PRNMEDS

We have 1-1 eye contact, and 1-1 ARMS LENGTH eye contact. The later is for our very impulsive, self-injurious. for our regular 1-1 staff generaly sits in doorway of room. Also often the order will be for "While Awake" so that when patient goes to bed at night staff has a little more flexibility and monitors every 5 minutes.

You constantly hear that you should get at least a year of med surge under your belt. I suppose there is no harm in that - but for me I knew I wanted psych and went right to it. 7 years later and I don't regret it at all. I can't imagine doing med surge full time, so why waste a year?

I have never heard of it being contraindicated. I am pretty sure have given (though can't recall when). Did you check med book? I know Benadryl and Cogentin are contraindicated but don't see how cogentin and Haldol are.

Our hospital has recently gone to the nurses either wearing Scrubs, or having a lab coat. However, they also don't seem to mind if wearing a smock type top with cartoon figures or what not on it (its children and Adolescents only). At first the nurses were peeved, but it has really been a non issue.

$28 - 30 to start in suburbs of New York. It really depends on years of experience, type of degree etc. These will alter what you get. I believe salary is the same as med/surge.

We have a 63 year old RN who works 3p -7am on Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon. Don't ask me how she does it but she does week in and week out - So I imagine sat & sun wont be that bad. Good luck.

I never heard of an incompatibility. We give it all the time at work. I will double check with our pharmacist, but again I have personaly given it a few hundred times over the years.

Great movie - hard to believe its only like 50 years since that stuff happening. If you liked that try FRANCIS - another great movie about Francis Farmer (an old actress) and her plight throught the psych world. CHANGES - less restraints. Restraints not lasting for hours, days, and weeks. Right to have court review if really need treatment - non vouluntary treatment decreased.

Cost of living or no - I think I am ready to move to Northern NJ - WOW $82 an hour!!! Thanks to all those that responded.

I have not seen anyone with EPS from Geodon - but I am sure it can happen. My esperience with EPS is that when you see it - you know it. It would be difficult to fake - the muscle tension etc is hard to maintain if not for real. I can't believe the doctor would not treat it. You should speak with your Nursing Supervisor or Director about that. Haldol and Benadry can be mixed. Its Cogentin and Benadryl that cant be in syringe together.

I hear this argument at work a lot. Staff will say what are they learning? or what will they do when they are home. My answer is usually - they are NOT at home they are in an ACUTE psychiatric setting. Its hard to gage when someone is "really" feeling anxious, why do they need to become visibly anxious and disruptive to get a PRN? That they are in the hospital indicates that something is wrong. That they are choosing to ask for meds to get through a hard time seems reasonable to me. If they are getting to many - then the doctor should be notified, and it should be discussed in Treatment Planning. Perhaps the doctor does not have them on enough standing meds.

It seems to be a taboo subject, but I am wondering what the average wages are in various places. Does it vary a lot from state to state? (guessing yes). Anyway at my hospital in suburb of NYC - RN start at $27 - $29 an hour (more if have many years exp.) How does this compare with others that use this site?

I also had BA in Psych. For me I went back and got an Associates in Nursing. I was able to transfer most of my classes (except Bio, Chem, and of course the Nursing classes.) Took me 2 years. You could go back for Bachelors in nursing, excelarated classes etc. To me the Associates in Nursing is fine - I have a BA, and my Nursing license and most hospitals are not requiring a BA in Nursing. So why spend extra time and money for something you don't need. Associates degree is much much cheaper, and faster.

During the past year my hospital has also had a big push for NO RESTRAINTS. It has involved a huge change in philosophy. Charlies example of patients up struck me because we have done very similar. We also had a strict lights out, in bed policy. We still dont allow patients to use TV or common area but they may sit in room and read, play cards, games etc. This is only one example, during the day we have stopped fighting the kids on many fronts (going to room during quiet time etc.) and amazingly the restraints are dropping. Also if a patient is in restraints 2 times during a 72 hour period we have a special team meeting to come up with ideas to prevent further restraints. Its hard getting staff to buy into it, but if everyoned working together you would be suprised (I certainly am) how they can be reduced, and with less restraints - less staff injury.

I worked during my time in Nursing Program - but only part time and very flexible schedule. It will be hard doing full time Nursing and working full time. I did most of my sciences and stuff PRIOR to being in Nursing - but did take a Bio (A&P II?) and Chemistry class while in program. If you plan to work full time you may be better off delaying entry into Nursing and get as much of the Bio and Chem classes out of the way. Believe me the Nursing Program is going to consume your time and energy.