purplekath

purplekath

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All Content by purplekath

  1. A big mess!!!

    purplekath replied to edisonnurse's topic in Psychiatric

    Cogentin is not routinely given with benzos. I don't even routinely give it unless I'm dealing with someone with a known hx of ESP, or if I am giving something like Clopixol Accuphase where it is a...

  2. Anyone ever try working 60 hours a week?

    purplekath replied to buff nurse's topic in General Nursing

    60 is routine...80 is common...more than that, quite often. Mandatory overtime....sigh.... Honestly, a 40 hour week seems quite cruisy these days. lol... sad but

  3. Do you ever get gifts from patients?

    purplekath replied to Joe NightingMale's topic in General Nursing

    Our facility is ok for us to keep gifts - I work in a state psych hospital, and most of these folks don't have a bunch of money, so it is not really a big problem. I have an area in my study with...

  4. Question for Psych RN's about pt on cardiac unit

    purplekath replied to al7139's topic in Psychiatric

    Hi Amy, Tricky situation for you! I'm in Australia and have no idea how the system works over there. With regard to managing this guy on the ward, you need to know that he is not doing what he's...

  5. Day in the life?

    purplekath replied to mikethern's topic in Psychiatric

    lol...go on...I dare

  6. Has anyone had the experience of knowing a patient on their unit?

    purplekath replied to njmonsterboi80's topic in Psychiatric

    Actually, I'm going thru this right now. A very close friend of mine was admitted tonight and is a forensic case. Management has been really strict about it with me, and I'm actually very thankful....

  7. community mental health

    purplekath replied to PostpartumNurse'07's topic in Psychiatric

    It is both less hectic but has much more responsibility than hospital based mental health. Not sure what Canada is like but here it involved having a "case load" of mental health clients. Up to...

  8. alternate ways of treating borderline personality disorder

    purplekath replied to hsieh's topic in Psychiatric

    I think most of us working in the area would agree that it is a disorder that can always use more ideas in its treatment. I think it is totally necessary to try and get a handle on the worldview of...

  9. Paraphilias

    purplekath posted a topic in Psychiatric

    I work in an acute unit which deals with the forensic mental health cases for our city. Lately I seem to have had a lot of ppl with paraphilias of an illegal nature -- namely pedophiles, voyeurs,...

  10. Dropping in from ER forum to ask a question ...

    purplekath replied to DiannaK's topic in Psychiatric

    ummm..noooo...this not normal at all. wow, I am floored too! These drugs are powerful and certainly not suitable for a child. I suggest you do a little detective work and find out how this kid...

  11. setting boundaries with pt.'s, appropriate vs inappropriate, HELP!

    purplekath replied to nmb81's topic in Psychiatric

    It is so important to build rapport with your patients. It humanises what can be a dehumanising experience for them. And it really helps when it comes time to ask the probing and other difficult...

  12. Paraphilias

    purplekath replied to purplekath's topic in Psychiatric

    Oh trust me...I have strong feelings too. I think most of us do. But guess that a big part of wanting to help these ppl are because ultimately it helps society, including potential victims of crime....

  13. Day in the life?

    purplekath replied to mikethern's topic in Psychiatric

    Well best of luck as you study! We always need new nurses in mental health ... it is not for everyone, but if it is for you, you know it

  14. Assessment/Question Tool

    purplekath replied to MSN Student's topic in Psychiatric

    Oops, I also include a section for medication....any PRN I have given and why, and any medication changes I have requested or have been made, any adverse reactions

  15. Assessment/Question Tool

    purplekath replied to MSN Student's topic in Psychiatric

    I use this template: Risk factors: (risk self-harm/suicide, absconding, physical/verbal aggression, reputation etc) Mental State: (Mood, affect, speech, thought content, cognition etc, as well as any...

  16. Lost a patient to suicide?

    purplekath posted a topic in Psychiatric

    Today I lost a patient to suicide. Not in the unit. He never made it to us. I have known him for a few years, and just a day or so ago was wondering why I had not seen him for awhile...he was a...

  17. Lost a patient to suicide?

    purplekath replied to purplekath's topic in Psychiatric

    Worth thinking about ...it sucks basically. The first time I found someone hanging in their closet was sooooo traumatic! When I do my checks now, I still hold my breath when opening the closet....

  18. Hi...Need help with Australian medical abbreviations

    purplekath replied to jojojo76's topic in General Nursing

    OK...will try to help! But I have to tell you, this confuses me sometimes too :-) CCU.............think it is critical care unit. IP ..........think inpatient is correct, but not sure...

  19. Day in the life?

    purplekath replied to mikethern's topic in Psychiatric

    I'm sure the undergrad coursework varies from place to place, but when I was at uni, there was relatively little offered. It wasn't until I started working that I began to really understand the place...

  20. Day in the life?

    purplekath replied to mikethern's topic in Psychiatric

    No, not at all. With the DBT, I have a little training...just inservices etc, and have the workbooks etc. But mostly it is just experience, knowing particular patients well, knowing what works for...

  21. Day in the life?

    purplekath replied to mikethern's topic in Psychiatric

    I think I love psych nursing because no day is ever "typical". I'm in acute inpatient, and some days I look back on the day and think "wow". My last shift went something like this: Handover,...

  22. Lost a patient to suicide?

    purplekath replied to purplekath's topic in Psychiatric

    Thanks guys -- I'm all re-grouped now. I think that is how I do psych nursing ... tears after work a couple of times a week, then onward and upward. Still never gets easier though. Thanks for the...

  23. Please Help!

    purplekath replied to Can't Wait's topic in General Nursing

    Well maybe my advice is a touch different than the norm...but I say, if you have a heart for psych, then DO IT. Don't suffer another moment in a job you dislike. Life is far too short. Yes, it is...

  24. What is your daily routine?

    purplekath replied to SoontobeAdrienneRN's topic in General Nursing

    Haha...supernurse? Nooooo...put me into a clinical setting and I'd probably kill someone in the first hour!!

  25. What is your daily routine?

    purplekath replied to SoontobeAdrienneRN's topic in General Nursing

    Hmmm...I don't think one day is ever like the next in psych, but I'll give you my last shift, which is a pretty "average" one. Arrived at 7am for handover - got 8 patients and allocated one nursing...