beckbBSN

I have been a nurse for 2 years. I work with developmental disabilites and mental retardation. I am currently working on my psych NP. I was diagnosed as Bipolar at 16. I have had 3 suicide attempts. I am a recovering alcoholic. I have been hospitalized. I use psych meds daily. I took and passed my boards without issue. I practice without issue. I was fired by one employer for having my disease because they thought I should not be allowed to pass meds because I was more likely to divert medications. I never have and I was able to find a better employer. You are strong and brave for living with this disorder and for being a success. Do not doubt yourself or question your ability. And my own therapist she is a recovering alcoholic and she makes the best therapist for me.

I do not work with pediatrics so I cannot tell you what to look for in the pediatric patient. I do work with adults and more than one pedophile has been in my care. What do I think you need to know? First that it is a compulsion. They cannot help thmselves, nor can they be treated. Research from Canada shows that pedophiles have lower IQs. The lower the IQ the more likely the pedophile will be to a homosexual pedophile. Pedophiles frequently have had a significant head trauma. Pedophilia is significantly higher in the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled. Good luck.

In New York State, any licensed professional can conduct therapy sessions, so that might not be a valid concern in your state. I think you need to check your state Nurse Practice Act regarding this requirement. I think you need to ask things like: How long is the orientation? Who will orient me? Will I have backup resources for group sessions? How long are these sessions? Which patients are required to attend? What are topics that I would cover? Are there additional educational requirements that I will need to meet? What is the required documentation for these meetings? Many of these sessions are often simple such as you put out a topic like Anger management. Then you say to the group tell me over the past week what has made you angry? Write these things down. Then you ask how did you handle this? And you write that down. Then you ask was this a functional way to deal with anger or a dysfunctional way? Then you ask things like what could you have done differently? Remember that you will not being providing DSM IV diagnosis. You are not the doctor, you are a facilitator. You are facilitating communication.

I am a BSN who works with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. I am working on my psych NP. I have only been a nurse for 2 years. In that 2 years I have done a lot of work with different patients psych and nonpsych. What I have learned from my co-workers is that you can do anything you put your mind to. Here is the kicker- I am a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 10 years. I have Bipolar disorder, panic attacks, and PTSD. I take daily medication and xanax prn. I have never diverted medications. And I function at my job every day! I go to my own therapy. So should I be in psych? I will only let myself decide.:wink2: