I began working as a psychologist on an inpatient acute ward about 6 months ago. We have the usual team of psychiatric nurses and students, techs, OTs, psychiatrists, doctors, etc. I work as part of a 4 person psychology team. I'm having a difficult time dealing with some of the nurses attitudes toward me and my job. I'm not sure if this is limited to the nurses I work with, or if this represents a general view.
My work involves doing various psychological assessments and seeing patients for short term therapy (as it's an acute ward, we try not to keep them longer than necessary.) I also see patients in the community, but I spend the majority of my time on the ward because of how demanding it can be.
I always make myself available to see patients, establish relationships, provide assessments and interventions when asked. I attend all the staff meetings and give input. The nurses have been saying they're very stressed out and are really struggling to deal with some of the tougher patients - some don't have much experience in terms of eating disorders, or mixed personality disorders, and have voiced concern. I offered to do staff supervision and presentations if anyone was interested - just a quick overview for any staff who felt they needed some help, which they seemed happy about and many turned up. I was also asked to be available for 1:1 sessions with nurses to offer my thoughts or another perspective on a patient, which I was happy to do.
I realize this can come across as me thinking I know better and I certainly don't - I just offered to maybe do drop-in informal sessions for anyone who felt like they needed it. I've been very careful to try and not come across that way.
I feel like I really am trying my best to fit in and help the team,but the attitude of most of the nurses toward psychology in general is disappointing. I've seen rolling eyes when I come to do an assessment ("why bother? Those pieces of paper can't tell you anything.") I've been met with sarcasm and disdain when talking about therapy options ("must be nice being a psychologist and not having to do actual work" or "they're just a PD patient, they aren't mentally ill, you wont be able to do anything.")
its discouraging, they are otherwise nice people but it's getting to me. I'm friendly, I work hard and have worked very hard to get where I am, Im here to help just like they are and I feel that I'm not taken seriously - all of the psychology team feels this way. Sort of like everyone thinks we're overpaid and that psychology is a bunch of BS really. That we sit on our asses all day typing reports, when in reality I work 12 hours per day on the ward seeing patients, attending tribunals, and even getting involved in altercations (I'm trained the same as the nurses are in restraint/breakaway techniques so I always help when there's a problem).
What gets me is that I was happy working in community, but we were literally begged to work on the ward, and now we're here and nobody wants us! They request assessments and treatment, but make fun of us in the next breath. I'm trying not to let it get to me, but after 6 months of feeling this way it's wearing me down.
is this a general consensus among all psych nurses? I've seen the same attitude leveled toward the doctors, but only behind their backs. It's a shame because I really value their input and would like to work as a team, but feel very unwanted. Is there anything I can do?
I didn't have a good experience in my last job but that was the only psychologist I have ever worked with. When reports are being written up and actions been put in place psychology need to understand that nurses are the ones who put them into action. (I was in a long stay mental health facility) I have seen unrealistic goals that do not lead to positive outcomes and my paper load increase. I believe realistic goals need to be set and agreed upon together by the who MDT, not just one person.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
...When reports are being written up and actions been put in place psychology need to understand that nurses are the ones who put them into action...I believe realistic goals need to be set and agreed upon together by the who MDT, not just one person.
That's unfortunate. In my long term psych nurse position, nursing care plans and goals were separate from non-nursing.
We did not really have to provide interventions for the other areas. The techs and social workers and psychologist and psychiatrist took care of theirs, while we took care of ours.
I was really into my job though, and I was approached by case managers and other interdisciplinary team members to assist pts with some of these goals on a case by case basis. In my particular situation, I enjoyed the chance to try to meet the pts needs outside of meds.
Nursing care plans did not attend to psycho social issues. Just medical problems and medications administered.
I can definitely understand where you're coming from, Lasair.
That's unfortunate. In my long term psych nurse position, nursing care plans and goals were separate from non-nursing.
We did not really have to provide interventions for the other areas. The techs and social workers and psychologist and psychiatrist took care of theirs, while we took care of ours.
I was really into my job though, and I was approached by case managers and other interdisciplinary team members to assist pts with some of these goals on a case by case basis. In my particular situation, I enjoyed the chance to try to meet the pts needs outside of meds.
Nursing care plans did not attend to psycho social issues. Just medical problems and medications administered.
I can definitely understand where you're coming from, Lasair.
Yeah, in long term care there is no one else apart from nursing that can put the likes of behavioural plans or recordings in place...we are the ones here 24/7. It is very different in my new work place :)
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Lasair, my position was LTC psych and acute psych. I do understand, after reading and learning about other people's experiences, that I was, we were, very fortunate to work in a place with decent policies.
I often wonder why our policies seemed so reasonable to me. Was it due to my awesome DON, was it due to my own flexibility and willingness to take the good with the bad?
Believe me, at this place that I speak so highly of, they can't keep Director RNs or floor LVNs. People come and go continuously. About half or 1/3 of the staff is long term, but the rest seem to continuously leave, like a revolving door.
Most nurses are intimidated by physicians so you won't observe the behavior with them. Watch how they treat lab staff, and you'll really seem something ridiculous. Most nurses are also grossly under informed so they don't full understand your role. It's interesting they find psychology to not be applicable to personality disorders. Of course I was a RN for a short time (not in psychiatry), but I didn't fit in with other staff nurses. They're largely burned out, by the way. You might give them sweets. They'll love you then. Nurses love to eat.
OP: each unit is different. I have been a staff nurse, nurse manager, educator and now I am an APRN. Inpatient units have their own culture. I have a lot of respect for the psychology discipline and miss it when I work places without a psychologist. I think, from what you are saying, try to ignore the nurses who belittle you, and instead focus on your contribution to the unit and to individual patients. You would have to tell us more about the unit and specific issues for ideas of how to make things work better for you. Partnering with unit leadership anyway you can would be good. Running coping skill type groups for the patients, anything really. Maybe just look over your job description and do what it says. I have worked with some amazing psychologists as a provider. When I worked as a staff nurse and manager there were always psychologists. I always thought of them as bringing a particular perspective to treatment worth listening to. Best wishes.
lasair
67 Posts
I didn't have a good experience in my last job but that was the only psychologist I have ever worked with. When reports are being written up and actions been put in place psychology need to understand that nurses are the ones who put them into action. (I was in a long stay mental health facility) I have seen unrealistic goals that do not lead to positive outcomes and my paper load increase. I believe realistic goals need to be set and agreed upon together by the who MDT, not just one person.