Just curious if anyone has any tips on how to deal with, or respond to the burned out psych nurses who are always making rude comments? I have only been doing psych nursing for a couple months, so far I love it. But it gets a bit frusturating when working with those nurses who have been doing this for years. We do get a lot of repeat people, I am already familiar with quite a few who have had multiple admissions in the short time I've been there. I just get tired of hearing the comments about these patients, as if they are doing this on purpose. I get they may be reaching out and trying to get there needs met in a negative way. But it's still there way of coping. They are still sick.
I had one nurse tell me that I am still "naive" for believing their crap. While I am sure I will eventually get frusturated with some of these repeat patients, I really hope I never become so jaded that I act the way some of these nurses do. I just feel like some of these people look down on me, and sorta laugh because I actually still give a crap.I know I am not the only nurse in my department who feels this way, some of the other newer psych nurses have also experienced this.
I usually just laugh it off, and make some comment about Well I'm still learning, or something. Anyone else experience this, or have any other tips on how to take it?
Interesting read.... I think you can find attitudes like this is most area's of nursing these days... I have been a nurse for 35 yrs...seen it in most areas I have worked...attitudes that say I am here for the check..
Why is this I wonder... do you think it's maybe they have pushed a so called "shortage" so much that they let most any warm body in... it's a job or can get a job anywhere mentality.. all of a sudden they think, "oh yea, I can do nursing"...here we sit..
There's few things in Psych I can think of than people aging into it late in their career looking, basically, for a vulnerable population they can push around, neglect, despise, while they ease themselves into a later retirement.
More - much more- than anything patients say or do, that just angers and offends me. It's one of the worst abuses of the system that exists today, and with seniority, some of these folks also make the most money - which gives them every incentive to keep plodding along, letting others care them and put up with their crankiness.
OK, now I've had my vent (thanks for your patience, all)
"There's few things in Psych I can think of than people aging into it late in their career looking, basically, for a vulnerable population they can push around, neglect, despise, while they ease themselves into a later retirement"
So, are you saying that you think someone would go into psych later in a career because it's easier for them push, neglect etc...why would you have that idea?
I have worked very hard for many years, the last 12 to 15 in the OR which is physically demanding... but no, I am not looking to push anyone around... I don't depend on anyone to do my job. Is that what you think??
Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
There's few things in Psych I can think of than people aging into it late in their career looking, basically, for a vulnerable population they can push around, neglect, despise, while they ease themselves into a later retirement.
More - much more- than anything patients say or do, that just angers and offends me. It's one of the worst abuses of the system that exists today, and with seniority, some of these folks also make the most money - which gives them every incentive to keep plodding along, letting others care them and put up with their crankiness.
OK, now I've had my vent (thanks for your patience, all)
The short time I have been there, we have had 2 nurses who came into psych, because they were looking for something easier. I wouldn't say to push people around, but just because they thought it would be easy and less demanding. One nurse actually said she was looking for something easier and cushy to retire in. Needless to say, neither nurse is still working there.
Now that I am gaining some confidence, I am learning to stand by my own judgements so to speak. I'm looking less to others to help me make my decisions as well, and feeling more confident in making my own judgement calls. I've been working 4-5 months now, and I really enjoy it!
I'm new to psych as well, so I'm not sure I have much of a point of reference here...on my unit, the staff are always out in the milieu and nurses are either out and about doing treatments, giving meds, doing rounds, or if we're in the nurses' station, we're doing lots of paperwork and on the phone with MDs, etc.
As far as attitudes and power trips are concerned, I have seen some of that. But then there are times when we have to say "no" because the pt will purposely wait until after a group goes down for a fresh air break and then ask to go (in one example)...it's an oppositional behavior that the team feels the pt is using to manipulate us. And we almost always don't have the extra staff to escort them out...it gets complicated and frustrating...
To answer your question, when I see behavior like that, I would like to quietly (out of the milieu) and respectfully tell that person why I think the pt should not be denied X Y and Z and offer to watch the pt while they're doing it, etc. But for now, I'm still very new to the position (and psych nursing) and I'm keeping my eyes open and asking questions before I start making suggestions to the staff...
Of course, I'm not saying anything global about any age group, just have seen individuals here and there over a ten year span, not the norm, thank God, not common, but a real problem. If you haven't met them, feel fortunate.
I've worked over the years with LOTS of different psych nurses, 10 years times 10 different units (seven in the same institution) total, so I may have seen more examples than most.
I always welcome all comers into Psych, patients and staff, but the patients come first.
Also, "No" is certainly in my vocabulary, use it often. I just don't think it should be your default response. "Yes, but..." also can be very useful in its place....
The short time I have been there, we have had 2 nurses who came into psych, because they were looking for something easier. I wouldn't say to push people around, but just because they thought it would be easy and less demanding. One nurse actually said she was looking for something easier and cushy to retire in. Needless to say, neither nurse is still working there.
Now that I am gaining some confidence, I am learning to stand by my own judgements so to speak. I'm looking less to others to help me make my decisions as well, and feeling more confident in making my own judgement calls. I've been working 4-5 months now, and I really enjoy it!
Good for you! Sounds like you're off to a fantastic start, and your motivation/heart/ethics are there. Keep it up! Need anything, please let me know. It's pretty easy to do weak psych, not so easy at all to do it well - your post is encouraging - :redbeathe Pop
I'm new to psych and I am already tired of the way some nurses treat the pts. "I cant deal with borderlines". The pt refused 1:1 today and now she wants to talk; she can wait". Etc, etc, When the pt reaches out and comes to the staff instead of self abusive behavior, isnt this a good thing? I have one pt who I encouraged to ride a stationary bike every day. She is bored out of her gourd on this unit. She tries to get on it, but needs a staff member present. There was alot of tension on the unit this evening and she asked another pt to not use the phone for alot longer than her alotted time, the other pt started shouting, they both went on their way. This ptwas tense and anxious afterward and asked to go on the bike, and was purposely told no. Riding the bike is a positive coping skill and the head games they are playing, the power trip thing disgusts me. I had to bite my tongue to keep from splitting the staff. The patient suffers. It is so wrong. Any of the nurses there could have taken some charting in so the pt could excercise. They chose to sit at the station and socialize. Sometimes I am ashamed of my profession.
Feel your pain, but don't let the downers get to you - there isn't really any monolithic nursing, or medicine, or law, etc. - there's good days and bad days, and individuals with varying levels of skill, motivation, professionalism, outside stressors & distractions, etc.
The only thing that reflects on you is your own actions and decisions - that's where your power is, best place to focus.
Don't give up, you can make a difference. Your concerns reflect well on you. :redbeathe
Also keep in mind, generally, that psych units are money losers, given funding cuts not seen anywhere else in inpatient healthcare over the last 20 years.
Many units have closed, others on the brink.
Thus very tight budgeting, staffing cut to the bone often enough, stress and distress - of course not at all the fault of the staff, although we remain responsible for our response to it.
Because, of course, as professionals and humans each of us is always responsible for our response to what life offers.
Rntr
323 Posts
Interesting read.... I think you can find attitudes like this is most area's of nursing these days... I have been a nurse for 35 yrs...seen it in most areas I have worked...attitudes that say I am here for the check..
Why is this I wonder... do you think it's maybe they have pushed a so called "shortage" so much that they let most any warm body in... it's a job or can get a job anywhere mentality.. all of a sudden they think, "oh yea, I can do nursing"...here we sit..