advice 4 working w/homeless?

Noney · Oct 10, 2003

Carol, I don't have any advice as I don't work psych, or with the homeless. I just want to commend you on an honorable goal.

Noney

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2003

If you work on a psych unit for very long, you will deal with the homeless. Many of the homeless are chronically mentally ill, and are unable to sustain what most of us would consider a normal lifestyle due to their problems. They are unable to afford medication much of the time and will revert to old patterns once released, leading to another admission.

Ironically, many of the homeless people I have had as patients were among the first to complain about the beds, the food, roommates and so forth. Personally, I would prefer a lot of things to sleeping on the sidewalk and eating out of dumpsters, but there seems to be a strong sense of entitlement among many.

Will Benson · Oct 13, 2003

Hi Carol,

I've been a psych nurse for 15 out of 23 years in nursing. I think that if you are really committed to helping the homeless, you should consider starting in the community mental health centers. They see a lot of outpatients for medication management and counseling. Many of them also have some sort of homeless outreach program. The biggest role you will have is that of patient advocate.

When you care for homeless clients, realize that many of them are homeless because they choose to remain homeless. Reasons include "not wanting to be found", not wishing to give up the ability to come and go as they please, fear of institutions and many others that you will discover if you pursue this type of nursing. This doen't mean they can't be helped. It just means you'll have to help them on THEIR terms.

Congratulations on your graduation. I just finished my Master's in nursing in May as a non-traditional student (I'm 52).

Cewens · Oct 13, 2003

Will, thanks for the input!

I think your ideas closely fit my dream job, but do you have any idea about how easy it might be for a new grad to find a job with the Mental Health Teams? I am also wondering if I am being short-sighted about going directly into this area...and wondering if I should get more clinical skills first. On the other hand, after nursing school, I have found my heart to be more in the psychosocial areas in the community and not within the hospital setting.

I would love to create my own job, become a liason between the hospitals and the homeless ER patients, develop a respite center for those too ill to be without shelter but not ill enough to be admitted, and carry my med bag on hikes to the campers where I can do BP checks, blood glucose levels, HcG tests, urinalysis, and hand out prenatal vitamins. I have been told that to do this I had better pursue my Masters and learn how to write grants, but I am torn b/c I would rather focus on learning psych nursing skills rather than administrative stuff.Thanks again for your input! Carol.:)

TitaniaSidhe · Oct 14, 2003

Visiting nurses in my area have several psych nurses who go into the community & do what you are discribing. Keep in mind the very real danger factor of what you are suggesting also....not everyone will be happy to see you come to try to help them. I myself worked for 3 years prior to graduating at a center city drop in shelter with the homeless. I too loved it which was why I went into Psych nursing. Ihave to agree with Orac if you go into an admission unit you will see plenty of homeless peoples, many repeats. LOL yes they do have that wonderful sense of entitlement don't they...