Advice for student beginning psych clinicals?

hrtprncss · Aug 23, 2005

psych clinicals i think is the rotation where it's most laid back, my easiest block in nursing has been psych, though at first it seems intimidating having to deal with volatile individuals, but sticking to a group and being understanding and nonjudgmental are the best tools u can have entering ur psych rotation. that and u dont have to war those starchy white nursing school uniforms;)

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 23, 2005

A psych tech posted some wonderful advice over the summer that I meant to copy, but didn't. Now of course I cannot find it. I will be starting psych clinicals in a few weeks and wanted advice anyone has to offer, especially those seasoned in the field! Psych seems like such a different world from the standard ol' medical floors. What should I always remember? What should I worry about, or be thinking about? What types of situations might I encounter? etc, etc. Thanks, SG

You might try this link. It was posted during June, July, and early August.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109819&page=2&pp=10

jennielynn · Aug 23, 2005

I start my Pysch rotation next week also. I went back to the link posted prior to this--and it had some really good advice. Who knows--maybe we'll have some interesting stories to share also!

RNLisa · Aug 23, 2005

I just completed my rotation in Mental Health. Let me tell you, at first I was petrified about it, but it wasn't so bad. The first and foremost important issue is SAFETY. Safety for yourself, other staff, and of course the patient.

Beginning an assignment is always tough, you must first develop a therapeutic relationship with the client and develop trust. The client has to be able to trust you, or else he/she will not open up and you won't get all the information you will need to complete your assignment. Let the client know you are there FOR them and not AGAINST them. Let them know that you are nonjudgemental and want to help. Relay genuine interest and be open minded. You may learn alot. I know I did.

Treat each client with respect, they are just like you or I, except they have an illness. Always make sure your instructor or partner student knows where you are at all times, and never close the door with just you and the client in a room. Keep a doorway close and be aware of your own nonverbals. That is very important as well.

I wish you the best of luck, you will be fine.

dave1117 · Aug 24, 2005

Funny to watch the faces on the female students when the heavy metal door closes behind us and the patients all come to see who is visiting. Kind of like throwing fresh meet into the lions den. New people to tell their same old story. Quite sad actually. One week you will be interviewing a fairly chatty "normal" patient and the next week you will find the same patient curled up in a ball on the floor. We also spent 5 weeks in the crisis center. Meant for short term evaluation and treatment. You have the real "scary" ones here since they are not really medicated properly yet.

Again, if your opinion doesn't change about Psych nursing after this rotation your instructor did soemthing wrong. Some love it, some hate it. I just tolerated it, learned from it, decided I do not want to be a Psych nurse but learned to have greater compassion for the Psych patient.

Good luck it truly is an interesting experience.

Dave :wink2:

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Aug 24, 2005

My psych clinicals were in a kind of "crisis" center, psych ward in a local community hospital. It was neat seeing the people coming in acutly ill and seeing them get better and move on. We saw alot of discharges which the other group didn't get to see (very chronic patients in the other group).

I advise you, safety first for you and your fellow students. If something raises a red flag about a patient of yours, don't be afraid to follow through and make others aware.

Communication is huge!

know your meds and their effect, side effects, teaching

And we were told to never show your back to a patient. If you leave a room, leave it backwards so you are facing them. And if you are sitting at a table with a patient, sit more than arms length away and with your seat at an angle so you can get up in a hurry. Thankfully we didn't have to make that quick get a way, but they told us about it anyway.

stressgal, RN · Aug 24, 2005

I completed my Psych rotation spring quarter and loved it. I too was not sure what to expect. While it was a bit sad in the adolescent unit, I am thankful to have the information as I move into other health alterations. No matter what type of practice you go into you will assist clients through psychological issues. It may be just the stress of the illness, but understanding a therapuetic relationship will benefit you as a nurse in every instance. Enjoy and learn lots!

RNLisa · Aug 24, 2005

I completed my Psych rotation spring quarter and loved it. I too was not sure what to expect. While it was a bit sad in the adolescent unit, I am thankful to have the information as I move into other health alterations. No matter what type of practice you go into you will assist clients through psychological issues. It may be just the stress of the illness, but understanding a therapuetic relationship will benefit you as a nurse in every instance. Enjoy and learn lots!

Hey Stressgal, where abouts in Ohio are you from? I am in Ohio as well. Are you in an RN program?