RatchedAfterMidnight MSN, APRN

PMHNP/Adjunct Faculty

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All Content by RatchedAfterMidnight

  1. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Pens or pencils?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to imapsychrn's topic in Psychiatric

    Same as above, short golf pencils. I will add to the conversation eraser-less specifically because patients can use erasers to self harm by creating eraser burns on their
  2. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Forcing Meds on psych pts.

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to Irving's topic in General Nursing

    I am a psych nurse and psych nurse practitioner student. Forced psych meds and the legalities of it are commonly misunderstood by nurses who do not administer them frequently. The ONLY time that a...
  3. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Universal Health Services concerns

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to SunnyDay2day's topic in Psychiatric

    There are many UHS facilities in my area that have poor reputations due to 1:24+ nurse to patient ratios, worn down facilities with requests for repair ignored, low pay, and many many safety issues....
  4. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Moving to Fort Worth, TX

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to nyrigagirl's topic in General Nursing

    HEB ISD, Keller ISD, Northwest ISD, Burleson/Crowley have a lot of great new housing developments. I do not recommend Fort Worth ISD. Aledo has great athletics but is a further
  5. RatchedAfterMidnight

    I don't want to work as a CNA during undergrad

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to outsidegirl's topic in General Students

    I never had a CNA job during nursing school. The two job offers I had were through networking at my nursing school and through my preceptorship at the end of my four years of nursing school. I agree...
  6. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Does media acknowledge psych nurses?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to shaylaselma's topic in Psychiatric

    The public's perception of psychiatry is based on media such as Nurse Jackie and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. People do not know what we do, sometimes including other
  7. RatchedAfterMidnight

    High amounts of flatulence in Psych

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to funnypharm's topic in Psychiatric

    I really don't have anything scientific to add, but I had a patient with severe anxiety and her symptom was not nausea, dizziness, etc. She would pass gas repeatedly for hours. She would stop passing...
  8. RatchedAfterMidnight

    New Psych RN - ADVICE NEEDED

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to NMorrisRN's topic in Psychiatric

    You're welcome! I also had a second suggestion as an afterthought. If you are interested in learning specific tips (not general guidelines as was presented to us in nursing school) about therapeutic...
  9. RatchedAfterMidnight

    New Psych RN - ADVICE NEEDED

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to NMorrisRN's topic in Psychiatric

    Hello! Welcome to the exciting world of psych I don't know of a psych for dummies book per say but I would recommend buying Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing review and resource manual 5th edition by...
  10. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Can cat owners really get schizophrenia from their cats?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to Alnitak7's topic in Psychiatric

    I have a furry friend and have yet to go crazy, I think But in all seriousness, you should wash your hand thoroughly and/or wear gloves while cleaning out the cat litter. Cat feces commonly have...
  11. RatchedAfterMidnight

    How many hours is your shift?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to motor_mouth's topic in Psychiatric

    Many independent chains of psych hospitals do 8 hour shifts. I have found that psych units connected to a large health network or medical hospital have a greater chance of having 12 hour shifts (or...
  12. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Patient Population?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to smoup's topic in Psychiatric

    Each has its challenges, but I love both. I like working with the teenagers and treating the whole family. A lot of people don't like adult detox because the patients can be very irritable, but I...
  13. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Patient Population?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to smoup's topic in Psychiatric

    Primarily the adolescent unit (preteens and up), lucky me! I float to adult detox when the census is down on the adolescent
  14. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Do you have Malpractice Ins?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to smoup's topic in Psychiatric

    Yes! I use proliability (Mercer consumer) and it's only about $100/year. My employer-provided malpractice insurance covers the bare minimum and I like having $6,000,000 in my own coverage per year....
  15. RatchedAfterMidnight

    How do I know if a patient is dangerous?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to lishka15's topic in Psychiatric

    Glad you trusted your instincts, he definitely sounds like he is experiencing psychosis. Like Jules was saying, never put yourself in a position where the patient is between you and the door. Before...
  16. RatchedAfterMidnight

    UHS

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to FransBevy's topic in Psychiatric

    UHS Behind Closed Doors | The hidden harm of maximizing profits This website has many links to stories circulating in the media and a map of "problem facilities" that have been under the scrutiny of...
  17. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Housing near Tarrant County College

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to asurs's topic in Texas Nursing

    There are only a few pockets of apartments in Fort Worth. Most of the housing downtown near TCC is going to start in the upper 800s-900s for a small one bedroom. If you are willing to commute 15-20ish...
  18. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Help with mental health clinical

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to Jrhemming's topic in General Students

    In addition to practicing therapeutic communication, sit back and watch the nurse/mental health technician manage the milieu. You can learn a lot by going through charts and listening to report, but...
  19. RatchedAfterMidnight

    What's the meanest thing a patient has said to you?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to fangirl's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Endless possibilities. Kept them in my pea sized brain
  20. RatchedAfterMidnight

    What's the meanest thing a patient has said to you?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to fangirl's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    "Your size 12 a** is bigger than your pea sized brain." Sticks and
  21. RatchedAfterMidnight

    No Restraints

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to B52's topic in General Nursing

    I work in a psychiatric facility that does not have physical restraints on the property, we simply do not believe in them. If a patient is actively at risk of harming others he/she should not be...
  22. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Psychiatric Nursing & Safety - Am I too small?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to AliMC's topic in Psychiatric

    I am a petite psychiatric nurse and like to describe myself as pretty fearless :) I am in an environment with no glass around the nurses station and with a door to the nurses station that is unlocked...
  23. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Working the same unit you were once hospitalized (psych)

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to Ddestiny's topic in General Nursing

    It's a tricky decision whether to disclose past mental health problems or not to a potential employer. I am a psychiatric nurse and many employees I know are past addicts, had former struggles with...
  24. RatchedAfterMidnight

    To accept or not accept offer?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to songbird_RN's topic in Psychiatric

    I have been working psych in Texas (started in psych as a new grad). 1:16 nurse to patient ratio is not unheard of, but with that kind of ratio more techs are working the unit to make it manageable....
  25. RatchedAfterMidnight

    Is it safe for me to start in psych nursing?

    RatchedAfterMidnight replied to futuresctRN's topic in Psychiatric

    Futuresctrn:I know people who work PRN for both med/surg and psych, people who went back to a med/surg or ER residency FT and stayed PRN Psych, the options are limitless! Whatever you decide though,...