This is a shout-out to psychiatric nurses everywhere.
I recently spent a week in a psych unit where I had wonderful nurses. I took advantage of all the therapies, but it was the 1:1 with the nurses that really meant a lot. They knew I was an RN and we spoke the same language, but as they had to remind me more than once, I was there to be taken care of rather than try to take care of the other patients.
During this time I learned how to breathe for times when my thoughts race or when I become anxious or agitated. I also learned that I need to care for myself first, rather than give everything I have to others. Then I was encouraged to write a letter of forgiveness to myself for every wrong I thought I'd done, among them disappointing people and not being the kind of wife I thought my husband deserved.
So I wanted to thank you all for what you do, and the kindness you show to patients at some of the worst times of our lives. You ROCK!!!
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
That was made abundantly clear to me during my stay---I HAVE to take care of myself first. And I have to pace myself.....to remember that I've just been through a severe episode of illness and need to take it easy, just as if I were recovering from pneumonia. That's hard to do when the illness is of a psychological origin, but I'm forcing myself not to take on other people's drama, and to forgive myself for what I've done and what I've failed to do. :)
Yep detachment, detachment, detachment. A phrase I like when other people try to suck me*into their drama is "not my circus, not my monkeys". Not very easy to do. I have learned this not only in my regular, every day person life as well as taking care of my mental health and in my recovery from codependence (and boy have I met a lot of fellow nurses in the Al Anon, CoDA circles)
I echo your thoughts Viva! I have been a patient numerous times and the psych nurses I dealt with were the best. I appreciated that they listened every time I had a concern or problem and never judged me. I felt very secure and well supported. I could never work in mental health, but I am very, very appreciative of those who do!
That was made abundantly clear to me during my stay---I HAVE to take care of myself first. And I have to pace myself.....to remember that I've just been through a severe episode of illness and need to take it easy, just as if I were recovering from pneumonia. That's hard to do when the illness is of a psychological origin, but I'm forcing myself not to take on other people's drama, and to forgive myself for what I've done and what I've failed to do. :)
Viva, I hope that your recovery is smooth and restful.
VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN
22 Articles; 9,996 Posts
That was made abundantly clear to me during my stay---I HAVE to take care of myself first. And I have to pace myself.....to remember that I've just been through a severe episode of illness and need to take it easy, just as if I were recovering from pneumonia. That's hard to do when the illness is of a psychological origin, but I'm forcing myself not to take on other people's drama, and to forgive myself for what I've done and what I've failed to do. :)