Psych nurses all have a mental illness

[WinterLilac]

Now don't get me wrong, I've copped a lot of psych nurse jokes/digs but tonight amongst a group of old aged care (LTC) colleagues, the same person made the same comment 'I always say, psych nurses have some form of mental illness to work in the industry; even if it's just anxiety or depression'. What the!? She used to make the comment 'You gotta be crazy to work in mental health!' but now she's saying it seriously. I want to say something back to point out how she is adding to the stigma of mental illness by down playing the importance of psych nursing and the abilities of psych nurses but I don't want to make a scene.

I'm not after advice, I'd just like to hear what other psych nurses feel about these comments and if they have said anything in response?

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Most people will experience some kind of mental illness at some point in their lives. And yet stigma is still so strong. Amazing.

That's my answer.

[PsychNurseSara37]

I absolutely LOVE being a Psych Nurse! I am in home care and wouldn't change it for a thing! Those comments don't bother me at all :) Some may call me crazy lol in fact I get called crazy quite often. I am a Mom of 6 and caseload 30 patients currently. I also work part time in our education department as well...so maybe I am crazy lol but either way my come back is always maybe that's why I get along so well with all of my patients!

[Heylove, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Yeah, so?

I've had to deal with family members and ex husbands with various forms of mental illness. I'm sure that I may be not quite normal, but who cares? I'm functional, successful, love my career, love my family and am able keep my mental health managed.

Thank god there are nurses like us that love working with the populations we serve!