How would you have handled this student

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A nursing student came to class stating she was in danger but refused to contact the authorities. She then proceeded to talk about a question on homework saying that it had been written by the government and it was written just about her. Obviously, we all thought she was paranoid schizophrenic and having delusions. How would you have handled this student as another student in the class?

uhmmmm where exactly was the instructor?

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Tell your instructor about the conversation and your concerns. If the instructors feel this behavior could affect her clinical performance, they will investigate further. If you feel led, privately, express to this classmate that her statements earlier were concerning to you, and remind her that the school has mental health resources available to her if she feels she needs them.

Short of that, she is an adult, and you can't force someone to seek medical attention unless they appear to be a danger to themselves or others.

Specializes in PICU.

You must be taking your mental health class now, no? What kind of danger did she say she was in? Has she been stressed out lately? Does she have any friends that she can talk to? Definitely need to let an instructor know about this

Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Uh oh....nursing school broke the nursing student. :sniff:

Specializes in ICU, Postpartum, Onc, PACU.
Tell your instructor about the conversation and your concerns. If the instructors feel this behavior could affect her clinical performance, they will investigate further. If you feel led, privately, express to this classmate that her statements earlier were concerning to you, and remind her that the school has mental health resources available to her if she feels she needs them.

Short of that, she is an adult, and you can't force someone to seek medical attention unless they appear to be a danger to themselves or others.

Exactly. It does sound like she may have some problems....

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