The clock strikes 1800 (6 PM) as the next shift of nurses makes their way through four sets of locked steel doors, entering an all-male unit with 12 clients.
The atmosphere crackles with energy, and additional staff has already been summoned to the unit. Everyone dons bright blue gloves, a statement indicating potential resistance from clients. With the arrival of more teams, clients usually comprehend that there are more viable options than threatening the staff.
After firm redirection and setting conditions, a male client agrees to walk willingly to his bedroom for the doctor-ordered shots to address his out-of-control behavior.
Slowly, the client walks down the hall, fists clenched, chanting, while ten staff members closely follow without touching. Success is achieved without any injuries or harm to anyone.
Nurses and patient assistants return to the office to begin their reports when a scream pierces the air, signifying another incident.
It is only 1820 (6:20 PM), and the staff promptly returns to the hallway to assess the situation. The male client who just received shots has now crossed to the female side of the unit and struck a woman talking on the phone.
Once again, redirection is employed, and the doctor is called for additional medication. The nurses must complete the day’s unit report thirty minutes into their shift.
Mental Health Nursing: A High-Stress, Rapid-Response Environment
Mental health nurses operate in an environment of high stress and immediate reaction. Nurses must possess the ability to momentarily step back, take a deep breath, and spring into action. The unit can transition from complete tranquility to a potentially aggressive act within seconds.
During report time in the office, the phone rings incessantly, staff members come and go, and paperwork must be filled out in the aftermath of recent events.
On top of it all, the nurses deal with disgruntled colleagues running late for their dinner breaks. The stress levels continue to rise.
The Role of Mental Health Nurses: Understanding Challenges and Patient Care
Mental health nursing is a specialized field that prioritizes a person’s subjective experiences. Recognizing that private inner thoughts and feelings cannot be solely determined by behavior, mental health nursing relies on the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship as the primary tool to understand a patient’s inner world.
A mental health nurse carefully observes a person’s body language, movements, mannerisms, and facial expressions to understand their mental state. They also keep track of whether the person is experiencing auditory hallucinations and participating in conversations with others.
Mental health nurses possess the critical skill of observing and noting any changes during conversations.
Navigating the High-Stress World of Mental Health Nursing: Insights and Experiences
Discover the demanding world of mental health nursing, where high-stress environments and rapid responses are the norms. From managing challenging situations with clients to navigating the pressures of daily tasks, mental health nurses face unique challenges. Observation skills and building therapeutic relationships are essential in understanding patients’ inner experiences.
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Two true stories from today; these were 2 good not to share with you. Made me smile all day…
Problem child XYZ started cussing and a fussing; IMs ordered, no big deal. Well in all the chaos and yelling problem child 2 ABC got all manicky and mouthy and started spouting of random threats. Well in passing someone informs ABC that he should try to calm down or he'd be next so… on next hall check ABC is in his room face down on bed with pants partially pulled down. When the PA asked, "ABC", what are you doing" he stated, "Waiting for my shots." To funny.
Then as I was in the office charting med refusals and what nots the PAs ask, "Did you transfer a call to the pt phone?" My response, "NO." Well, "did the patients phone ring?" Me, "No, why?" PAs, "Come out here on the hall." I walk out on the hall to witness *** having what appeared to be a very in depth and important conversation on the pt phone. Who was on the other line… the dial tone.
Maybe it ain't right or policitally correct but I had to smile.
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