nurses who self injure

[sax_journey]

hello

i am a RN who works part time in geropsych and part time at another hospital on general surgical ward.

i have scars on my upper arms from previous years when i used to cut myself. recently these were discovered by a co worker, who has complained to the DON about me, stating i am unfit for work, i am "crazy", and has made up allegations of things i have said and done to her that are not true. However no one believes me as i am the "mentally ill" one apparantly. they sent the crisis team to my house (for scars on my arms that are years old, as well as allegations from this other nurse that i am suicidal - which is not the case.) i wasnt home when the MH people came by as i was at my other job. now i dont know what to say to them tomorrow???? no one believes anything i say. It seems it has been decided already that i have lost the plot.

i dont mind if i lose the job, as i dont want to work at a facility where things like this go on, but i am scared now that the DON might ring my other place of work and tell them i am not fit for work. can she do this? can she ring the board and have me suspended because it is her opinion i am "mentally unstable" even tho it is not the case, and there is no evidence of this?? i havent done anything wrong, except a HX of SI years ago...i am on anti depressant meds curently, wiill this make me look bad?? i know people who have been de-registered due to mental health problems, and it scares me that it might happen to me. surely this cant be right! i havent done anything! what can i do to show them i am ok??

[SusanJean]

"crazy" does exist it is a lay colloquialism that covers psychosis and mania. Self harming on the other hand isn't necessarily an illness and is more often and indication of personality disorder, it appears that it is you who is guilty of jumping to conclusions.

There have been a number of cases in the UK (e.g. Beverly Allit) were nurses have murdered or harmed patients for their own gratification. Reports on these incidents have consistently shown that signs of severe PD were ignored.

If it has been six years since previous episodes then it is quite likely that it was just a short term crisis, but those facts can be quickly established.

Not everyone who cuts has a PD, however, it is not an issue that is to be taken lightly and in the balance between the interests of the patient and the interests of the nurse it is important that these issues are looked into when indicated and a collection of scars from previous self harm does indicate that this is worth further scrutiny.

As for disability discrimination, it is perfectly justifiable for an employer not wanting to employ someone who is currently self harming or at significant risk. Patients need nurses who can cope with life and aren't competing with them in not being able to cope.

To OP: I believe this information is meant to inflame, not help. I would ignore the information.

[Psi]

To OP: I believe this information is meant to inflame, not help. I would ignore the information.

If you check back through the thread you will see that I did give practical advice on the situation. However, the particular post that I was replying to had broadened the scope of the discussion and implied that it was OK for PDs to be nurses, which I think is a very dangerous and naieve notion.

[sax_journey]

I sincerely hope you are not working in the mental health field. It is people like you that are the reason so many people are deterred from seeking help for mental illness.

If you check back through the thread you will see that I did give practical advice on the situation. However, the particular post that I was replying to had broadened the scope of the discussion and implied that it was OK for PDs to be nurses, which I think is a very dangerous and naieve notion.

[Psi]

I sincerely hope you are not working in the mental health field. It is people like you that are the reason so many people are deterred from seeking help for mental illness.

How exactly does saying that PDs (not people who have suffered from mental illness) should not work as nurses deter people with mental illness from seeking help?

You appear to be unable to distuinguish between someone having a flawed personality and someone who is ill.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

I have to ask the OP where on earth is the Union in all of this. Australia is a VERY unionised country and the first last and most common refuge of nurses with any issue like this or the ones she has posted on previously would be to go to the union. Our union IS also our legal insurance so they are able to supply free legal assistance.

I do not mean to doubt the OP but I am very very surprised at this story - usually our employers are too cognisant of the power of the union to even consider this action.

Seen through Australian eyes there are a lot of inconsistancies here.

[Psi]

I have to ask the OP where on earth is the Union in all of this. Australia is a VERY unionised country and the first last and most common refuge of nurses with any issue like this or the ones she has posted on previously would be to go to the union. Our union IS also our legal insurance so they are able to supply free legal assistance.

I do not mean to doubt the OP but I am very very surprised at this story - usually our employers are too cognisant of the power of the union to even consider this action.

Seen through Australian eyes there are a lot of inconsistancies here.

What is an OP?

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

OP = Original Poster

[sax_journey]

I live close to the state borer and work in the ACT and NSW. I am only a memebr of the NSW union as that is where my permanent job is,and also where i live. I didnt think i could afford to pay fees for both states which in hindsight was very silly of me. the NSW union does not want to know about it as it is "not their problem", and ACT does not want to know as it is "too complex, and draining on thier resources". The policy in the ACT ANF states that if you dont pay union fees, they are not obliged to represent you. You used to be able to back pay fees and then be covered, but they stopped this practice. If you dont believe me feel free to contact the ACT ANF about this policy.

I have to ask the OP where on earth is the Union in all of this. Australia is a VERY unionised country and the first last and most common refuge of nurses with any issue like this or the ones she has posted on previously would be to go to the union. Our union IS also our legal insurance so they are able to supply free legal assistance.

I do not mean to doubt the OP but I am very very surprised at this story - usually our employers are too cognisant of the power of the union to even consider this action.

Seen through Australian eyes there are a lot of inconsistancies here.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

This has me intriqued as it is the exact opposite of how I understood the ANF to work.

[sax_journey]

trust me i have been on the phone all week to both the NSW nurses union and the ACT ANF. Apparantly it is their new policy to encourage people to pay fees. i can understand that, and it is my own fault for not joining when i started workin in the ACT. Please feel free to investigate the matter if yoo feel this is not the case. i would be interested to hear what you find out.

This has me intriqued as it is the exact opposite of how I understood the ANF to work.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

Sorry but after your post on how you had been summarily fired you should have joined then. It is just not worth it working without the legal safety net. You can also go to the industrial relations tribunal - take out a greivance proceding against the DON, and if all else fails talk to the registration board.

[sax_journey]

i did join nsw union after being fired from ngp. but u r right i should have joined ACT as well, it is certainly not worth working without legal protection. Thanx 4 the suggestions. The reg board is the last place i'd go for fear it would be turned around on me somehow. i know people who have lost their reg due to hx mental health issues and that is the last thing i'd want.

Sorry but after your post on how you had been summarily fired you should have joined then. It is just not worth it working without the legal safety net. You can also go to the industrial relations tribunal - take out a greivance proceding against the DON, and if all else fails talk to the registration board.