psychRN319

One of the most important traits of a good psych nurse is compassion. Of course, all nurses should be compassionate, but it's a different thing in the psych world. A good psych nurse truly believes that mental illness is just as serious a medical problem as heart failure or diabetes. As care providers for this population, we need to have a non-judgmental attitude and an understanding that psych patients are people with feelings who deserve our respect. We need to be in tune with the sometimes very subtle cues that our patients convey. Recognizing these cues can give us the opportunity to intervene for the best outcome for the patients and staff members. Above all, we need to really WANT to listen to our patients. Our patients won't always remember which nurse brought them their medicine or took their vital signs, but they will remember which nurse took the time to hear what they needed to say.

Are you saying that the staff actually provokes the patients just so they can call a code and do a take down? This is absurd, why would they do that to the patient and to the staff? Often I see that some staff members, while not provoking the patient, do not do enough to de-escalate the situation before it gets serious or they "jump the gun" so to speak and give meds for agitation when less drastic measures would have worked. I find that some staff members, nurses and techs alike, like to exert their power and it results in unnecessary confrontations with the patients. I have always believed that "less is more" when dealing with angry or agitated patients. If you take the time to talk to them to see what can be done it makes a big difference. If you neglect to hear the patient out and call a code, of course the patient will get defensive and more agitated, seeing this huge group of people in scrubs surrounding them----who wouldn't feel threatened? I think that if a nurse or tech doesn't feel it is important to do everything possible to avoid this situation the they do not need to work with psych patients. Talking and listening goes a long way. As a nurse (who obviously cares about his patients) its up to you to advocate for them. If someone is provoking your patient, step in and get your patient away from those who are "popping his bubble" as long as it is safe for you and the patient. Your heart is in the right place. Only when you recognize injustice can you intervene for what is just.

I am so jealous! I would absolutely LOVE the opportunity to work in NICU.....it's my dream job. Unfortunately, we have only two NICU facilities in my area and there are hardly ever any positions available. If I do happen to catch one I'm informed I need experience in NICU. Or it's "all about who you know." I've heard this alot, too. I would like mother/baby as well. If you have the chance to do it what have you got to lose? All knowledge is worth having. Good luck:)

OMG!! You read my mind!!! AMEN

Hello there. I read your thread and wanted to share my thoughts. I am an RN in Mental and Behavioral Health, specifically on the Chemical Dependency Unit. I have worked in my position since I graduated 3 1/2 years ago. My unit is a detox unit where the pts receive an Ativan taper for about 3 days, depending on which protocol they are on (alcohol, opiates, Benzos). I understand and agree that addiction is a serious problem and very misunderstood and under addressed. Sadly this is the case for all mental health conditions. At our hospital, it is known that Mental Health is the only department that does not make money for the hospital. We remain available to the community because there are very limited resources available to the mentally ill, and chemical Dependency is a mental illness. I see alot of returning pts (frequent fliers) who for whatever reason do not follow up after discharge, most relapse almost immediately. I am blessed that I haven't had to personally struggle with addiction(except nicotine:(......but I also believe I have compassion for the addicts just as I do for my pts with other mental health disorders. Just like any disease process, there are pts who really desire to get better and try to help themselves by following the advice of the treatment team. But it is ultimately their decision to use the resources we provide for them. I get frustrated about the pts that abuse the system (claim they are suicidal to get admitted, come in because they are homeless but have no interest in being clean/sober...etc.) because there are pts who really want help. I hope I helped you and feel free to ask more questions. BTW, what role do you have in addiction? Are you a nurse?

Southeastern has one of the best nursing programs in the South, maybe even the country. GO LIONS!!

Hey, Cinnabon.....ask your grandmother to help me get in! I've been trying for 3 years:)

I understand what you're saying about drug abusers getting much assistance from the government. I work primarily on the Chemical Dependency unit, we medically detox alcohol, opiate, and benzo addicts. Many nurses abhor this population. I care for them just like I care for my psych pts and adolescents. My point (sorry, got off track) is I had a pt who was injured in active duty a few years ago who was addicted to IV heroine. The military medically retired him and he gets $1400 a month pension for the rest of his life. That's cool because he was badly injured serving the country and his addiction to opiates started when he was injured. Plus he gets free health insurance as well. As for the Geri pts, I also adore the dementia and Alzheimer's pts. I never get bored talking to them. I love the stories from "the old days". The only time I have been "injured" (I wasn't hurt at all) by a psych pt in my 3 years was a poor old lady who grabbed my arm and dug her nails in....I calmly removed her hand and applied foam mitts to her hands. It makes me so sad to see the Geri pts because most of them are there because their families can't/won't care for them properly. I try to spend time with them, talking to them or just holding their hand (some of them are so sick they can't speak). It scares me to think of getting old because I could very well end up like that.

I work at a hospital with several psych units: General Psych, Acute Psych, Geri Psych, Adolescent Psych and Chemical Dependency (my home units which share a nurses station). I have also thought about the VA hospitals. The closest one to me is and hour and a half away. I like the elderly population and I think I would like an assisted living position with an Alzheimer's unit. Geri Psych is very interesting to me but they usually have alot of medical problems as well so it's similar to med/surg in a way.

Thank you for responding:) I do enjoy my job but I sort of feel trapped. Some days I leave and think "I don't want to do this! I'm going to quit!". Then sanity returns and so do I. Everyone says " you have to work on the medical floor or you'll never be able to work anywhere else". I hate this idea! I had to leave before clinical once because I was so nervous I had a panic attack.

I work as a psych nurse on the night shift because I'm terrified to do anything else. I've been an RN for three years and I still hold my first position I got after graduation. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy psych nursing but I feel like its holding me back. I'm bored with my job and I need a change but I'm so afraid to get into another area of nursing. During nursing school, my clinical rotations were a nightmare for me. Psych nursing was the only thing I felt comfortable doing. So here I am, three years later, feeling quite safe but hating myself for not being brave. I so admire nurses who can handle the everyday challenges of med/surg, ICU, telemetry, Peds, etc. and I deeply envy them as well. If I am truly honest with myself I can say I lack the confidence and organization that it takes to handle the stressful day-to-day tasks that most nurses endure. I work night shift because it is relatively laid back and I don't have to deal with the chaos of doctors, social workers, visitors, phone calls, etc. I might add that doctors scare me to death and I try to a avoid them unless absolutely necessary. I love my patients and I enjoy the luxury of having time to spend talking to them(another plus for psych). I want so much to be as confident and composed as so many other nurses. Sorry for the long post. I guess I just need some insight and/or encouragement. Thank you.