Mental Health Nurse Interview

ccoombs · Sep 28, 2012

I work as an Assertive Community Treatment nurse

1: All of our nurses are BSN but that is not a specific requirement, excepting the team lead who has to be a BSN

2: My pay as a relatively new nurse is slightly better than that of my classmates who work in a medical hospital (by about 2 dollars an hour)

3: Never a dull moment. There's more of a focus on relationships and getting to know the patients. a lot of critical thinking. a lot of autonomy

4: No way, not right now.

5: Every day is different.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2012

I work in a county facility and was hired right out of the ADN program

The pay is about the same (everyone is on a freeze around here

The strengths are.... if you are therapeutic, you can help a pt through a crisis or through the shift

You can usually spend a few minutes with your pts rather than wondering if someone in the next room is going to code

I normally get a supper break and time to pee

I wouldn't change careers unless there was a lot more $$$ as a motivator

I clock in and then do rounds to make sure my pts are present and nobody has gone AWOL, do the pm schedule for my crew, get report. Attempt to put out the small fires (arguments, threats of bodily harm or death), if no can do and people get into an altercation, I head up the team to secure and use restraints, if necessary. Put out more fires and do a lot of paperwork (especially if the restraints were used), lots of prn's and orders. Handle the manipulative bx's of a mix of pts from addicts wanting to go to medical hospitals for iv's of morphine etc to childlike tattling to get someone else in trouble. Deal with medical ills (diabetes, wound care, etc), chart and then chart some more. Finally, punch out. Goal met (to keep staff and pts as safe as possible).

seniorpracticumvgh · Sep 28, 2012

1. RPN (Registered Psychiatric Nurse), RN (Registered Nurse), RN/BN (Registered Nurse/Baccalaureate).

2. In Manitoba, Canada the pay is the same for community nursing all WRHA (Winnipeg Regional Health Authority) positions.

3. Patience, persistence, consistence & kindness. Use of Therapeutic self.

4. Never, love my job. Went into nursing at a late age to become a Patient advocate. I have 22 years experience working in Psychiatry as a Nursing Assistant, specialize in Forensic Psychiatry.

5. Every day is different, there is no book with the right answers of what to say. When do you not know what to say....say nothing.Pay attention to non-verbal cues & keep the focus on the patient! ALWAYS THINK OF SAFETY FIRST :)

Rlala · Sep 28, 2012

Thank you all so much. All of these responses are really helpful!

Elladora · Sep 29, 2012

1. What are the education qualifications of a mental health nurse working in the community?

I'm licensed as an LPN. Our facility employees everything from DCPs to BSNs. (Currently have one nurse working towards her Masters)

2. How is the pay as compared to a different nursing discipline (i.e. med-surg)

Average. We make SLIGHTLY more (under a dollar an hour more)

3. What are the strengths of mental health nursing?

To be a psych nurse? patience, a sense of humor, adaptability, being able to think extremely fast, empathy

4. If you could choose to change nursing careers would you?

Absolutely not. I love mental health nursing.

5. What is the day in the life of a mental health nurse like?

There is no easy way to answer this question as every single day is different. For me, I have found that everyday is fast paced and that I learn something new (or see something new) almost every single day.

kkmaheia · Oct 6, 2012

I also am a nursing student needing to interview a nurse in psychiatric nursing. I have a few questions I would also like to be answered please.... 1. What does mental health mean to you?2. What is a typical shift like?3. Can you be a charge nurse in your facility?4. How do you deal with a combative patient?5.How are medications administered?6.how do you handle clients that attempt to tell you secrets?Thank you for your answers....

kkmaheia · Oct 6, 2012

Hello Elladora. I'm currently a nursing student that needs to interview a mental health nurse. I listed some questions on the thread that I would appreciate answers to you. Thank you for your answers and I can't wait to be a nurse!!

Elladora · Oct 14, 2012

1. What does mental health mean to you? Wow, that's a tough one. I guess to me, it means a person's overall mental well being.

2. What is a typical shift like? Lol I just answered this on another thread. Here's a paste of that answer: There is no "typical" day. I generally get to work, have report, catch up on reading social concerns and 24 hour notes, do a set of rounds, pass meds, supervise supper, take break, pass meds, chart, do another set of rounds if needed, do report, go home. That's what I pretty much "have" to do everyday. In between, I listen to clients, assist with ADLs, break up fights, treat injuries, clean up vomit/feces/urine, fill out incident reports, hunt for lost clients, run up and down the stairs (3 stories) about 100000 times per shift, do paperwork, stock the medroom, watch a little tv with the clients (cleverly disguised chance to talk to them in a non-threatening setting), field phone calls, etc, etc, etc

3. Can you be a charge nurse in your facility? Yes and I am almost every shift I work.

4. How do you deal with a combative patient? Depends on how volatile the situation is. We always, always try to use words first. Sometimes you are able to talk a client down and you can deescalate the situation just by talking. A calm voice helps tremendously. If we are unable to deescalate verbally, we use CPI at our facility. About 75% of the time, once a client goes into a hold, the fight goes out of them. Many clients are quite taken aback at how effectively staff is able to hold/control them once they are placed in a hold. If a hold doesn't work, or they continue to fight, we call 911.

5.How are medications administered? 99% of our daily meds are oral (insulin and creams being the exception) We give a LOT of pills. Shots are given bi-weekly or monthly (for the most part) with the exception of insulin which is given anywhere from 1-4 times per day.

6. How do you handle clients that attempt to tell you secrets? Listen. I act on it if it's something that can hurt them or others. Usually it's not. Many times it's something like "I used to play trumpet when I was little" or "I take Haldol, did you know that?" There are few actual secrets in a mental health facility. Now if it's a secret along the lines of "I plan on putting a bag over my head tonight" then appropriate steps are taken to insure client safety.