Working in Psych while Pregnant

sk2198 · Nov 11, 2009

hey futurenovarn,

are u ready for monday's exam--> fluid and electrolytes (exam 4)? im just trying to finish the readings.. there is way too much crap to remember. how r u doing up to this point? oh i think u said u were pregnant? i dont think u should have a problem at the psych facility... i doubt that you'll ever be alone..u'll always have supervision of ur instructor.. btw, r u takin hlt 250 this semester? im taking it online... i have two more exams left and i just cant get to them... do i know u? who do u have for ur monday discussions? i have mr vananden..and im pwh for clinicals..

pandora44 · Nov 11, 2009

You should be fine. If you're not obviously pregnant, be sure to let your instructor know. Just follow all the general rules like not letting a patient get between you and the door, always have another student nurse with you. If you get a bad vibe from a patient or start to feel uncomfortable, high tail it back to the nurses' station. Stay away from any obviously agitated patients. These are the same things I would tell any student nurse.

stephva1008 · Nov 12, 2009

as a nursing student, you shouldn't have a problem. I almost had my jaw broken from a schizophrenic patient who saw "something fishy" in my eyes when I was 9 months pregnant. He was even cuffed, hands in front, just came on the unit from the brig. But he went up with his arms and clocked my jaw. I was black and blue for some time. I'm thankful he didn't go for my very huge belly.

He didn't remember that at all and when he cleared up he was very apologetic, lol.

Cilantrophobe · Nov 12, 2009

Thank you all for your responses. I WILL be visibly pregnant and believe me, my teachers that don't already know will be very surprised when we return from winter break!

ChildPsych-I actually read your story on another thread and was hoping for your insight. Thank you.

It will be very interesting to see what I will encounter. I have decided to just go ahead and do psych first 8 weeks and OB second 8 weeks. I also didn't realize that we are only doing rotations at short-term facilities. Mr. V told me that the people we will encounter are actually very much like "you and me" he said. Which makes sense considering my aunt went to a short-term facility recently for depression.

aloevera · Nov 16, 2009

Keep a distance from the pts. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been kicked, slapped, pushed, etc........I am sure when your instructor is aware that you are pregnant, you will not be put in harms way.......

Good Luck...........

elkpark · Nov 16, 2009

Keep a distance from the pts. !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been kicked, slapped, pushed, etc........I am sure when your instructor is aware that you are pregnant, you will not be put in harms way.......
Good Luck...........

I have been kicked, slapped, shoved, etc., in the line of duty over the years, also, but I've also taught multiple clinical rotations (in the state hospital as well as community hospitals) and I've never seen (or even heard of) a nursing student being physically assaulted in any way. Are you referring to experiences as a student? I think clients automatically tend to have more positive feelings about them and cut them more slack than they do the regular staff. Also, we instructors try our best to keep students away from any "high risk" clients.

aloevera · Nov 16, 2009

I have been kicked, slapped, shoved, etc., in the line of duty over the years, also, but I've also taught multiple clinical rotations (in the state hospital as well as community hospitals) and I've never seen (or even heard of) a nursing student being physically assaulted in any way. Are you referring to experiences as a student? I think clients automatically tend to have more positive feelings about them and cut them more slack than they do the regular staff. Also, we instructors try our best to keep students away from any "high risk" clients.

That is exactly what I said.........the instructor would not put her in harms way.........

way back when, when I was in school, we were sent to interview (on our own) pts., but i am sure they gave us the least psychotic and violent ones to talk to....... ( I am talking 30 yrs. ago) :eek:

JenTNRN · Nov 22, 2009

In my 2 years of Psych, I have only been hit once. I worked my whole pregnancy in Psych, but I never worked the acute units while I was pregnant. At our hospital we have acute male and female units, Child & Adolescent unit, an A & D unit, and a sub acute thought disorder unit. If the hospital you are going to has acute units, I would stay off of them. Talk with the staff on the units because a lot of psych patients histories and behaviors are well known by the staff (Revolving door) because they often discharge and return again and again, so staff should know the safest patients to put you with!

kiwipsychnurse · Nov 24, 2009

Ask to go to a rehab ward, putting you in an acute ward being so pregnant is not good. Try and minimise your exposure to very unwell patients. At the end of the day you might not have a choice but put your case forward to your tutor and then if you do find yourself on an acute unit you will get a feeling for how rough and tumble it may be. Some acute units are more sub acute, others are like war zones. If its the latter say in the office as much as you can. All the best.

7student7 · Nov 26, 2009

You are not stupid to worry about it. I'm a CNA and I've been definitely been attacked before. The usual - pinching, slapping, and the unusual - stabbing with crayons, blankets over your head, throwing shoes.

Try to avoid the really bad floors/wards, and definitely ask who you should look out for. The nurses get to know almost everyone after a few years - listen to them! Sometimes the most innocent looking/cutest patients like to do some really wild things.

A coworker was pregnant recently, and so many people fixated on her baby in weird ways, it made me nervous for her. No violence - they just liked to say weird/vile things.

Like other people said, I don't think I'd go on an acute floor while pregnant. Try to find an alternative or stay behind the desk. I'm not trying to scare you, but you should know the possibilities.