Ursula

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@melissa5000818 @MHR5000818 @upeksha5000818 I guess there are so many differences really. Experience in multiple settings would surely be invaluable for gaining a better understanding of what MH nursing involves– not so possible with this type of placement though, due to the time required to develop rapport with consumers!

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@clark_5000818 @Jemma5000818 @MHR5000818 That's so good to hear @clark_5000818 ! Nice to hear also the impact of building a good rapport with clients, and how this can help facilitate a safe environment/experience for them, with vulnerable moments like depot administration. Well done! 😊👏

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@mikhala5000818 @MHR5000818 (2/2) I didn't know all of the details, but I wonder if this delay in providing a planned debrief was a one-off event, or if it can often be hard to organise these things due to other work demands/ daily events, etc– not just in my ward, but in MH in general.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@mikhala5000818 @MHR5000818 (1/2) Sorry to hear @mikhala5000818 that sounds distressing. There was an incident on my ward the week before we began placement & I noticed they were still trying to organise staff debrief 2 wks later, at which point the nurse in charge decided it was too late & cancelled it.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@melissa5000818 @MHR5000818 Just wondering what were, if any, the standout differences you noticed? @melissa5000818 @upeksha5000818

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Nilani5000818 @MHR5000818 I couldn't agree more, Nilani. I've strengthened communication and relationship-building skills from this placement that are going to be so valuable in nursing (whether MH or not) and in life! 😊

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Jemma5000818 @MHR5000818 So good! Thanks Amanda too 👏👏👏 Didn't think about lying prone and Hx of trauma also– and sometimes not knowing this Hx– definitely something to be aware of in future.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Alli5000818 @Merry5000818 @MHR5000818 @Merry5000818 definitely sounds challenging for your ward... seems worth pursuing though if consumers feel they benefit? I know in our unit the Mutual Help meetings gave consumers a voice– they felt they could raise issues concerning everyone in a place where they would be heard.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Alli5000818 @Merry5000818 @MHR5000818 That's great to hear @Alli5000818 ! We had the 'get to know you' profiles on a wall in the communal area, and would take one down to do a sort of "guess who?" in the Mutual Help meetings.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Erika5000818 @lobster5000818 @Merry5000818 @annie5000818 @Lozmeow5000818 @MHR5000818 Completely agree too! It was really great working alongside OTs and social workers and seeing how they are involved in pt care- facilitating music therapy & various other groups, helping a pt renew their driver's licence, another apply for a WWCC, etc.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Jemma5000818 @MHR5000818 Well done @Jemma5000818 , what amazing timing!! Was this a new patient to the unit or had they been reassessed as lower risk?

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Jess_5000818 @Bec5000818 @MHR5000818 I was lucky to attend a meditation group run by one of the social workers on my ward. I was surprised at the patients who attended the group too- not the ones I would have expected! So great to see these things being offered alongside other therapies.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Charmi5000818 @MHR5000818 @Charmi5000818 do you know what their reasons were for saying this- was it from their own experience with consumers and learning about their past history?

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Merry5000818 @MHR5000818 I noticed that the SafeWards model was appreciated by patients but less so by staff, as in my ward there was a change in staff since the initial training and roll out of the program- for its success, staff need to be consistent & adequately trained. What have you noticed?

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Jessica5000818 @MHR5000818 Also observing strong therapeutic relationships between nurse and patient, some which are quite longterm, has been very rewarding. I agree @shail5000818, placement has helped me see the bigger picture of nursing, and where MH nursing fits into the holistic health care of others.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Jyoti_5000818 @Kritina5000818 @MHR5000818 I had no idea of the importance of a support network until sitting in on an interview between a patient and psychiatrist. This patient was seemingly ok to be discharged, but without an adequate support network in the community it was clear that discharge wasn't going to happen.

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@Lauren_5000818 @MHR5000818 Having no experience with ECT this article helped make this seemingly mysterious treatment a lot more tangible! Amazing the impact that media (Cuckoo's Nest) can have on MH treatment. Wondering if you have observed positive or negative consumer perspectives of ECT on placement?

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@annie5000818 @MHR5000818 You are not the only one, Annie! I have been finding it ok communicating with patients however I am SO aware that I have to be careful not to say anything I shouldn't, that I think this makes the conversation a bit disjointed sometimes! We will get used to it eventually :)

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@eloise5000818 Hey Eloise, I observed a "get to know each other" chat between one patient and the psychiatrist. It was actually incredible watching his active listening skills and how he handled and directed the conversation, especially when the patient was becoming defensive & defiant. Inspo!

[Ursula @ursula5000818]

@nilmini_5000818 @MHR5000818 Yes! There are some strong friendships on my ward, which, from what I can see, can be supportive and helpful at times, but also detrimental at others. The nurses keep a close eye on who is spending time with who. What have you noticed in terms of engagement and communication?