Clinical Reflection: Assimilation
This clinical was somewhat an unusual end to an unusual mental health rotation. After spending time in multiple mental health facilities, taking care of patients in different stages of the disease process, I hate to admit that I miss that hands-on, one-on-one patient interaction. This clinical day, however, was spent with very little to no patient interaction. In fact, majority of the time was spent observing and interacting with the forensic unit staff. In spite of not having to render therapeutic care, it was an interesting day of just observing how the unit function. In particular, comparing how the staff carry on their tasks and responsibilities as opposed to staff from other facilities. Although, the patient at this clinical facility does not require much health care intervention, they do not lack that individual attention. They were as attentive and accommodating to their patient’s needs.
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Some briefly came out, while others chose to stay tucked in bed. There were no scheduled events nor any other required activities, but the staff remained available to those patient that had needs. Moreover, the staff took the initiative, constantly checking on their patient, making sure that they are safe and comfortable. That was one thing that separate this facility from the others. It may have been because of the notoriety attached to being a patient in a forensic unit, or just doing it in our presence. Regardless, the quality of therapeutic care and the professionalism they display is enough for me to say that these mental health patients are in good hands. Notably, the level of attention that they provide exceeds those of the other facilities’ staff we encountered. Because of their dedication in providing for their patient’s needs, I will not be ashamed to someday call them my
As medical advances are being made, it makes the treating of diseases easier and easier. Mental hospitals have changed the way the treat a patient’s illness considerably compared to the hospital described in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Today’s clinical experience truly affected me in multiple ways. I went into this day with an open mind, and was pleased with the patients and the way I was able to conduct myself. This clinical affected me because throughout the day I felt that I experienced many emotions. A few times during my day I did have to fight back tears. I felt I had this emotion because some of the individuals expressed how they wanted to get better in order to get home to their families.
Until the middle of the last century, public mental health in the United States had been the responsibility, for the most part, of individual states, who chose to deal with their most profoundly mentally-ill by housing them safely and with almost total asylum in large state mental hospitals. Free of the stresses we all face in our lives, the mentally-ill faced much better prospects for peaceful lives and even recovery than they would in their conditions in ordinary society. In the hospitals, doctors were always accessible for help, patients were assured food and care, and they could be monitored to insure they never became a danger to themselves or others. Our nation’s state hospital system was a stable, efficient way to help improve the lives of our mentally disabled.
We all have our own perception of psychiatric hospitals. Some people may see them as a terrifying experience, and others may see them as a way to help people who cannot keep their disorders under control. David Rosenhan's perception led him to a variety of questions. How could psychiatric hospitals know if a patient was insane or not? What is like to be a patient there? According to Rosenhans study, psychiatric hospitals have no way of truly knowing what patients are insane or not; they quickly jump to labeling and depersonalizing their patients instead of spending time with them to observe their personality.
Because of this, there has been a terrifying increase of the need of mental health professionals over the past 70 years. The article states that “the majority of patients in therapy do not warrant a psychiatric diagnosis” meaning problems that used to be considered normal or easy to handle are now being approached by such professionals.
The field of clinical mental health is one of great reward, but also one of grave responsibility. It is the duty of the counselor to provide the client with a safe environment and an open mind, in order to foster a healthy therapeutic relationship. The majority of mental health counselors would never intentionally harm their clients; however; good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong will not occur. The ethical expectations and boundaries are regulated by both laws and professional codes. When discussing ethics, one must realize there are two categories, mandatory and aspirational. (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007)
Berger, Lisa and Alexander Vuckovic. Under Observation: Life Inside a Psychiatric Hospital. New York: Ticknor and Fields, 1994.
This article was written by several well educated professionals in the nursing field. The article appears in a peer reviewed nursing journal that covers topics in psychiatric and mental health nursing that has a 37-year history. The sources history, along with the use of various references from other professional sources establish the journal entries
In today’s society, the stigma around mental health has caused many people to fear seeking medical treatment for problems they are dealing with. With an abundance of hateful outlooks and stereotypical labels such as: crazy, psycho, and dangerous, it is clear that people with a mental illness have a genuine reason to avoid pursuing medical treatments. Along with mental health stigma, psychiatric facilities that patients with a mental health issue attend in order to receive treatment obtain an excessive amount of unfavorable stereotypes.
Stuart, G. W. (2009). Principles and Practice of Psychiatric Nursing (9th ed. pp 561). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
My experience in mental health clinical was very different from any other clinical I had before. In a mental health clinical setting, I am not only treating client’s mental illnesses, I am also treating their medical problems such as COPD, diabetes, chronic renal failure, etc. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the unexpected events. In this mental health clinical, I learned that the importance of checking on my clients and making sure that they are doing fine by performing a quick head-to toes assessment at the beginning of my shift. I had also learned that client’s mental health illness had a huge impact on their current medical illness.
This reflective essay will discuss three skills that I have leant and developed during my placement. The three skills that I will be discussing in this essay are bed-bath, observing a corpse being prepared for mortuary and putting canulla and taking it out. These skills will be discussed in this essay using (Gibb’s, 1988) model. I have chosen to use Gibb’s model because I find this model easier to use and understand to guide me through my reflection process. Moreover, this model will be useful in breaking the new skills that I have developed into a way that I can understand. This model will also enable me to turn my experiences into knowledge that I can refer to in the future when facing same or similar situations. Gibbs model seems to be straightforward compared to the other model which is why I have also chosen it. To abide by the code of conduct of Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) names of the real patients in this essay have been changed to respect the confidentiality.
Spring quarter’s clinical was by far the most rewarding experience I had as a nursing student. I was able to utilize the skills that I had learned in classrooms at a field setting, and being able to help another human being brought me comfort and joy. There has been an incidence where I lost focus during clinical and was self-absorbed in my troubles. I was not able to correctly perform what needed to be done, and often found myself bothered by miniscule things. I had to reflect back on my duty as a student/future registered nurse, and gathered my focus back to where I began, to learn and help.
I have learned so much while working at the state hospital. I have so many people with all types of mental illness from week to week each person with a different situation or illness. I work on the men’s unit of the hospital. This unit house 25 men and sometimes if it is an overflow the unit will borrow rooms from the other side, which is the women’s unit. I have had the pleasure of working with a total of 10 patients and each one came into the hospital with a different attitude about stay as well as their mental illness.
There should be a holistic approach to the treatment diagnosis and management of the people with mental illness. Such an approach should put into consideration the families of the people with mental illnesses and help them understand the issue. Once they understand, it is easier for them to welcome and help the individuals instead of sending them to institutions. To achieve prompt treatment, the mental health facilities and personnel need to be accessible and operate within the recommended standards.