Mental health

Nurses Stress 101

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I'm a 4th year nursing student and I really love nursing however I have a concern. Do you think it's unethical to choose mental health just because it was funny as hell. when I did the rotation last semester I laugh my ass off everyday, the things that come out of patients mouth was just hysterical. I am sympathetic towards mental health patients and I personally thought I would hate it before I went but that was far from the truth. But now I am back in school and I'm missing those patients. So uhm do you think it's unethical to laugh at patients?

Specializes in Addictions/Mental Health, Telemetry.

The fact that you somehow managed to get into nursing is rather appalling to me. And very sad.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
When I was a student on a locked unit we were required to attend (and respond appropriately if any of the patients addressed us) at least one group therapy session, and also participate in the supervised group exercise activity (one occasion).

We had to attend a group session in school as well. Definitely an interesting experience. I feel like I got to see a lot more things as a student when it was our job to experience as much as possible, versus now, where my job is to get my job done ?

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The fact that you somehow managed to get into nursing is rather appalling to me. And very sad.

i probably deserved that, however, i got into nursing because i genuinely hated seeing people suffer through illnesses. i'm naturally very caring, i got that trait from my mom as she's a nurse herself (LPN). i spent alot time in the hospital and clinics as a child, as a result of a complete fractured tibia-fibula when i was 9 from soccer, then i fractured (complete) said tibia again when i was 14. recovery process for these fractures were long so interacted with alot of nurses, physicians, therapist etc. and this may sound weird but i guess you could say i fell in love with the whole hospital vibe, the nursing profession on a whole. thats how it happened my friend oh and the fact that i had good grades got me in nursing school and i'm currently maintaining a 3.58 gpa in my 4th year.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
We had to attend a group session in school as well. Definitely an interesting experience. I feel like I got to see a lot more things as a student when it was our job to experience as much as possible, versus now, where my job is to get my job done ?

We had to observe not actively participate.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
i want to apologize to my fellow nurses particularly the ones suffering from mental illnesses and/or have love ones who are mentally ill themselves. i realize that my post was perceived to be extremely offensive and derogatory, i didn't mean to offend anybody here. i was truly empathetic towards my patients, most persons here don't seem to believe that. Mental illnesses should be viewed in the same capacity as a person suffering from a malignant neoplasm, and nothing is funny about lymphoma or leukemia. i truly did not mean any ill intent, i'm 21 and not very mature as yet, somethings that i may find funny my mother or anybody else for that matter may not. Again i'm am sorry, i know realize my actions were extremely immoral, however i reacted merely on impulse, something was said that i found funny and i laughed. i know realize that expressing my amusement through laughter was extremely wrong/immoral and extremely insensitive, i am truly ashamed of my myself for my actions.

Ackeem.

I'm glad I read the entire thread before responding. It is a sign of maturity to admit one's mistakes and are willing to learn. This will serve you well in the future.

Yes, patients say some amusing things in their delusions that for a moment make you suppress a giggle. But each and every patient deserves respect. Have you ever seen that old movie "The Snake Pit"? If you haven't watch it or read the book...it's enlightening to the inside workings of the mentally ill.

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Specializes in Critical care.

You poor thing. My friends and I also thought our psych rotation was hysterical. The craziest looking person on the unit was the head nurse. We were 19 and I still laugh at the memories of some of the situations that occurred. You can be empathetic and still have a sense of humor without offending anyone.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
You poor thing. My friends and I also thought our psych rotation was hysterical. The craziest looking person on the unit was the head nurse. We were 19 and I still laugh at the memories of some of the situations that occurred. You can be empathetic and still have a sense of humor without offending anyone.

Finding a clinical experience humorous is completely different than choosing a specialty just because the patients symptoms are hilarious to you.

I'm a wild child. I have a good ol' time at work, and I've struggled to keep a straight face at times. But I'm here with these people because this a population I feel strongly about helping. I'm not here for the laughs.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Just as an example...

A patient serenaded me for 10 minutes in the hall yesterday, singing a song he believed was stolen from him. Something about his seriousness for so long REALLY had me struggling not to laugh - I couldn't even look at the tech with me or I would've lost it.

But the overall situation wasn't funny. He was singing as part of his refusal to take his meds (not funny). Unfortunately, his meds were court ordered (not funny). His refusal led to the worst restraint I've seen thus far (not funny)? an ETO (not funny.), a staff assault (not funny), a second restraint (not funny), a sincerely upset patient (not funny), a break in trust between the patient and I (not funny), and hours of paperwork (not funny.)

I would've gladly avoided that moment of humor to spare everyone that entire ordeal.

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