Scared on mental health placment

[Heinz beans]

Im half way through a mental health placement at a local hospital. It has begun to hit me the last few days that Im quite scared of some of our consumers. Some people have chased and attacked other nurses and snapped at me (I was able to diffuse the situation). Im worried I will get hurt and I haven't had any aggressive behaviour managment training. How should I handle this?

[anonymousstudent]

Well, let me give you some of my background. I've worked (not as a nurse, as a therapist) in a maximum security forensic psych hospital and in several prisons in the past. I have NEVER had anybody attack me. Ever.

Here's my theory. Patients in these situations are under an ungodly amount of stress. The environment itself is not conducive to healing. ACT NORMAL. I know you've heard of nurses being attacked. And who knows the situation. But I have seen staff treat ill patients like crap and then expect them to not respond. Treat people well. Always always always treat them well. That won't work 100% of the time, but it will work most of the time.

As far as the snapping, try not to take it personally. Don't ever respond personally. Just keep your cool. Don't get angry or upset. And don't be afraid.

GL, keep your chin up!

[kb14]

My friend who is in psych nursing... never stand by a corner where you can easily be cornered. It's just an added caution.

[elkpark]

Here's my theory. Patients in these situations are under an ungodly amount of stress. The environment itself is not conducive to healing. ACT NORMAL. I know you've heard of nurses being attacked. And who knows the situation. But I have seen staff treat ill patients like crap and then expect them to not respond. Treat people well. Always always always treat them well. That won't work 100% of the time, but it will work most of the time.

ITA. I currently work in a freestanding psychiatric hospital where some of the techs on the "intensive care" unit, with the sickest clients and highest security, will get up in a client's face because s/he didn't say "please" and "thank you" when s/he asked for a cup of coffee. Jeez, folks, we're not running a charm school here -- it's a psych unit!!!! Remember the Golden Rule and treat clients the way you would like to be treated (even though that certainly doesn't mean that you can necessarily do or give them what they want -- but you can treat them with the basic respect and courtesy that you would wish for yourself).

I've been in psych my entire career, and, while I've seen plenty of people go off, I've seen v. few situations where a client got violent that wasn't either a) provoked by a staff member (certainly not all, or even most, situations, but it does happen) or b) a situation where the client had been obviously escalating for some time and staff failed to notice and respond in a constructive way.

I've taught psych nursing in a number of settings over the years, and most of my students have ended up enjoying their rotation. I hope your instructor is providing a lot of support and oversight, and staff are keeping an eye on students, and I hope this will turn out to be a good experience for you -- best wishes!