purplekath

Latest Activity

1. A big mess!!!

   purplekath replied to edisonnurse's topic in Psychiatric

   Cogentin is not routinely given with benzos. I don't even routinely give it unless I'm dealing with someone with a known hx of ESP, or if I am giving something like Clopixol Accuphase where it is a big dose of anti-psych mx which makes ESP more prob...

2. Anyone ever try working 60 hours a week?

   purplekath replied to buff nurse's topic in General Nursing

   60 is routine...80 is common...more than that, quite often. Mandatory overtime....sigh.... Honestly, a 40 hour week seems quite cruisy these days. lol... sad but true

3. Do you ever get gifts from patients?

   purplekath replied to Joe NightingMale's topic in General Nursing

   Our facility is ok for us to keep gifts - I work in a state psych hospital, and most of these folks don't have a bunch of money, so it is not really a big problem. I have an area in my study with boxes of little gifts from patients. The most precio...

4. Question for Psych RN's about pt on cardiac unit

   purplekath replied to al7139's topic in Psychiatric

   Hi Amy, Tricky situation for you! I'm in Australia and have no idea how the system works over there. With regard to managing this guy on the ward, you need to know that he is not doing what he's doing deliberately or to be manipulative. He is mani...

5. Day in the life?

   purplekath replied to mikethern's topic in Psychiatric

   lol...go on...I dare ya!

6. Has anyone had the experience of knowing a patient on their unit?

   purplekath replied to njmonsterboi80's topic in Psychiatric

   Actually, I'm going thru this right now. A very close friend of mine was admitted tonight and is a forensic case. Management has been really strict about it with me, and I'm actually very thankful. I'm not to nurse him, have been told I must stay ...

7. community mental health

   purplekath replied to PostpartumNurse'07's topic in Psychiatric

   It is both less hectic but has much more responsibility than hospital based mental health. Not sure what Canada is like but here it involved having a "case load" of mental health clients. Up to about 20. Your job is to try and keep them well in th...

8. alternate ways of treating borderline personality disorder

   purplekath replied to hsieh's topic in Psychiatric

   I think most of us working in the area would agree that it is a disorder that can always use more ideas in its treatment. I think it is totally necessary to try and get a handle on the worldview of the patient, both as a person with a diagnosis and ...

9. Dropping in from ER forum to ask a question ...

   purplekath replied to DiannaK's topic in Psychiatric

   ummm..noooo...this not normal at all. wow, I am floored too! These drugs are powerful and certainly not suitable for a child. I suggest you do a little detective work and find out how this kid ended up on these meds. Did you get what the dosage w...

10. setting boundaries with pt.'s, appropriate vs inappropriate, HELP!

    purplekath replied to nmb81's topic in Psychiatric

    It is so important to build rapport with your patients. It humanises what can be a dehumanising experience for them. And it really helps when it comes time to ask the probing and other difficult questions, as well as in laying boundaries. Rapport ...

11. Need help from psych nurses! Severe depression...

    purplekath replied to FrankieJane's topic in Psychiatric

    Wow, what a great nurse you are! He is very fortunate to have someone who cares for him as holistically as you obviously do. It could well be that his anxiety is increased by the Seroquel - if he feels that he is "crawling out of his skin", can't sit...

12. Paraphilias

    purplekath replied to purplekath's topic in Psychiatric

    Oh trust me...I have strong feelings too. I think most of us do. But guess that a big part of wanting to help these ppl are because ultimately it helps society, including potential victims of crime. I'd still be interested in hearing your point of...

13. Paraphilias

    purplekath posted a topic in Psychiatric

    I work in an acute unit which deals with the forensic mental health cases for our city. Lately I seem to have had a lot of ppl with paraphilias of an illegal nature -- namely pedophiles, voyeurs, rapists etc. Often we get these patients because the...

14. Day in the life?

    purplekath replied to mikethern's topic in Psychiatric

    Well best of luck as you study! We always need new nurses in mental health ... it is not for everyone, but if it is for you, you know it :-)

15. Assessment/Question Tool

    purplekath replied to MSN Student's topic in Psychiatric

    Oops, I also include a section for medication....any PRN I have given and why, and any medication changes I have requested or have been made, any adverse reactions observed.