I'm about to begin my clinical rotation at a state-run mental health hospital. Some of the patients on the ward that I will be going to are sex offenders. These are people who are here because the court ruled that they are "not guilty by reason of insanity." The charge nurse told us that they may try to grab at us if we get too close.
Many of them openly leered at me today. I felt really uncomfortable. I am wondering if maybe I shouldn't wear makeup to this facility.
BTW, I am a feminist and I never, ever think that a woman is ever "asking for it".... I like to wear makeup to my other rotations because I like to look pulled together and professional. But then again I can't help but feel like I'll be "asking for it" if I wear makeup to this place.
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
I did a rotation during school in a state run mental institution...think Snake Pit. There was a man there who liked to grab women and kiss them. I had on a funky pull over jacket with a pocket in front. I kept my keys,smokes,tissues, and other stuff in the pocket so I wouldn't have to worry about a purse. Apparently one day I had it a bit too full. The kissing man ran around trying to grab the women. He ran up to me and stopped dead. He thought I was pregnant and even in his psychotic state he said it wasn't good to kiss pregnant women.I wore that darn jacket all semester even though it was summer and wickedly hot.And, no, makeup or the lack of it has nothing to do with sex offenders' motives.
you are likely going to get "leered" at no matter what you do, so just be aware of your surroundings and you'll be okay.
as someone who also works on the front lines in psych...she is right: you will be leered at and fantasized about even if you showed up wearing sackcloth and ashes.
that being said, i tell students to dress and apply makeup for psych clinical the same way they would dress for church...and if they're not religious, then to dress how they would for appearing in court. err on the side of conservative, even if you think it's dull. keep all the "bs" covered.
set boundaries with patients from the word go, and do not put yourself in unsafe situations (e.g., alone with a patient, in a patient's room even with door open, etc.). and mind your language--body and verbal--as you don't want to give the patient the wrong impressions.
Thank you for everyone's comments. I realize now that it's not about sexual attraction but rather about power over an individual. This psych clinical will definitely a test of my ability to set boundaries.
what everyone before me said. i worked in a state psych hospital for much of my career. my rules were simple.
light makeup or none. i often just used tinted moisturizer and a tiny bit of mascara.
don't go into a patient's room, even with the door opened.
don't wear dangle-y earrings or any necklace.
don't be unfriendly but don't be overly friendly either. think businesslike.
if any patient asks where you live, any personal question (are you married/dating? what turns you on?) either ignore it, or say you aren't allowed to share personal information, or be vague. "i live in the general area." never ever give out your last name.
dress conservatively. think court, lunch with your great aunt, church, or something similar.
never turn your back when with a patient or allow yourself to be backed into a corner.
don't wear shoes or clothes you can't run in if necessary.
njgrl622
51 Posts
I don't think it's your make-up that they're lookin' at....so, I don't think it makes a difference!