Mental Health questions

[261houston]

Hello, I have applied to work in a crisis stabilization unit. I have passed the first 2 interviews and awaiting to be called for a third. I have 23 years LPN nursing experience, but not in mental health specifically. I have been told that they will ask me questions about how I would handle certain situations. I am told that they see patients such as bi-polar, schizophrenic, alcohol and drug addicted, depression, and eating disorder. I was hoping that I could get some tips on how to interact with these type patients, maybe someone has had experience in the field and could help me. I plan on brushing up by ordering some books on mental health nursing, but I am pressed on time, as I hope to be called in this coming week. Any and all help would be appreciated. I believe I would love this job, so I must have a successful interview! Thanks in advance for any help or advice given.

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi, check out the psych nurse speciality section here for threads on various topics that might help you. I didn't have an interview with questions about disorders and much of what you would do with any of your patients in a certain scenario will also apply to psych. If they present you with something like a patient hearing voices or seeing things I usually say something like: "I don't hear the voices you hear but they sound upseting, can you tell me what they are saying?" I'd also brush up on suicide signs/interventions and if possible find out the facility's policy on restraint, physical and chemical as well as seclusion because they vary. Maybe get a NCLEX book for psych questions. Good luck!

[diane227, LPN, RN]

You need to get a good psych reference and start reading it. There is way too much to learn by reading anything here.