, I can't jeopardize my standing with my instructor...etc." suffices. Just don't view them with any more bias then you would another patient.

[firstyearstudent]

Whatever you do, DON'T dress sexy for psych. Many of the patients are hypersexual and doing this just encourages them. We had one gal who would wear low-cut blouses and 6 inch stiletto heels and then complain that one of the patients was dogging her. Dressing conservatively won't protect you from unwanted advances, but it doesn't send unintended messages.

If a patient makes sexual comments or advances, don't react. If the comment seemed intended to unsettle or intimidate, meet it with a "who do think you're talking to" look, a moment of silence and then proceed with the assessment/conversation. If pushed make a very clear statement that you are there in the capacity of being a nursing student and are not interested in having personal or sexual relationships with patients. If the comments continue, say you don't feel comfortable continuing the conversation and walk away. If you are afraid, tell your instructor.

If the comment seems to come from a place of harmless hypersexuality. I'd be a little more tolerant (some of these folks just can't help themselves). I'd say something to the effect of "no thanks" and steer the conversation elsewhere.

It's the patients that seem emotionally needy as well as sexually interested that may be hardest to deal with. It's hard to reject them. I might just kindly say that personal and sexual contact with patients is unethical.

[miss arron]

my sister has been in and out of hospitalization for bipolar depression for the past 6 months or so and i have spent alot of time in the several wards and crisis centers.... and like everyone else said, they all just want to be treated like a person and not a disease. if someone walks away or gets agitated don't take it personally. and if they are behaving inappropriately, tell them, if they keep doing it, walk away.