Civilian Nurse Reporting PTSD Service Member

[Kikumaru]

I have been challenged lately with a decision I made. I was asked to come in and assess a service member who was part of a battalion and needing help. My organization is not military, it's a civilian organization. As I was asking him questions he became quite paranoid, agitated, and unwilling to answer with my questions. I stated to some of the non-military nurses in this battalion that I felt he was a danger to himself and possibly to others. I stated I felt they should receive some intensive mental health treatment and consider that he may become dangerous to those around him. One of the RN's said to me "This is what we deal with all of the time, we are used to it." Furthermore, they went to my supervisor and stated that I was being "too extreme." This deeply insulted me and now my confidence is diminished. I do keep wondering if something could happen or was I extreme. Any feedback?

[NursePamela]

You are a nurse first - listen to your instincts and see if you can do more of an assessment. I would also get more feedback from someone else. Is there an MD or another counselor you can talk to?

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

Civilian nurse in a military organization - I would think there would be a ton of operating procedures established for PTSD - I would talk to supervisor.... in the reg army PTSD and traumatic brain injuries have a lot of focus and policies... procedures..etc.

v/r

[JDCitizen]

OK I don't know your organization but you were asked to come in and assess a service member?

Depending on the basis of the interview and how it was conducted and what that service member's thoughts about why and how the interview was being conducted could be a factor also.

I presume there is a chain of care structure that needed to be addressed?

I don't know but I would be pretty sure with the way the military and the VA has been getting hammered about mental health issues there is tons of instructions concerning MH issues....