What are some typical things you do as a Psychiatric Nurse

[cd365c]

I am currently only two years into Nursing school and exploring my options for what I would enjoy doing. What is a typical day like as a Psychiatric Nurse? Do you feel it is fulfilling work? Is there a certain type of place you would recommend trying to get a job at over another? Generally, are there a lot of openings for new graduates with a BSN to get a psychiatric nursing job, or is it tough to get one without any experience?

I envision a very rewarding job because you are helping people recover and deal with mental illnesses. I am sure that it is hard sometimes if patients are uncooperative or may cause physical harm to a nurse. But, a lot of my interest stems from what exactly is therapeutic to treating people with mental illnesses. Is certain medications the answer? Are the therapy sessions what primarily help people? Is the possibility of speaking to someones spiritual domain helpful? What roles have you played in patient's care that has made someone better? I would love to hear what any of you nurses have found over the years!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Assessments of both physical and mental status; stabilizing patients in crisis; administering medications and medication reconciliation; lots of therapeutic communication (perhaps my greatest intervetion); teaching patients coping skills; educating patients and their familes on psychiatric illnesses and medications and coordinating continuing care after discharge.

[lasair]

At the moment I am working in old age psychiatry - the unit provides long term care for challenging behaviour as the result of cognitive impairment, dementia, depression, psychosis etc in individuals over 65 that cannot be cared for in a nursing home. we aim to maintain a safe environment, prevent challenging behaviours with daily assessment to while look after their physical and mental health.

[cd365c]

Thanks for the replies. This helps me get a little picture of what happens!

[nurse lala, BSN, RN]

From the perspective of a nurse working in suicide prevention, spirituality is often a component of mental illness, and can be a bit of a mixed bag. I have contacted clergy twice in the past month to assist a client in their recovery (meaning mental illness in one case, substance abuse in the other). In both cases the clients were in spiritual despair and benefited from the counsel. When a client is hyper-religious, a symptom seen in psychosis, it would be inappropriate for a spiritual consult, at least until the client was stable on medications.

Spirituality also becomes involved with molestation from clergy, another trigger for the victim and the family. This is the type of case in therapy is essential, and meds are secondary.

[cd365c]

I would definitely consider myself a spiritual person. I definitely have a special compassion for people and believe that love can impact anyone (in this instance patients). Spiritual care seems like something that I can bring to people in all situations whether it is just a sign of care or a conversation about the meaning of life. Thanks for explaining some examples!

[PG2018]

From the perspective of a nurse working in suicide prevention, spirituality is often a component of mental illness, and can be a bit of a mixed bag. I have contacted clergy twice in the past month to assist a client in their recovery (meaning mental illness in one case, substance abuse in the other). In both cases the clients were in spiritual despair and benefited from the counsel. When a client is hyper-religious, a symptom seen in psychosis, it would be inappropriate for a spiritual consult, at least until the client was stable on medications.

Spirituality also becomes involved with molestation from clergy, another trigger for the victim and the family. This is the type of case in therapy is essential, and meds are secondary.

Hey, new guy here on the AllNurses block. I don't mean to be obtuse, but I'm always troubled by the term "hyper-religious" because I am a man of faith. Would Billy Graham be labled as hyper-religious?

[cd365c]

Check out this website:Hyper-religiousity/Hyper-religiosity/Hyperreligiosity/Hyperreligiousity -- Identifying and Overcoming Patterns of Religious Dysfunction

No, Billy Graham would not be considered hyper-religious. The term more fits people who are causing harm to another in the name of a religion, or isolating themselves to a cult away from society. Again, though, the idea is subjective to a individual. What is considered a cult versus what is just religious behaviors? That varies person to person.

[PG2018]

Check out this website:Hyper-religiousity/Hyper-religiosity/Hyperreligiosity/Hyperreligiousity -- Identifying and Overcoming Patterns of Religious Dysfunction

No, Billy Graham would not be considered hyper-religious.

I'm glad to know that.

Your description reminds me of some movie characters we've all seen - serial killers and such.

[TerpGal02, ASN]

I think in this instance "hyper religious" would refer to a pt who is religiously preoccupied or having religious delusions/hallucinations (ie, "I am Jesus Christ", or "I see angels and demons everywhere"). Pretty common manifestation of psychosis. In that case, a chaplain visit might do more harm than good.

[nurse lala, BSN, RN]

Would Billy Graham be labled as hyper-religious?

In the absence of a mental disorder, no.

[LisaNICUrn, BSN]

I think what lala is meaning from hyper-religious isn't just being a person of faith, we have psychotic patients who are religiously preoccupied or believe they are God, believe God is speaking to them, paces the halls with a bible blurting out verses, yelling at patients while blurting verses, sometime when we try and give meds they refuse, citing something out of the bible that has nothing to do with giving a med. Also, sometime hyper-religious also means thinking they are the devil. I have a patients who told me his father is saten, and he's here's to send everyone to hell for his father.