The Daily Habits Of A Psych Nurse

[JesusKeepMe]

Hello to all, hope everyone is having a great day/evening/shift...if you're reading at work.

I was thinking about how my time as a psych nurse has led me to pick up some habits that I find myself doing when Im not on the clock. For example, when at work on the milieu, I would sit in a spot where I could scan the entire room and see everyone/everything. I do the same thing when Im out. I always sit in the very back of the theater at the top near an exit so I can see everyone in the theater, and if things start to go down, I can make a mad dash for the exit. Another example, when out in the community, always oimda step out and to the side when in line, just in case a stranger tries to grab/grope me. On the units I work, we would have pts who were know to SAO or sexually act out, I would keep enough space between us to prevent me from being a victim of a pts sexual impulsivity. Last example, I listen. As a psych nurse, its imperative that you listen and hear what a pt is saying, bit not saying. Listening to ques and hints that may let you know a pt is SI/HI, hallucinating, manic, plotting amd planning.

What about you, what habits have you picked up as a psych nurse?

[elkpark]

:) I find that, after many years as a staff nurse in psych, I always block a door that opens toward me with my foot as I'm locking it, from force of habit (many years of locking seclusion room doors that open out). I haven't worked as a staff nurse in many years, but I still do that, anywhere, even in my home when there's no one on the other side of the door.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

You mean besides the constant obsession over where my keys are? :)

[ddunnrn]

I was a psych nurse for almost 30 years before becoming disabled. I worked in a large state hospital here in Philly that had a bad reputation (only partly deserved) I got so used to people acting strangely around me, and got so skilled at recognizing subtle signs of mental illness, that is used to really bug my roommate and other friends if I acted nonchalant when accosted by bizarre street people, etc.

One time I was in a SAMs club and an ex-patient of mine, who was rather tall and developmentallly delayed, gave me a huge bear hug from behind, lifting me off the ground. The people around were horrified, but I just said, "Hi, Sam" later, when I worked on the local jail psych unit, a patient of mine I hadn't seen for years saw me, ran towards me, and jumped on my back, smiling and laughing. The guards were panicked, but I said, "It's just Glenn--he knows me". Of course I dutifully warned both of my exuberant ex patients from doing this again, but the onlookers were really stunned how calm I was.

The one lesson I learned that I still observe today is, "Never let anyone get between you and the door", meaning that I always check my escape route in case something unexpected jumps off. I also learned and continue to apply the knowledge that people's energy levels will generally rise or sink to match your own, so remaining calm is the best way to diffuse crisis situations.

[Bouncyball]

You mean besides the constant obsession over where my keys are? :)

Lol! I am new to this field but already had a moment. I had a heart attack when I was unlocking the front door to my house because my personal key ring does not have that many keys on it, and I'm used to carrying around a HUGE key ring at work. I started panicking and patting all my pockets thinking I somehow lost the work keys and what if the patients get ahold if them. I finally realized I was not at work when my neighbor walked over to see if I was ok.

[RNhere_]

I am always scanning my environment for things that could be used for self harm ie- stray paper clips, pencils left alone, etc. My mom is a retired teacher, so you can imagine how many of those are scattered around her house!

[RNcashy89]

A bit off topic (maybe) - but after years as a psych nurse, I feel like I am invincible in any argument against my wife/ non-psych friends etc. Haha, you can always reframe, always deflect, always promote direction. Additionally, I am much calmer in all aspects of my private life since becoming a psych nurse.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

A bit off topic (maybe) - but after years as a psych nurse, I feel like I am invincible in any argument against my wife/ non-psych friends etc. Haha, you can always reframe, always deflect, always promote direction. Additionally, I am much calmer in all aspects of my private life since becoming a psych nurse.

I knew I had arrived as a psych nurse during an argument with my mother--not only did I hold my ground without raising my voice, I determined the real reason why she was upset (she was worried about my father) and successfully redirected her :)

[JesusKeepMe]

I knew I had arrived as a psych nurse during an argument with my mother--not only did I hold my ground without raising my voice, I determined the real reason why she was upset (she was worried about my father) and successfully redirected her :)

Lol! You redirected your mom? I love it!

[JesusKeepMe]

A bit off topic (maybe) - but after years as a psych nurse, I feel like I am invincible in any argument against my wife/ non-psych friends etc. Haha, you can always reframe, always deflect, always promote direction. Additionally, I am much calmer in all aspects of my private life since becoming a psych nurse.

Could you imagine to psych nurses who happened to be married to each other, going back and forth during an argument? Each one attempting to gain the upper hand and redirect the other? Sounds like a never ending battle that would be pretty awesome to watch.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

I use many of the same skills at work as I use with my daughter who has her own mental issues. I am the one that people turn to in a crisis situation because I keep calm.

[302queen]

I dated a tech from another hospital for about 8 months. Watching me and him fight was a real treat let me tell ya haha.

Could you imagine to psych nurses who happened to be married to each other, going back and forth during an argument? Each one attempting to gain the upper hand and redirect the other? Sounds like a never ending battle that would be pretty awesome to watch.