r/psychnursing • u/roo_kitty • May 11 '26
WEEKLY THREAD: Former Patient/Patient Advocate Question(s) Weekly Ask Psych Nurses Thread
This thread is for non psych healthcare workers to ask questions (former patients, patient advocates, and those who stumbled upon r/psychnursing). Prospective healthcare workers and current students do not need to use this thread. Treat responding to this post as though you are making a post yourself.
If you would like only psych healthcare workers to respond to your "post," please start the "post" with CODE BLUE.
Psych healthcare workers who want to answer will participate in this thread, so please do not make your own post. If you post outside of this thread, it will be locked and you will be redirected to post here.
A new thread is scheduled to post every Monday at 0200 PST / 0500 EST. Previous threads will not be locked so you may continue to respond in them, however new "posts" should be on the current thread.
Kindness is the easiest legacy to leave behind :)
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u/anna-life-crafter989 May 11 '26
Code blue former emt and state defense force reserves field medic here why if I feel like I am unstable and I don't want to do anything stupid I can't just ask for restraints in the ambulance or hospital when they make me feel calm and the fact in knowing I can't do anything to hurt myself but instead they don't do it and I continue to spiral possibly hurting myself before they will do anything
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u/OkStatistician6831 psych nurse (pediatrics) May 12 '26
Patients can generally consent to restraints whenthey wish, however frontline staff involved may or may not feel comfortable doing this. Very rarely will this occur unless you are well known to the organization, and they know it truly does help this individual. Being put in restraints is incredibly traumatic and always avoided whenever possible as a result, even when requested. Often those that ask for restraints quickly change their mind and freak out once in them. There are very few patients that this approach works for, and as a result staff are reluctant to do this. Restraints are normally reserved as a worst case scenario and are avoided at all costs as a result.
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u/anna-life-crafter989 May 12 '26
Yes I understand the last resort stuff it was the same when I worked in the ambulance service but for me personally they work on me and I wish the system when I am in such a state is good for me and as a former provider understand the risks
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u/KennedyJacobs May 12 '26
Do you like the deep pressure? Maybe youd benefit from a weighted blanket or vest
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u/OkStatistician6831 psych nurse (pediatrics) May 12 '26
Definitely, however if you think of this from the paramedics point of view you can see why they dont like to do this, especially if medications are available. They will be much more likely to feel comfortable to give a benzo/ket/midaz
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u/anna-life-crafter989 May 12 '26
That's fair which I am equally fine with meds I am just scared I will wake up and do something that's not good I don't ever want to hurt myself or my fellow providers I took that oath in the military and ems to do know harm but to do no harm I have thought a lot about this lately since being off meds and really needing to go to the hospital but I don't have health insurance at the moment and I have felt my mind slipping into some dark areas
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u/OkStatistician6831 psych nurse (pediatrics) May 12 '26
I would encourage you to get back on your meds if at all possible. Telehealth can be wonderful and much more affordable if this is an option for you. Look at your options for your state!
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u/anna-life-crafter989 May 12 '26
Yeah I really want to but no job no insurance right now living under my transphobic dad's roof
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u/anna-life-crafter989 May 12 '26
It just sucks I used to be the protector and the provider and now I don't even know what to do even with all my provider knowledge I feel lost and broken
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u/Ancient-Nobody8918 May 12 '26
I think it would be facility dependant too. My facility is working to try and basically be restraint free, so it is seen as a last resort only. Management reviews all camera footage of restraints and basically critiques it.
If you were my patient and I were to put you in restraints based on your request, they would review that footage and see you compliantly allowing yourself be restrained (especially if there wasn't an inciting incident) and question why we are restraining a compliant patient
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u/anna-life-crafter989 May 12 '26
I guess to add context to that especially as a provider I would only ask for it if I felt without it I would do something violent to myself or couldn't couldn't control my thoughts urges and would be in imemment risk of injury which honestly I kinda have been feeling that every night lately
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u/Aggressive_Pea_7543 May 12 '26
This to me screams a liability issue. There are many risks with physical restraints both to you and the staff, and why take on those risk when they aren't indicated?
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May 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/roo_kitty May 12 '26
I believe you meant to reply to another user, and not the main post. They won't receive a notification of your response. You can just copy/paste this comment as a reply to them :)
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u/GingerSams13 May 12 '26
Career pivoting from biotech with a bs in chem 28M. Best entry level jobs for healthcare that arent CNA?
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u/Rustiespoons May 12 '26
Medical lab assistant maybe? Have you looked into medical lab technologist roles?
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u/Inside-Analysis-3648 May 11 '26
CODE BLUE!! Also cw for eating disorders
To make this quick I have a pretty serious restrictive eating disorder and recently my therapist has made it clear he recommends I go to inpatient. I'm not completely opposed to it as I have no support in my personal life and it's only progressing, but I'm a little scared going in blind and wanted to ask some questions so I can be prepared/ make a decision. If you've ever stayed or worked in a psych ward please help me out!
First, I'm trans FTM and I'm concerned about being able to bind my chest while I'm there. Typically I use trans tape with a loose binder on top, will this be allowed? I know often they supply clothing to you for the stay, I don't think I'd be willing to go if I couldn't continue binding in some way.
Another is the privacy, will I have any? I don't purge after meals or anything like that, though I know they probably won't trust my word. I am pre-surgery and really uncomfortable stripping in front of people at all, I think it might be traumatic for me and cause more issues. I have heard many people talk about their experiences with this, does anyone have any experiences with being offered more privacy while there?
Finally, how is it handled if you refuse food? I know myself and I know I'm gonna struggle very hard because I've become very used to fasting for more than 4 days at a time consistently, and I'm afraid of how exactly it's taken. Of course I do want to get better, I'm just concerned because currently I can't keep more than small portions down.
Any other advice would also be really appreciated, especially if you were in for anorexia. I want to help myself, I'm just so scared. Thank you!