Words Matter BSN, RN

Psychiatric Mental Health, Addiction, RN-BC, CARN

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All Content by Words Matter

  1. Words Matter

    Brief scale for benzodiazepine detox?

    I am just curious if anyone is aware of a brief benzodiazepine withdrawal assessment tool, like the CIWA-A. The CIWA-B just has too many questions! Many of our nurses use the CIWA-A because our only two options are that or COWS which of course is com...
  2. Words Matter

    Brief scale for benzodiazepine detox?

    Thank you for sharing your experience. If you don’t mind my asking, what was your benzodiazepine daily use, and what was the starting point of taper? I had a patient recently propose to his psychiatrist using the Ashton Method for tapering. Is this t...
  3. LOVE IT!! Talk about perspective :)
  4. When I was acquiring my pre-reqs for my BSN program, I actually had virtual labs for the anatomy, physiology and Microbiology courses. I was so grateful at the time to have found this option as I tried and failed two semesters to enroll in the course...
  5. Words Matter

    Lead Clinical Nurse is Dealing with a Negative Nelly, HELP!

    I found Cy Wakeman humorous. What I got out of her talk was leading others to uncover they often do have the ability to create their desired solution to meet many challenges. Many times I've observed intelligent and experienced professionals going to...
  6. Words Matter

    Lead Clinical Nurse is Dealing with a Negative Nelly, HELP!

    Thank you so much Nurse Beth! I am beyond grateful not to be alone in navigating this situation, both within and outside of my organization.
  7. Words Matter

    Lead Clinical Nurse is Dealing with a Negative Nelly, HELP!

    I appreciate your feedback and strong opinions. We all have so many experiences, personal and professional, informing our opinions, responses and reactions. I like what was said in one of the earliest comments about going high when someone comes in l...
  8. Words Matter

    Lead Clinical Nurse is Dealing with a Negative Nelly, HELP!

    Thank you everyone for your suggestions, experience, and conversation. Here is the latest update: I met with our interim HR manager for 2.5 hours. I was expecting no more than an hour meeting as the original intention was to review the current ba...
  9. Words Matter

    "Addiction" Nursing is an outdated term.

    AMEN
  10. Words Matter

    Brief scale for benzodiazepine detox?

    Thanks - this is a great tip. I absolutely agree regarding the importance of a slow taper. My original intention in this post was to learn from others what tool they may use to document benzo withdrawal assessment. The response of our informatics nur...
  11. Words Matter

    Lead Clinical Nurse is Dealing with a Negative Nelly, HELP!

    You are absolutely right. And we have had several 1:1 conversations at her request which end with her sending a text or email stating she appreciates feeling heard and supported. I want her to succeed and feel she's done good for at least one patient...
  12. Words Matter

    Lead Clinical Nurse is Dealing with a Negative Nelly, HELP!

    I'll keep trying on this effort. I have faith people will rise to the occasion. So far, recommendations I have made have been shot down by her, "I did that before, and nothing came of it". I encouraged her to try again. I have even coached her on the...
  13. Words Matter

    Lead Clinical Nurse is Dealing with a Negative Nelly, HELP!

    Thank you Nurse Beth! I'll let you know how the conversation goes, and will be certain to keep the focus on her performance. Sounds to me like you have rumbled with this type of employee. The good news is my manager completely supports my efforts, ha...
  14. Words Matter

    "Addiction" Nursing is an outdated term.

    I am also a CARN, 5 years in psych dual diagnosis and mood disorders, though now I have the opportunity to focus on inpatient detox. The term "addiction" does not solely encompass substances. There is gambling, sex, relationships, food, sugar, drama,...
  15. Words Matter

    Aggression Risk Assessment Scale

    I work at an inpatient acute care freestanding psych hospital. As a violence predictor we use the Broset Violence Checklist (BVC). The main con is users not assessing properly. The various categories are assigned a score based on that behavior being ...
  16. If you are getting ready to enroll in an upcoming cohort, or are trying to figure out if this program is for you, I just want to let you know to have faith. There is a reason that students who have passed Med Surg are smiling. If you can keep a pos...
  17. Words Matter

    A (Long) Note to New Grads

    Thank you for the post. I have also wanted to get into psych nursing since before my nursing program. I was told this specialty is where nurses go to retire; so I was hesitant to announce my interest until our psych nursing rotation. Where others wer...
  18. If you know the school you will be attending, I advise you speak with the nursing clinical coordinator about your situation. The person in the school of nursing tasked with arranging clinical assignments will have the best insight and direction to sh...
  19. Words Matter

    Online Science Courses

    I have applied through National University and at least at the tim eof the orientation for the Nursing program they said it did not matter so long as the labs and lectures were both taken for each of the pre-requisites. They said there is no was to ...
  20. Words Matter

    Online Science Courses

    Has anyone had experience in taking A&P I/II and Microbiology (all with labs - 4 units each course) through TUI University California? The courses are on CD with virtual labs. The school is accredited by the same institutions which accredit Nat...