SarahMaria

Currently, in the psych ED, we have 6-7 patients each. Previous job in correctional psych was 18-23 each.

The most I have worked in a day is 20 hours. Then, I had to come back 4 hours later. Horrible!! I think 12 days in a row was the most I ever did.

I highly recommend liability insurance as a CYA option. I have had NSO for many years.

I also work at a state-run, unionized hospital with mandatory overtime. We have to work MOTs unless the staff has FMLA. Essentially, we can get MOTs for days on end. I have had to work a MOT for every shift in a pay period many times which leads to 9 double shifts.

I have worked with many attention seeking and malingering patients. Especially the patients who would continue to reside at our state psych facility rather than return to corrections. In my experience, these patients are tremendously frustrating, but I tend to treat them as I would any other patient. There may be issues that the patient is dealing with that are unknown to staff.

Having worked with violent criminals who have psychiatric disorders, I would say that staff have been pressing charges against these patients who commit bodily injury in the workplace. When a patient has multiple charges, it is easier to get them discharged to corrections.

I work with people with no conscience/remorse on a daily basis. Anti-social personality disorder aka sociopaths are fairly common in the psychiatric unit. They lack empathy and remorse while being very manipulative and charming.

If possible, you can join the APNA (American Psychiatric Nurses Assoc.) where you can get continuing education and support.

I work in a forensic psych hospital and have been told that, "all patients have the right to view their charts." This is a major safety issue. My patient was given such access, read my progress note, and then began to threaten/stalk me. This patient has already committed murder once. I feel that my safety is at risk.

I have often been told that, "you're not a real nurse, you're a psych nurse." It is offensive and condescending. I completely disagree with needing ANY med-surg experience. I also directly went into psych and am very happy and competent.

Typically, "bags" refers to heroin. In my area of the U.S. they are about $10 each.

I work hazardous duty, and will retire at 54. This is after putting in 20 years.

I have worked 20 hour shifts. I can be forced to work 16 hours, but after that, I have consented to work the additional 4 hours.

You could join the APNA (American Psychiatric Nurses Association). They offer new-to-psych courses for a fee. There are plenty of CEUs offered, some for free. https://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1