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I had the same experience. Also, I had to DC half my patients after the first injection due to extreme nausea. At least one of my Vivitrol patients had a great deal of problems having a total knee surgery. The anesthesiologist, upon finding out about the Vivitrol, stated, "Damn it! A vivitrol patient!" he had to wait 6 weeks in constant pain while the naltrexone cleared his body. Even with the wait, anesthesia was very difficult. Even a Bier block was only partial effective. The paralytic even exerted varied response.

I am all for random urine drug screens for all staff. In my 22 years working psych, SUD and dual diagnosis, I have worked units that had using addicts working. One inpatient unit at a prestigious hospital had a psych tech who sold speed and oxy's to the patients, families and other staff. Many years ago, when I was working high stress environments (Trauma ICU, ER, Flight Nurse, Paramedic instructor), I dealt with my anxiety and low self-worth by stealing and using morphine. I always made sure my patients got the dose they needed before taking my part. I was caught in a random UDS, and it was the best thing that ever happened in my career. I received extended treatment and became a member of a world-wide community of recovering people. I have not used any illicit drug since June 29, 1989. Random screens, as much as they are a pain in the butt, are very useful at several levels for nurses.

Come down off the cross, Martha. People need the wood. They are mostly dinosaurs now, but Diploma Grads used to be the go-to for expertise and mentoring in nursing. No college degree. Becoming a nurse was called "training". Not education. My mother was a diploma grad, US Army Cadet Nurse. Her training would be considered human torture today. Example: Her first night shift in training was in the newborn nursery. She had 21 babes to care for alone. Remember, she also had to mix up the formula, wash and sterilize the bottles and nipples, feed each baby every 2 hours, meds as necessary (this was way before NICU). She had cloth diapers to contend with. She was in there from 11:00 PM until 8:00 AM. Back in her day, when nurses graduated, they earned the coveted knee-length, wool cape. That's right. Every diploma nurse upon graduation was given a Navy-blue wool cape with red lining and "RN' embroidered on the collar with "GSH" (Good Samaritan Hospital) on the other side. She has told me some stories that kept me up at night (still do sometimes). After 45 years practice in everything from combat nursing to flight crew to Level I Trauma to forensic psych, now I can tell some stories that will keep baby nurses awake at night!

I am reminded of the old Fox News motto, "We report. You decide.". I try to present as much as I can, within the recipient's ability to understand, and allow them the autonomy of their own lives. I believe (my opinion!) that the U.S. has all but abandoned the concept of informed consent.

Me: 38 years treating people with addictions (and several hundred other diseases). 22 years clean by the Grace of God and the power of Narcotics Anonymous. Remember that medical "diagnosis" is the realm of medical practitioners. We specialize in the practice of NURSING. Remember that our patients ARE people with their own perceptions, biases, culture and position in society. When the vast majority of your patients and families use the word "addiction" to refer to their disease, why confuse the issue? They have enough change in their life to deal with ! I used Substance Abuse Disorder a few days ago at a N.A. meeting and got several giggles and snide comments about renaming what's already been accepted for years. I am personally very happy that Nursing, as an essential Profession, is finally recognizing the millions of people that suffer, and those that die, from addiction. All day. Every day.

I go to the "Couch" NA meeting daily at 6:00 PM. Go to https://virtual-na.org/meetings/" to find on-line meetings 24/7, around the world. On any given day, there are over 2000 meetings available. I really love the Couch meeting. Our password is "Potato", See you there !

Sorry. wrong button. I have been a RN for 44 years. CNA for 2 years before getting my LPN. Then 5 years later, BSN, 13 years later, MSN (Psych). I have done all those jobs plus many more. I. always tried to do my best and learn the job well. I always looked for ways to improve efficiency. I spent 8 years as a Navy Nurse, Commissioned Officer (final rank, Lieutenant Commander). I learned that WE did what had to be done, and the most successful, enlisted and officer, were those that accepted the assignment and went at it. Every night the floor in my ICU was cleaned and polished. I ran a buffer many times, for an hour, so Hospital Corpsmen could have a break. The consideration for their value made my teams much more cohesive and efficient in our patient care . So, I fully call every job I do to contribute to the relief and restoration of my patients Nursing Practice. Take the long view, the Big Picture. by helping keep your facility above water and functioning, you contribute to the mission of patient care. Imagine your patients being scattered to the wind if you shut down. Also, you're out of a job. When I read your post I heard loud and clear you ARE a nurse, heart and soul. People say to me, "Oh, you work as a male nurse." I respectfully reply not "as a nurse ". I AM a nurse, heart and soul. Started helping my RN mother (Army Cadet Corps trained) at the county hospital when I was 13. Just got better and better as the years go by. Hang in there. Take an attitude of each and every assignment as an opportunity to grow and mature in your practice. Quick aside. Strangest job I ever had in my career. On Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Navy Base I was assigned temporarily as Medical Officer to The Tank Platoon! This is normally a Doctor assignment but the Navy had run out of GP's. I was CCRN, and EMT, and teaching classes in trauma response in my previous assignment. Once I acclimated to the tanker and Marine Corps culture my observation was we were all little boys with really great toys. We camped on the beach; took the tanks to the bluffs to the North and I got to participate. and shoot al those great weapons. Talk about team work. My Marines worked together as a single unit and smooth as a Swiss watch. You never know what experiences await you. Keep your focus and devotion to you patients you have been honored to care for at some of the worst days of their lives. After 40-45 years, the memories of all the good you have done for your fellow man.

I have been a RN 4 years. I have done all of those jobs to the best of my abili

Hello, all. I have been working forensic psych for many years and have always had a question when reading forensic nursing forums. Is there such an animal as a male RN/MSN etc. SANE ? Not that is a career goal or even one that I would necessarily agree with. Mostly curiosity. I about to fully retire and do occasional consulting. Love to read this forum.

I got nothin'

Wow ! Wuzzie. You knew Dr King and James W ?

Cowboy96; Please do us all a favor and drop out of nursing school or change your major. I do not want you caring for me in the ED.

Would anyone in today's world ever title an article, "Bring in the girls"? The title reminds me of a sorority that is deciding to go coed. The language of this title may actually subtly focus the problem with bringing men into nursing. There is a meme out there that shows the "What I Do " set-up. Most of the depictions are men in scrubs lifting things, turning patients, carrying large loads, etc. When I was in school, people would ask, "Are you studying to be a male nurse"? I would respond, "No. I am studying to be a nurse. I have been a male for all my life". I believe the best way to attract men to nursing lies with the men in nursing. I have been a Registered Nurse for 43 years and use the mentoring model at all times. I have found that young male nurses take well to mentoring, regardless of the specialty. Of course, there are outliers that do not respect the career experience. I point out that I am still practicing after 50 years of patient care. You just don't see those numbers in other professions. Recently the show "America's Got Talent" featured a fantastic singer (may win it all) who just happened to me a major humanitarian, foster father of several handicapped and mixed race children. He also is a pediatric psychiatric nurse at al Children's Hospital. This is the type of citizen we need in our folds. I am retired but volunteer for a free medical clinic at least three times per monrh. I get the opportunity there to recruit young men into the world of nursing. I have to add that as a heterosexual male, nursing school being 9:1, female to male ratio, was no small part of my decision-making. My parents were both nurses, U.S. Army veterans. I was literally raised in the art, science and mileau of what it means to be a nurse. Let me emphasize, I am a nurse.

Unisex scrubs are like a small, country hotel; no ballroom.

Here ! Here ! In 8 years of locked psych/forensic units I had same as you. Three trips to the ER, total of 210 days off for "Assault injury" on full pay. Also, while taking down a little 60 y/o lady who was punching me in the face, she came down on the concrete floor on top of my left knee. Blew out medial AND lateral meniscus. Two surgeries and 9 months off for rehab. BUT, I won't work with any other population. Been at it for 25 years. To me, these are absolutely the most in need of nursing care to have as "normal" lives as possible. PS - I worked in Shock Trauma years ago. One night a gang member was allowed into the holding room for organ donors to say goodbye to his brother. He was overwhelmed with grief, pulled out a gun and fired three shots into the ceiling. After I changed my underwear, I was more careful of who came in.