Tuesday, November 18, 2008

HI, my name is Mary, and I am an...um...silent observer??

Today was my last clinical rotation in Psych...*sigh*. I am really bummed b/c I have thoroughly enjoyed this rotation (all 2 days of it)!


I was actually able to interact with clients today and see milieu therapy at work. As I child I experienced a large amount of family counseling sessions, and I truly believe that talking things out in a group can be very therapeutic. I mean, don't we all have that one friend that we call to vent to & they talk us out of doing the stupid things....ok, maybe just me (thanks V!!). I enjoyed seeing the different dynamics of the group, and spending some one on one interaction with a client.


We were all a bit nervous about the one on one...but after I decided to go for it, I really think I had some great interaction, and even a teaching moment!! Woo hoo!! As a student, and especially in psych, we are definitely not confident in our knowledge base...and today I didn't give instructions on performing brain surgery, but simple facts about the basics of how the body works...and the client was receptive and appreciative....yea!!!


During one of the morning group sessions, it was mentioned that there was going to be an AA meeting in the afternoon...so I asked my instructor if I could attend, and some other students were interested as well. I got quite the reaction when confronted about if I consumed alcohol, and said I never had...but honestly, I am used to it. I explained that I had seen the effects of alcohol through other's trials and so I didn't want to take that risk...they all smiled and the meeting was great.

There are many avenues of psych medicine that scare me quite a bit...but at the same time, there is something about it that truly intrigues me, and is an area that I can't wait to explore more.

12 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I've done tons of groups, but I've never actually been to an AA meeting.

Jillene said...

Very cool!!

Mary said...

If you deal with people in AA, I would totally recommend attending a meeting...it was nice to see so many different perspectives, and that way you can offer insight when suggesting it to others.

I was also surprised at how well I knew the Lord's prayer, must have picked up it from my Dad!! I also frequently remember my mom getting mad and repeating, "God grant me the serenity, to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." She would get even more irritated when we would start saying it with her....sorry Mom!

Lorie said...

I am glad you enjoyed your rotation and hope you get a chance to work in the field again! It sounds like you could be good at it.

Jen said...

So is psych nursing what you want to do when you grow up?

Brittany Marie said...

Wow, sounds interesting!

Wendyburd1 said...

That is great that you are so open to it. Which aspects scare you?

Queenie Jeannie said...

You're doing great!!! I'm so happy that you have found your passion!

Live.Love.Eat said...

That's awesome that you're enjoying it!!!!!!!!!

Grandma Arnold said...

I am so very, very proud of you and your growth and development in life. Bravo!!!!

Mary said...

When I am finally a big grown up nurse, I would be very happy doing ER, OB, or Psych.

I think the reason why I enjoyed Psych so much, is b/c you actually have the time to use the therapeutic communication that they have been drilling into you...it is a much slower pace. I wouldn't mind do anything EXCEPT Medical/Surgical Nursing.

What scares me about Pysch is that the human mind is so complex, and that someone could seriously injure me, or even kill me. And having to deal with the suicide attempts, and successes. It could be very rewarding, but also depressing...but I think that comes with any field.

Wendyburd1 said...

That's why WE don't let my Mom work in Psych. Although if I was PUT in a place like that, I'd want nice nurses LIKE my Mom.