how to be a psychiatric nurse

Not much has changed,

It seems, in Psychiatric Nursing 

Since like the 1950s. 

It can be a real Snake Pit. 

What has changed, is that 

We’re moving away from 

Old Institutions- with indefinite stays. 

The stigma is being challenged. 

Psych Nurses wear street clothes 

Usually- I worked adolescent psych

When Kurt Cobain killed himself. 

I worked so much it was “crazy “!

In the Mid Century, Doctors 

Thought they had it right. 

All new treatments, medicines.  

But now, those things seem barbaric. 

Most of those first-generation 

drugs are now discontinued. 

John Nash, mathematician 

(A Beautiful Mind)

Is seen here receiving Insulin Shock. 

They inject large amounts of insulin, 

The patient goes into a coma,

And glucose is given to revive them. 

It’s often used with ETC

Electric Shock Therapy. 

The Frontal Labotomy  

is never used nowadays. 

Thank goodness. 

Wikipedia say this era represented 

“The moribund and demoralized 

psychiatric profession at the time.”

The Glory Days of the Sanatorium. 

What the hell did this ever accomplish?

My first “real job” was at Timberlawn

Psychiatric Hospital. Here in Dallas. 

Every summer until I was old

 enough to be a Nurse Aide. (18)

I worked in Medical Records 

I worked in a literal basement,

Re-jacketing the old charts from the 1800s

And early 1900s. Cool history. 

People want their loved ones home. 

Placement is falling out of favor. 

Except for short term stays 

And emergency situations. 

Lots of new drugs. 

Anti-depressants,

Anti-anxiety meds,

Anti-psychotics. 

Lots of side effects, most mild. 

It’s interesting to note that most

Psychotropic drugs are only

tested for a few weeks. Or months. 

Yet, many people stay on them for decades. 

Then, there is “Dual Diagnosis”

Which is a chemical addiction 

Coupled with a chronic psychiatric condition. 

The gentle idea is that people are 

Looking for a way to self-soothe. 

And they get into all kinds of drugs. 

And why not? If doctors can’t help,

People turn to anything that will. 

Regular Rehab is a good career option.

Lots of people just wanting to quit

And they don’t want to go Cold Turkey. 

Most people are there voluntarily. 

It’s definitely a reflection 

of how society is changing. 

Not too long ago, the DSM 2

(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual)

-The Bible for psych - 

Listed homosexuality as a mental disorder. 

The transgender community used that model

To destigmatize and decriminalize 

Their perspective. 


Trends come and go in psych. 

Multiple Personality Disorder, 

Personality Disorders, 

Schizophrenia,

BiPolar Disorder,

PTSD,

ADHD, OCD,

Suicidal Ideation,

Even Eating Disorders. 

Geri-Psych, Memory Care 

My heart goes here 

Because of the possibility of change. 

We’re poised to make a difference. 

Will this be the generation 

Who finally embraces change? 

Psych Nursing is real Team Nursing

You’ll never walk alone when you’re 

On a psych ward. Amen.