shanon0403

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All Content by shanon0403

  1. shanon0403

    Group work sucks....at times

    I loathe group assignments. Idk why teachers insist on it. You are dependent on others, and it's difficult as working students to find time to get together. I had a partner who did nothing for one project and I was so tempted to talk to the teacher,...
  2. shanon0403

    How many hours do you work?

    I bring home about 1,200 every 2 weeks. I'm a new nurse (almost 2 years) so I'm sure there are plenty of LPNs making more.
  3. shanon0403

    A Positive Post

    That's wonderful. I hope the rest of your year is as wonderful. I'm glad you posted a positive I am supposed to be starting after my summer pre reqs and I was getting discouraged.
  4. shanon0403

    Discouraged. No longer hopeful

    Are you by chance talking about Polk State? Maybe it's the culture in the school you are in. Some of them are so obsessed with their NCLEX pass rates they ignore their graduation rate. They make it hard on purpose so that half the people drop out. I...
  5. shanon0403

    Night shift schedule?

    I eat around 1600 or 1700. Then I bring a snack for around 2300, and then I eat a small meal at 0300. That being said the first 2 weeks I worked night shift I didn't really eat because I wasn't used to being hungry in the middle of the night. That wi...
  6. shanon0403

    Teach your cat

    I found several tricks to help me: Study every day with frequent breaks. 15 to 20 minutes and then do something else for a little while. This allows your brain to process the information. The other is to know the information so well you can teach ...
  7. shanon0403

    Need help with crisis intervention training

    Ours was called satori. It taught a lot of verbal de escalation as well as physical interventions. I found that watching them all very closely and intervening as soon as you notice they seem agitated or they start to isolate. There are always early ...
  8. shanon0403

    Pros and cons of psych nursing?

    I love love love my job almost every day. Pros: Being there for people who are often disregarded Seeing progress Making a difference Free therapy when you go to groups lol Teaching someone skills they will use the rest of their life Getting really cl...
  9. shanon0403

    Self harmers

    We used to do the butterfly project. Also, we taught them to draw instead of cut. A lot of facilities don't like the patients to write on themselves though. To me washable marker seems a lot less of an issue than cutting but I don't make the rules. ...
  10. shanon0403

    psych is so hard to break into...

    I work in Florida at a psychiatric facility. I went to nursing school specifically to be a psychiatric nurse. I started as a tech. The pay sucks, but all you need is a high school diploma. That's where I got my experience and DBT skills. It can b...
  11. shanon0403

    new hire paperwork

    I was hired to begin travel nursing 3 weeks ago. I had to get a Kansas license though. The out of pocket expense when I don't have an income plus all the running around is ridiculous. When you take the ncclex they do the national background check. ...
  12. shanon0403

    Paperwork and Mental Health

    I spend so much time charting that I barely see the patients I have to look at their picture or speak with the mental health worker about their day. How can we be expected to give good care if we're stuck behind a desk all day? I started as a tech a...
  13. shanon0403

    Patient rights to refuse?

    We would also lock doors to get them to go to groups. It does violate their right to refuse, but for some people the only way they will attend a group I'd to be forced. You have to use your judgment. If you feel that strongly about it you should ta...
  14. shanon0403

    Do psych nurses really just hand out medication?

    Yes that is most of your day, but there are also groups and processing with patients. It is very rewarding to help patients who are in crisis mode if that's some thing that interests you.
  15. shanon0403

    First Job, Nursing documentation

    I had a list I kept in my badge that read: Mood, group participation, interaction, self harm suicidal or aggressive behavior, PRN med school given, and other.
  16. shanon0403

    Interest in MH Nursing Website?

    If it was a violation of company policy than you need to contact the compliance office at your work. If you are looking for material for groups I have found a lot of great resources with therapistaid, and teencentral for other groups. Also, if you h...
  17. Psych is a great field, but not for everyone. You have to be crazy and have a very dark sense of humor. Lol. You do lose a lot of hands on skills when you work psych so if er is your ultimate goal than just do 6 months for the experience and the pa...
  18. shanon0403

    Who should run a psych unit?

    I think the therapist should run the units, or a separate unit coordinator. Psychiatrists are too busy and the mental health workers are not qualified. Nurses aren't well trained in assessment unless they have a masters or more.
  19. shanon0403

    Tell us about a GOOD day at work!

    I have WAY more good days than bad days at worK. One of the best days was when I made up my own group and it was one of the best groups ever. Even the girls from multiple other facilities commented on how great it was. Then I stopped a major fight o...
  20. shanon0403

    Starting new psych job

    If you know the style of therapy the facility uses for example: DBT, CBT etc. It would be good to go over some of the highlights so you know how the programs will be set up. If a patient says if you don't move I'm going to hit you...do NOT stand clo...
  21. shanon0403

    Euthanasia. Murder or Mercy?

    I never understood people who are against this. if a dog is old and sick they say how horrible that you won't put it down, but it's OK for grandma to suffer?!? When I get old, miserable, and in pain constantly I hope someone loves me enough to morph...
  22. shanon0403

    Soooo discouraged:( First Med Error

    Ugh! I feel your pain! Med errors are stressful, you worry about the patient and your job. You feel like nursing isn't for you, but when I was stressed about mine I was flooded with stories of med errors. Before I made mine I had a gut feeling somet...
  23. I have also been looking for an online LPN to BSN program. I'm worried how clinicals work with online. Do you have to find a hospital near you or fly somewhere? Does anyone know which schools are mostrecommended? I've heard good things about Weste...