nursethis

Hey StuPer....I realize these things are taught in school, but in my experience, we covered an awful lot of material in school, with little time for reinforcing or familiarizing. I think my retention rate coming out of school would have been poor without some practice.....APRN, I don't know....I guess at least a year? Until you're comfortable?

In my experience, some time working Med/Surg right after graduation was invaluable in fixing many of the things I learned in my memory. Things like lab values, common medical meds, common medical conditions, etc. There are certain categories of information common to all areas of nursing, and working Med/Surg requires dealing with them on a daily basis.

Mostly, when we stumble, it's due to our feet, not where we're walking. I have worked in psych for the last 7 years. Although I work in an outpatient clinic (CMH) our mix of patients sounds similar to yours, although I would substitute ETOH for crystal, as we're in a rural area. That aside, when I'm stressed over my life, the BPD's and S/A's are much more difficult to tolerate. Seem's I can only handle so much emotional stuff at a time, and when I'm busy with mine, there isn't room for every one elses.

Thought provoking thread. Work at a CMH and pick up many coming from inpt psych. Write our own orders before administering any meds.

I'd like to take the time to answer this, but I'm so burnt out, and there's a guy banging on my office door with a baseball bat, screaming about the voices telling him to kill me....Ha Ha, just kidding. I've been working in an outpatient psychiatry office for 6 years. There has only been one incident in 6 years when I thought my safety may have been in question, and it was not. Regarding burnout, I think any type of nursing carries with it a degree of emotional burnout at times, I don't think psych is any better or worse. I really like the schedule, no weekends, shiftwork or holidays, and call 1 week every 4 months. I'll probably be staying here for a while:)

In addition to the programs noted above, I frequently use a site called "Needymeds.com" This site has listings of most all medications, manufacturers, and patient Assistance Programs....very helpful.

HA HA HA!!! I tend to say (use) the first thing that comes to mind....and love words or sentences that have multiple interpretations:)

Geez. I've never heard of such a thing. Seems it isn't so important what they tell you as what they plan to do if you get sick without giving them two weeks notice:)

I have quite a bit of experience with this very question, working in outpatient psych. The sad truth is that you're free to drink yourself to death in this country. It doesn't qualify as imminent danger to self or others. The only thing that works in getting someone to stop drinking are natural consequences. You can't save someone from themselves. Your brother picking your dad up from a bar is a great example of not allowing natural consequences to take their course. I know it's hard when you have to consider all of the possible consequences, but they are out of your control. Strongly concur with Alanon for you and your family.

I'm on board with two thumbs up for 2 nurses in a relationship. My wife works med-surg and I work outpatient psych. It's great to be able to rant after a long day without having to explain all the nuances of nursing. It also makes the relationship feel very.... equal, we're on equal footing. (even though she makes more than I do:) I don't think the scheduling is any more complicated than it would be with any other two jobs. Still have kids to shuffle about, shopping to do, and always trying to get enough time to ourselves.

Did night shifts with an adolescent on a vent for about 2 years, part time. Although the family was very accomodating, and the pt was pleasant, it was never very comfortable for me being in someones home. Things such as getting the pt snacks out of the family refrigerator, or using the bathroom always seemed a bit uncomfortable. I was usually on nights, and yes it was difficult to stay alert, even though the pt was fairly busy with ROM, suction, cathing, bathing while he slept. Don;t think I'd do it again.

I'm thinking gossip and backbiting increase when overall morale is low, a manifestation of dissatisfaction with the whole environment at a particular place of work. Team building and a sharper focus on morale by management can serve to decrease this behavior immensely.

Nursing puts you in a position to help others, firsthand, one on one, and usually in a difficult situation. I've worked at a variety of jobs in my life, and none comes close to the satisfaction I get through nursing. You don't get to change the world, but you do get to make a difference in the little world of many people.

The first clue was, " I recently cared for a patient who was depressed over a recent romantic break-up," .... and your staff has just been split! Live and learn:)