batgirl23

batgirl23 has 23 years experience and specializes in Psych - Mental Health.

Latest Activity

1. bipolar v borderline

   batgirl23 replied to rayea's topic in Psychiatric

   IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

2. bipolar v borderline

   batgirl23 replied to rayea's topic in Psychiatric

   Be careful though. We all have "Borderline" tendancies when under stress or feeling powerless. IMHO this is a very over-used term in psych and almost always used in a judgemental way and/or with derogatory intent.

3. Why did you become a Psych Nurse?

   batgirl23 replied to Alicia_Has_Tats's topic in Psychiatric

   I have been a psych nurse for over 25 years with absolutely no regrets. I went into psych straight out of school. In fact I finished my senior preceptorship on Thursday and started full-time on that unit the following Tuesday. I personally found med...

4. bipolar v borderline

   batgirl23 replied to rayea's topic in Psychiatric

   Could be personality issues and/or bipolar but very hard to assess with a current opiate addiction (may be a chicken-egg thing: addiction could be causing the "syptoms", could be exacerbating underlying/pre-existing issues and/or may have started as ...

5. bipolar v borderline

   batgirl23 replied to rayea's topic in Psychiatric

   These two presentations are nothing alike. Do you have a specific question or an example?

6. Reinforcing a Perception of Reality

   batgirl23 replied to Davey Do's topic in Psychiatric

   Personally I try never to lie directly or make false promises to patients. In this case I would say something like: "I/We will do everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen / you don't die." In a less acute situation, I might explore their re...

7. Reinforcing a Perception of Reality

   batgirl23 replied to Davey Do's topic in Psychiatric

   I think it is important to be clear about the language we use. It is never okay to "reinforce delusions" or to challenge them. As others have mentioned though, you can re-focus on what is most relevant - the feelings or the experience of the patient...

8. Antagonizing patients--just a vent

   batgirl23 replied to Isitpossible's topic in Psychiatric

   This is beyond verbal abuse. It is unprofessional, unethical and may be considered illegal (threats, coercion, unlawful confinement (in the quiet room) & assault come to mind...). It must be reported and stopped. If it is not reported then it is ...

9. If i did something wrong?

   batgirl23 replied to aywl's topic in Canada

   I guess it's the Psych nurse in me but I love these challenging type of patients. Years ago when I was a student there was a post-op patient on an oncology unit who had had lots of post-op complications following a vulvectomy. She was a very fussy &a...

10. Nursing in Ottawa

    batgirl23 replied to Sashat3's topic in Canada

    Back in the 60s & 70s my father was in the military. He would always check off the "Bilingual" box on forms because he was fluent in German and English. The powers-that-be were NOT amused!

11. Nursing in Ottawa

    batgirl23 replied to Sashat3's topic in Canada

    Hi Robert You could definitely apply at the Civic but it is a campus of the Ottawa Hospital and I believe most of their postings would be for bilingual nurses. The Civic Campus is in the west end so most of the patients are English vs the General Cam...

12. Nursing in Ottawa

    batgirl23 replied to Sashat3's topic in Canada

    Hi Robert I can't really speak to Cornwall but I live in Ottawa. There are lots of opportunities for English nurses here but bilingualism is definitely an asset. The Montfort is primarily a French hospital. The Ottawa Hospital (the largest hospital ...

13. Antagonizing patients--just a vent

    batgirl23 replied to Isitpossible's topic in Psychiatric

    Do you not have a regulatory body??? This is abuse, pure & simple. Just read anything on Therapeutic Relationships and Boundary violations! It is totally unacceptable behaviour for ANY nurse and needs to be stopped. It is your professional and et...

14. new grad/new nurse....In need of some honest advice

    batgirl23 replied to lillyh_90's topic in Psychiatric

    I have been a psych nurse for over 25 years with absolutely no regrets. I went into psych straight out of school. In fact I finished my senior preceptorship on Thursday and started full-time on that unit the following Tuesday. In nursing, as in anyt...

15. BSc in Chemistry -> BSc Nursing

    batgirl23 replied to leenRN04's topic in International

    I did a BSc in Biology/Biochemistry at Dalhousie in the early 80s and then started my BN. I had to do all 4 years of nursing courses and clinicals (albeit part-time for the first 3 years) but I did get credit for my science courses (organic chemistry...