Psych RN-A Thankless Job?

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Feeling very frustrated/unappreciated. I've worked as a psych RN for many years now. When I first started nurses would spend about 15 to 30 min talking with each patient. Throughout the years more and more documentation has piled up on us, leaving less time for 1:1 interactions with the patient. I however am pretty handy with a lap top and take it with me to talk with the patient so I can spend more time with my patients and less time hidden away in the nurses station documenting. Despite often having to listen to some patients who are in a very negative mind set I still try to take the time to listen and work on positive coping skills in hopes if I can help one person change their life for the better than it would be worth it. Recently when I've returned to nurses station I've had newer nurses make a comment like, "Where were you that whole time?" Today I heard from another nurse that a doctor came into the nurses station and was making fun of me saying oh is she having her 45 minute 1:1?

Am I missing something because if anything I feel like I should be nominated for some kind of award for going above and beyond for these patients, instead of sitting in the nurses station all day socializing with other staff and looking at my cell phone. Not that I need a pat on the back, but I'm flabbergasted that I'm getting the opposite reaction from my coworkers.

No prob! Thanks for the complement! Not going to lie I do get burnt out from time to time, can get into a negative mind set myself, but try to realize the pain/chaotic lives some of these people have lived and that all behaviors have meaning.

Ive been working in Psych for 3 years now. I was lucky enough to be able to open a brand new psych facility.

I see this problem all the time. The techs on the hall are dealing with the patients 12 hours a day and you will

barely see a nurse talk to them. Then when a problem starts with a patient they are quick to medicate them

instead of talk to them. If you take the time to get to know your patients you will know what helps them

calm down and this could help avoid giving medication, avoid a restraint, and therefore decrease the amount

of paperwork a nurse would have to do.

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