Goodbye Agency Hello Psych

[Nebby Nurse]

Greetings all. In an effort to find work that is meaningful, I have accepted a fulltime position working with a small poulation of adult schizphrenics. It's been over 10 years since I worked on a psych unit and would like to prepare as best I can. Will start next Mon. Bought the "Psych Nursing Made Easy" CD ROM. Am interested in purchasing books and research on theories and causes of schizophrenia. Anybody have anything to recommend?

The stuff I have been reading lately seems to play down the socio-economic factors in favor of neuron disorder. I see after reading many of the posts that some of you, in your experience feel that dysfunctional family dynamics are common in this population. I would be greatly interested in your opinions. Thanks.

[sanakruz, ADN]

I firmly believe that it's a neurological disorder that passed from parent to child.

And most schizophrenics end up poor and at the bottom of the pile

And I truly love working with a person diagnosed as such- One can recover.

The latest is a recovery push similar to AA

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Schizophrenics are among my favorite populations to work with. They are seldom violent or intrusive, and I have always been fascinated by how the broken mind works - creating visual and auditory images that aren't there. Also, as sanacruz mentioned, their short-term prognosis is good. The primary problem is maintaining them.

Many of the homeless you see on the streets are schizophrenics, as their hallucinations make it difficult for them to maintain employment, which leaves them unable to afford their medication. There is a high return rate in mental health facilities.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Schizophrenics are among my favorite populations to work with. They are seldom violent or intrusive, and I have always been fascinated by how the broken mind works - creating visual and auditory images that aren't there. Also, as sanacruz mentioned, their short-term prognosis is good. The primary problem is maintaining them.

Many of the homeless you see on the streets are schizophrenics, as their hallucinations make it difficult for them to maintain employment, which leaves them unable to afford their medication. There is a high return rate in mental health facilities.