Am I too soft and easy going to do this course?

[erlf]

I ask this question because I am taking a different approach to some of the staff. Here follows some examples -

Comments

[nevboo]

Ah, well of course you know generally people don't make poor mental health up as attention seeking behaviour. I wonder how many of your collegues really understand mental health.

[erlf]

As in all jobs the quality of the staff varies. Some of the staff are really good, and do empathise with the patients. I think the main problem is that the staff have too much to do per shift, and patients often suffer. For a 21 patients they only have 2 qualified nurses, and three Nursing Assistants per shift on average. This is ok if you don't have any demanding patients/problems....

[erlf]

It is a tricky balance to achieve, but I am working on it! At the moment I have more time to spend with the patients, but when I qualify it will be a completely different story. Unfortunately quality care needs higher staffing levels than the Trust (and ultimately the public purse) will pay.

[aldric]

I'd suggest talking this through with your tutor as you have some good questions here.

[erlf]

My placement mentor is seeking another job, so he isn't super motivated. I will get to learn a lot more about the patients when the psychiatrist do their weekly rounds. The only issue is that we have 4 students competing to go on them.
The spiritual lady is being reviewed by the psychiatrist as it turns out that she is also thinking that she may not be in the right place either :-) The chap with dementia is being found a new residential home and there is a funding panel being scheduled by his social worker. The wheels are in motion, but they seem to turn incredibly slowly.
As for paranoid guy he seems a lot calmer when I saw him on shift this evening.
I keep a log of my experiences, and I will be making an appointment to see my tutor to discuss at the end of the semester.
Overall I think I will be ok, but I know that I have a mountain of learning to get through.

[ehutch]

...and maybe, just maybe you are the breath of fresh air that the patients need at the moment. Sounds like you are doing an excellent job of supporting them and thinking of their needs. Well done! Just don't lose yourself in all of this. Look after your needs too - especially emotionally - you'll be no use to anyone if you crumble. If it's anything like teaching, you'll gain some professional distance over time, but it's tough to start - hang in there...

[erlf]

Thank you :-) You is very wise :-)

[alacerus]

Sounds like your doing the right thing mate, I used to work as a domestic regularly on the neurological diseases ward and just being chilled and listening to people goes a long way to making them feel top.

[erlf]

Cheers. That has helped to put my mind at rest :-)