Psychiatric Nurses and Safety

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 28, 2016

In nursing school you will learn the various safety measures and techniques that are used in psych facilities.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 28, 2016

Combative and agitated patients are found everywhere.

You do not have to give up the idea of practicing psych nursing, just be very careful where you do it.

I had the living crap beat out me by a psychotic patient... with 2 mental health workers in the room.

My son had to take care of me after the beating.. I wanted to go back, he begged me not to... and I didn't.

Kayla_Martin · Apr 28, 2016

I just completed the LPN program and didn't learn any safety measures. Maybe that will come later on in my education. Also, the job I was looking at just special training for staff members. So that's a plus. I was just wondering kind of what was taught.

Kayla_Martin · Apr 28, 2016

And I'm sorry to hear you got the crap beat out of you.. I know there are psych patients everywhere but I am interested in a tactility such as a psych ward. I guess I'll just have to experience it first to find out if that is really what I want to do.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 28, 2016

In nursing school you will learn the various safety measures and techniques that are used in psych facilities.

Sure! There are de-escalation techniques, and hopefully security available. Won't stop a psycho from flying across the room, pounding you to the ground and pulling your hair out.. will they?

Kayla_Martin · Apr 28, 2016

Yes that's all I've learned so far are de-escalation techniques. But you are right, it won't stop them. Like you mentioned just be careful where you work. I'll be doing some more research.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 28, 2016

I just completed the LPN program and didn't learn any safety measures. Maybe that will come later on in my education. Also, the job I was looking at just special training for staff members. So that's a plus. I was just wondering kind of what was taught.

That would be CPI. Read up on it. Just make sure your patients read up on it as well. :up:

Kayla_Martin · Apr 28, 2016

Awesome! Thanks for the info :)

loriangel14, RN · Apr 28, 2016

Psych patients are't always violent. i did a placement in school on a PTSD unit. They weren't out of control or aggressive just troubled. There are many different types of psych nursing.

If you are a grown up you should be making your own decisions not your husband.

Kayla_Martin · Apr 28, 2016

Okay thank you for your input. However, I didn't say he doesn't want me to do it. I said he is unsure. In a good marriage, you take your spouse's thoughts into consideration as well.

shrinkyrn · Apr 28, 2016

Kayla, I just retired after 41 years of Psych/Addictions nursing. I worked inpatient (childrens, geriatric, acute and chronic), outpatient, did ER evals of psychiatric and substance abuse patients. I was hurt in all those years, in all those areas, maybe 3 times. You have to develop good assessment skills, and ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings, you also have to develop good crisis intervention skills. There is training available for managing out of control patients, but one must learn to intervene when you see escalation start, that takes time and learning patterns of the illness. Since many of the sickest patients are frequent flyers, you get to know who you can expect to act out, some people will be a surprise, though. The kids are the worst, in my opinion. I worked with them when I first started. If your passion is psych nursing, learn as much as you can, don't deny yourself, takes a special kind of person to work with the Mentally Ill. Good Luck to you!!