hpcat

Latest Activity

1. Yikes! Violence?

   hpcat replied to Rnrpnwannabe's topic in Psychiatric

   If you're interested, give it a try. I've been doing it for 3 years and love it. You will learn to recognize when patients are escalating and how to bring them down. A good rappor with your staff is essential, as mine have actually prevented me from ...

2. Stand alone psychiatric facilities

   hpcat replied to avon123's topic in Psychiatric

   Just an FYI, psychiatric nursing shifts are typically 8 hours instead of 12. That's because the patients are really rough on the staff. Don't assume psychiatric nurising is easier, in fact it can be much more difficult. Some of my coworkers left psyc...

3. Mental Health First Aid vs CPI Training

   hpcat replied to krysta28's topic in Psychiatric

   If you work inpatient in a state psychiatric hospital or short-term acute hospital unit or facility, you need CPI. Typically the hospital will give you the training in a class. I have worked for the state and short-term acute, you need CPI to protect...

4. New grad job interview in psych

   hpcat replied to RunBabyRN's topic in Psychiatric

   Try to present yourself with confidence, they will want to know if you can maintain your cool in an emergency.

5. In over my head?

   hpcat replied to LoveAura's topic in Psychiatric

   For this type patient, you need to know crisis prevention & intervention (aka self defense for psych nurses), you need to be able to medicate with PRN and/or stat meds, over objection if necessary, and you need to be able to use seclusion and/or ...

6. Do you aspirate before giving an IM deltoid injection?

   hpcat replied to seasalt1023's topic in Medications

   I was taught in school to aspirate. But sometimes circumstances make it less than ideal. When medicating an agitated, adrenaline fueled psych patient who's being restrained by a half dozen staff, you need to consider the safety of the patient and sta...

7. very little patient interaction

   hpcat replied to Simply Complicated's topic in General Nursing

   I strongly believe that psych nursing has a huge "social work" component to it - the pt's social problems are the prime reason they become ill and the biggest barrier to getting well. The medical aspect to psych can be much lighter than any other kin...

8. very little patient interaction

   hpcat replied to Simply Complicated's topic in General Nursing

   I also started in psych which is the specialty I wanted, first a 13 week contract at a state facility, now at a small acute psych facility that used to have a prestigi0us rep but now on the wane and awaiting takeover from a hospital network. I work n...

9. MAR error - pt sent to hospital

   hpcat posted a topic in Safety

   I am about to leave a job at a psychiatric facility (my decision, got a job offer:yeah:). This was my first job out of school. The facility got a great rating from JCHAO. I had a contract position weekends double shifts and have floated to many ward...

10. Do Nurses Eat Their Young?

    hpcat replied to Brian's topic in Relations

    I'm a new nurse, and while there are nurses I meet who like to treat you like an idiot, MANY MORE are supportive and helpful cuz they remember what it was like to be new. Every workplace has its share of jerks, and I bet you're not the only one who t...

11. Pacifying a difficult family that will not listen to reason??

    hpcat replied to Work in Progress's topic in General Nursing

    I used to work for a case management dept of a hospital (nonnursing position) and saw what happened when families had to face loved ones whose health was declining and/or they could not be placed safely back home and needed LT care. #1 problem is den...

12. what should a new RN include in his/her resume?.

    hpcat replied to Sairygamp's topic in General Nursing

    Don't overlook the value of anything you've done, even for a short period, that is healthcare related. I did some volunteer work with emotionally disturbed children, did flu clinics, had a non-nursing job at a hospital, trained adults adjusting to di...

13. Retire by 30, thanks nursing!

    hpcat replied to ThePrestige's topic in General Nursing

    I had a major neck injury at age 35 but fortunately my then employer gave me long term disability insurance. I couldn't work or drive even for a year and a half. Short term disability and saved personal/sick time runs out fast - I was so happy to hav...

14. Bipolar + Nursing School

    hpcat replied to Commanderzoom's topic in Disabilities

    My daughter's nurse practitioner has bipolar disorder. She also has 2 MSNs (nurse practioner) in behavioral and peds, and is considered an expert on children with ADHD. You can do this.

15. Biggest Misconception about nurses you've heard

    hpcat replied to dinah77's topic in General Nursing

    Must be a "frenemy"