pandora44

It's been a very bad couple of weeks lately and our unit has had a very high number of code greens. We're averaging 4-5 a night. It's been bad. This is not normal for us. We just have a very difficult patient population at this time. My questio...

When I posted my original comments I was quite frustrated and tired and simply needed a few sentences to vent. I neither expected nor asked for responses about acuity. The implication that the nursing staff is responsible for patients acting out an...

Yes, this should be reported. It is not up to us as mandatory reporters to decide if there is or is not abuse or neglect. We have to report anything we suspect. When you call it in, just say what you know. Do not extrapolate. If they ask somethi...

When I first wrote this post I assumed that the Humane blanket was much more widely known that it obviously is. Among the staff, the humane blanket is known as the "Burrito" and that image helps explain how it is used. The blanket is a large piece...

Hi there. I happen to be a INTJ, so I know about being quiet and reserved. My natural inclination is as a loner and outsider. I'm not good with snap decisions or interacting with large numbers of people. Still, I am a successful and happy nurse, ...

There are lots and lots of greats posts on the psych pages for nurses new to the field. Spend some time reading through the posts. Here is what I wish I'd known: You will become strangely close to many of your patients as you work with them over t...

Hmm... This is a tricky situation. Good for you for recognizing your issues and seeking help. I know a number of staff nurses on my psych unit who sought mental health services and I think that is all for the good. But I would be very, very cautio...

So what do you do when the pt is assaulting staff by bitting, kicking, punching, rushing, etc.? Those are the only times we use the humane blanket, when we can't get the patient safely to the quiet room otherwise.

I understand why they want you to save your texts, but honestly, I wouldn't bother. You'll be able to find anything you need on the internet quicker than you can find it in the textbook. After I graduated, I never look an my textbooks again. I wis...

I work and love psych. :redpinkhe I worked a year of med-surg and hated it. Psych is intense and interesting and challenging. I've been two years now in psych and don't think I'll leave it any time soon.

[quote= My own Rule of Thumb is to titrate my Expenditure of Energy according to the particular Patient's Resolve to help themselves. I fulfill my responsibilities as a Professional to all Patients. For those Patients willing to better themselves or...

I've been a psych nurse about two years, after moving over from medical. I well remember where you are right now. It takes awhile to learn to deal with challenging patients! When I've had a patient who is obviously "faking it" but suddenly appear...

We don't use any specific tool for suicidal ideation at our hospital. If a patient comes into the ER and says they are suicidal, they are admitted to our ER Access Center. The Access Center is staffed with experienced psych RNs and social workers ...

I my experience, it depends on the area of the country you are in and the type of nursing you do. Many people on this tread have said you just shouldn't say anything about your sexuality and then no one will bother you about it. I find this very in...

I was at my doctor's office with a UTI. I had peed in the cup and put the lid back on. Then I was looking around for gloves to carry my own urine sample. Cracked me up when I realized what I was doing. When I'm bored or anxious I count my own ra...

I started watching a little known movie called Manic with Joseph Gordon Levitt that I got from Nexflix. Its about a teenager with bipolar, I think. Its actually set in an adolescent psych unit. I didn't watch the whole thing because it was my day ...

As far as I know, there aren't any courses aimed specifically at psych nursing. I would think that general psych courses such as abnormal psych might be helpful, but not necessary. And as with all areas of nursing, you just kinda have to get in the...

Not positive on this, and I think it would depend on the state. I'm in Iowa and each pt must be seen by a doctor every weekday and on one of the weekend days. It doesn't have to be that pt's attending doctor, however.

I, too, think it depends on the unit. I work inpt adult short term acute (that's a mouthful). Most of my patients are depressed and suicidal but generally still able to function. Typical length for our unit is 2-6 days and my typical pt load is 4-5...

I made the switch from med-surg nursing to inpt adult psych about a year ago. I was on the medical floor for about a year and hated it. I felt that my particular talents were wasted in the fast paced unit where I worked and I longed to get to know ...

Your post brings up a few thoughts. First, if you are hired for a psych position, you'll have plenty of your own experiences to share soon. I can tell you tons of stories about situations that ended well or didn't end well but until you are there o...

It sounds like the "three directions and then seclusion" rule is being used to help the kids make positive decisions. As in, you now have a choice to do as you have been directed or go to the seclusion room; make a good decision. This helps patient...

Actual conversation I had with a patient this week: "I don't need to go to rehab. I've been to rehab and haven't used since then." "You just told me you got drunk last night." "That doesn't count. I just drink to decrease my anxiety. (Pause) Is th...

Actual conversation I had with a patient this week: "I don't need to go to rehab. I've been to rehab and haven't used since then." "You just told me you got drunk last night." "That doesn't count. I just drink to decrease my anxiety. (Pause) Is th...

I think you are have a good plan if you want to be a psych nurse. Working as a psych tech will give you very good experience. You will get to see what a real psych unit is like and decided if that is really what you want to do. If you do decided p...