PrisonPsychRN

I personally work in a prison psychiatric ward, however with that being said, it is most like a long term. I have had most of my patients for more than 2 years now. I have only been there for 3. I love being in a place where I can form a lasting reltaionship with my patients. I have an older population that are mostly in their 50's -60 years old. They suffer from dementia and other psychiatric illnesses. I find it much more rewarding than a hospital. Good Luck!

4.2 miles to work. It usually takes me about 8-10 minutes. I personally hate driving, so as another poster stated. 15 minutes would be my limit. I hate driving! If I could be closer, I certainly would!

Thank you so much for posting this valuable article! I appreciate the perspective you gave on treating and managing psychiatric patients! I currently am employed in a correctional payshiatric facility. I love it! I cannot imagine working anywhere else. Just as you said, my patients are just like anyone else, they recognize when they are not feeling well and will voice their problems, sometime they just need to spek to someone, or they need to have the nurse ask the questions to get them to open up. I really wish there would be more psychiatric nursing covered in nursing classes!

I often have that problem after a particularily frustrating day at work. I use Melatonin to help me sleep when I am wound up. The only side effect I have is that I will have highly unusal dreams but, they are not work related. Once you have a sleep routine estab,lished, you will find that your sleep will come easier. Good for you for being a NICU nurse!

Thank you very much...the links are helpful!

Good Morning, I have been asked to lead a group on my tier. It could be about anything. The patients are fairly functional and most are pretty good about self care. There are several patients who do suffer from dementia. They have already completed groups on medication management, and several groups related to communication and self esteeem. I wanted to do a group about personal care, ie nutrition, personal hygiene, making good choices from the commisary list, exercise, the importance of showering and skin care as well as good sleep habits. Most of my patients are long term residents and they all have some form of chronic illness ranging from diabetes, cardiovasvular, and HTN. I realize they are older ie 50+. I don't want to talk down to them, but I want to be able to give them some education. Most of them are illeterate so pictures and simple descriptions would be helpful. My question is this. .. I have NEVER led a group before and I don't know exactly where to get cirriculum for this. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions? Where is a good place to find cirriculim? How do I go about leading this group?

My favorite part is seeing an acutely ill patient become medication complaint and then be able to participate in groups and be able to function. I love the feeling when they tell me "It was because you helped me."

In Jessup, MD power is out. Not at my work though...everything is a go so far. Lots of prayers being sent North for my fellow nurses working in the worst of it.m KUDOS to all of you!

Female Psych/ Corrections 1 17 yr old Jack Russell Terrier. DH got him for me for Mother's day 11 years ago. We adopted him from Pet Finder. Cooper is my velcro baby! He follows me everywhere when I get home. He wakes me in the middle of the night to go potty. 2 cats both are rescue: 1 girl Vera ( my son named her for the Pink Floyd Song) who just turned 1 in June. 1 boy Syd ( named for the lead singer in Pink FLoyd (Syd Barrett) who will be 1 in November . 2 Russian Tortoises Fred & Imber 1 Snowflake Morray Eel (Eelbert Einstein :) ) he is about 8 years old and numerous saltwater fish! 2 guinea pigs Karma (5 yrs) & Rosco (9yrs) they were both rescues as well! The cats and dog all sleep where ever they want. Although admittedly, Cooper gets help into and out of bed. He cries terribly if I go to bed without him! . So he sleeps with me.

Good luck to you. I absolutely love Psych! And just like the previous poster said, you will know if it fits you or not within a short period of time. By the way, I completely agree with your statement about the anxiety attack and floor nursing! UGH! I cannot imagine having to do that. I admire those that can, I have come to realise I am not of that sort. :) I wish you lots of luck on your new adventure!

I cannot even begin to imagine the loss, pain and heartbreak you are experiencing. I can only imagine the search for the why, the frustration of not knowing the answers. What I can imagine for you and pray for you and your little baby is being swept up in God's loving embrace and the feel of his love and eventually the whisper of the answers your are searching for. You and your family are in my prayers!

I often get insulted because I work in a prison. "That's where nurses who don't know much English work." and I happen to work psych at the prison "Isn't that just a paper pushing job?" from my sister who works as a RN in Orhtopedics at a hospital... Until she called me one night in reference to a psych patient that she had. I love my job and occasionally have a burnt out feeling. But in all honesty couldn't imagine doing anything else! If I do happen to go crazy as my patients are...well I hope I have a great nurse to care for me!

I am a psychiatric nurse for the Maryland Department of Corrections psychiatric hospital. I work with sub acute mentally ill patients. Basically they aren't harming themselves of others so they are on my floor. Most of them are not medication compliant at least as far as psych meds go. I have been doing this for nearly 2 years and I have been a nurse for 4. Prior to here I have worked at the local detention center. Here is my dilemma... I am considering changing specialties because quite frankley I am burnt out! I love my job and I often feel like this is where I am meant to be. Lately however, I dread getting up and going to work, I can't wait to leave, and I just want to get the h*ll out of here at the end of my shift. I took a week vacation...I didn't go anywhere, but I didn't go to work either. When I returned though I felt worse than when I was here. I am good at what I do, and I often get complimented by the officers and psych associates for my work with the patients. My supervisor does not seem to notice or care. I honestly believe that I am a body to fill a space. I also honestly believe that if I were to make a mistake I would be immediately hung out to dry. He in no way would have my back. Not only is that frustrating, It makes me feel very disposable. I do love what I do, but I do not love where I am doing it. I want to get back to more of a clinical basis of nursing and away from teh psych side. While I am good at it, I am burnt out! I don't want to deal with another poop thrower, uring thrower, spitter, or screamer at least for a couple of years. So if I do go to another facility, how do I go back to a more clinically based setting. I guess I am afraid that I have lost touch with that side of nursing. We do the basics here. BP, fingersticks, labdraws for medication levels, bandage changes etc. I just don't want to feel like that much of a fish out of water. Oh and on top I am taking accelerated BSN courses. Maybe I am doing too much! UGH!