Monroe

Hi Alice b. I'd just take a deep breath, go in, if it's too much, leave for a minute and breath lightly. Sometimes, as weird as it sounds, talk to the person about absolutely anything. It'll take both your minds off it. it'll steer your mind in a different direction. I never had this problem. But i have big problems with dentures. I have no idea why, i couldn't do it. When i first started nursing, i nearly burst into tears when they put their dentures in my hand! And cleaning them. It sounds really stupid and i felt stupid when the lady i was training with just looked at me frozen on the spot. I just told myself to do it. Now i keep talking or singing.

Hello All. I only became a memeber today on this site and i have read through different forums and really like the attitudes and opinions and how everyone seems to be helping each other understand more. I live in the UK, and between us and the USA, the differences are huge. Its big differences in heiarchy, guidelines, news articles, advice and work environments. Its very hard to keep up with it all, but its been a big learning site today and its opened up my mind to more, different ways of doing things, which is always good right? I realise many may not know what goes on here in the UK. The same as i don't understand alot of what happens inthe USA. But its up to me to learn as it'll only help me on. Here they seem to be very strict when it comes to medicine and things like that. What are the things in the USA that are common place when it comes to healthcare? Can anyone give me some advice? Please ?

From my point of view, i believe a psychiatric nurse is a "real" nurse. Of course. Nurses working in cancer wards nurse differently to nurses working in childrens wards, but they are both still nurses. I've had comments like this said off hand and it really bugs me. Not here because at least people explain why they think that, but i've had people say it and not explain. I guess it also depends on what you think a nurse is . What the qualities are that a nurse brings to their job. That's important. I think the qualities a nurse has to bring to a ward where they work for example, is also required for a psychiatric nurse to bring to a mentally ill patient. Hope, understanding, comfort...a nd all the other things............................

The human body, to me, is a miracle. Its fascinating. I found it hard to get my head round the fact that each part of our body relys upon other parts of the body functioning properly. Having had a few health problems, i owe very much everythjng to everyone who has helped me and never gave up, even when i did. I was diagnosed with diabetes 12 years ago and finally now i am controlling things and on an even keel for the first time and i can feel my body responding to the hard work. I have energy (Yay!). I suffered with eating disorders at the same time. when these two were too hard to cope with, the help i got from nurses, doctors, psychiatrists, consultants, specialist nurses, dieticians etc quite literally saved my life. I have always wanted to be a nurse. But this gives me the chance to give alot back. I don't feel like i have to, but i know i will. Especially with the eating disorders because many many many people don't get the help that i had, and i know this, so its important to me that help is there when they want it. Everything about the body and mind is fascinating and there's always understanding to get to grip with. Thats why i began in nursing.

I have wanted to explore the option of working in the mental health profession. I first got interested when i became ill with eating disorders and i spend much time (six months) as an inpatient in a psychiatric hospital. This was in 2001. I have a good idea of what others think of anyone who suffers menatl illness, not everyone, but some are quite narrow minded still. I came across it with my own faily and it did bring it all home to me how people change around you at the time of being ill. But i have been in recovery for 5 years and doing well. But, it really bought it home to me that people who are mentally ill need support and, as well as intreging me, i feel like i want to give something back. However, i understand how some people around me are nervous because they fear that this may damage my recovery. I feel strong, my coping mechanisms are different now. When i had a CPN she refused to let me carry out my work experience at college in the pshychiatric hospital where i live. She contacted my lecturer and warned that it may be too much for my recovery. Either people have no faith in me, or i am naive as to where i am in my recovery. I applied to the hospital and asked about where i would stand in employmeent if i had a mental illness that was now in recoveery and they felt that it would actually be an advantage as i could relate to others. I would love the opinions of anyone who has advice or suggestions or just sharing their views on this. I feel torn as i feel i am alot stronger that people are giving me credit for.