psychnurse4u

In my previous career I worked in IT for a bank. There was someone who would steal things from my lunch box. I also used to raise Yorkies. One night (i Worked 3rd shift) I took some of the dog's KIBBLE AND BITS and sealed it in a plastic bag and left it next to my lunch bag. Well the thief must have thought someone forgot it because when I came back from lunch, my coworker of many years was sitting in front of the computer screen chowing down on the dog food like it was a good trail mix. I watched him eat the whole bag and told him at the end of the shift it was dog food. I never had a problem again.

I've worked in psych for 18 years. I had the same fears. If I ask them about suicidal ideation will that in some way move then to take some action. The answer is no. Many patients have been unable to speak with anyone about their feelings and welcome it. The best thing to do is establish a therapeutic relationship with them right away, accept them as they are. Read up on some of Hildegard Peplau's work on establishing a therapeutic relationship. Don't take any remarks personally. Maybe you will be assigned a patient who is not interested in any type of interaction with you. I have encountered that many times. Just remember mental illness is real illness. Treat your patient with respect and you will do ok. Joe