ackiepieRN replied to lynds80's topic in Psychiatric
Yes, I agree with you 110%. I could not see myself working anywhere except psychiatric/substance abuse nursing. I did the med/surg thing for a year to get experience (which I will never regret) but I, much like you, hated the fact that I could not gi...
These are my top 5 choices (no particular order), for what a typical day on our inpatient psychiatric/detox unit is like: 1) Napoleon XIV - "They're Coming to Take Me Away" 2) AWOLNATION - "Sail" 3) Hurt - "Overdose" 4) Shinedown - "45" 5) The Beatle...
ackiepieRN replied to nursedanny614's topic in Psychiatric
As you can see, that certain nurse is my role model (haha, kidding ) I agree with Meriwhen. There have been patients that have pushed me over the limits - to the point that I have cried in the dirty utility closet or tried desperately to "zen and cen...
ackiepieRN replied to kennybania's topic in Psychiatric
I have worked all three shifts as well and have found that 3-11 works the best for me right now. I always found day shift was WAY too hectic and had "too many hands in the pot." Sometimes I felt co-workers would overstimulate certain patients and lea...
ackiepieRN replied to chelleanne's topic in Psychiatric
We have a 16 bed unit, and if we are "full" (12-16 patients) we can have the following staff: Days: 3 nurses, two techs, 1 secretary, + ancillary staff (case managers, OT, SW) Eves: 3 nurses, two techs, 1 secretary Nights: 2 nurses, two techs That is...
Hi all! After many months of putting this off, I've decided to get my MSN! I'm a ball of nerves and excitement. My start date is 5/1/13. Anybody with me? ... and on a subsequent note, anyone gone through this particular program? Any pearls of wisdom...
ackiepieRN replied to Elladora's topic in Psychiatric
Oh, I have received what I refer to as "the look" many a time before from nurses, doctors, friends, family, etc. when I tell them I'm a psychiatric/addictions nurse. "The look" is a combination of shock, fear, and disgust - usually followed by such s...
ackiepieRN replied to WendyBensonRN's topic in Addictions
I work in a small community hospital in Connecticut. Sure enough, we've had a few cases of patients taking bath salts. The initial presentation is paranoia, violent behavior, and pretty delusional/grandiose thinking. More often than not, we get young...
ackiepieRN replied to jessi1106's topic in New Nurse
I've been a nurse for 8 months and had to take 2 1/2 sick days ... we're only allowed 3 a year, but thankfully I can use my "earned time off bank" which currently has about 100 hours. In nursing school, I had Mono but it wasn't the type that went awa...
ackiepieRN replied to mozella's topic in Geriatric
Like all have said before, its all about the policies and procedures manual. Consider it a second bible. Our documentation of narcotics is ... archaic and annoying to say the least. We chart on the computer what time the medication was given. In the...
A newly diagnosed lung cancer patient with mets, almost everywhere , rings the call bell. I go in and ask what I can get for him. He wants some water with lemon. Okay, no big deal. I get it for him and leave. Light goes on again. The water isn't HOT....
BARF IS RIGHT! LOL I am totally loving this topic by the way. :redbeathe Since our census at the hospital is high the day shift assignment has been bumped up to 6 patients on most days (which makes 5 seem like cake now). I had a dream that my assignm...