Time crunch of psych nursing

[PAERRN20]

So I have a question for all you psychiatric and behavioral health nurses.

Do you feel crunched for time with you patients? Do you have time to get to know them? Do you feel like you have to rush through a med pass so you can hurry up and chart before the next shift comes?

A little background: I work in a busy ER that sees approximately 40,000 patients a year. It is all about moving patients so the next round can fill the beds. Its a constant revolving door. Although the patients vary, it is the same thing over and over again. Get the patient, medicate the patient, get a new patient, etc. I want to be able to talk to my patients. I don't want to have to feel rushed in everything I do. Also, any ER nurses turn psych nurses on the board? Thanks for any and all replies! :heartbeat

[PAERRN20]

Anyone out there???

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I'd say that about half of the time I have time to talk to patients. I make it a point to touch base with each, every time I'm there, at least once, but spending ample time with them is sometimes difficult when there are admits (which take about an hour) and discharges. Meds also take a long time. Charting is usually not that long-winded. The best part is spending time with the patients, though, so I tend to make time as often as possible. Patients are in groups throughout the day and nurses aren't always involved. We can get the paperwork done during that time, often, and have time when they aren't in groups to spend with the patients.

[Jules A, MSN]

Many times I do but not always. Unfortunately when there is something I'd really like to cover with a particular patient things seem to go hay wire and my time is spent medicating, doing seclusions or just putting out fires. Over all I would think that in psych we get more time than most specialities to spend with our patients if that is what you are asking. :)

[PAERRN20]

Jules- that is exactly what I was asking. I just didn't word it as clear. Thanks! Psych has always been an interest to me and it seems a little more laid back than the typical unit.

[Smitty08]

I agree w. Jules that probably overall we get a little more time to talk to patients. Its been a long time since I've been on a psych. floor per se, however, I remember busy days, and not so busy days. Also, you get good at being "therapeutic" in your interactions while you're doing your more mundane duties. I think w. managed care in the last few decades the pace of admissions has picked up due to shorter lengths of stay - so that has not helped!