Real-Life Communication
The cornerstone of psychiatric nursing is communication, says RPN
Rudy Young. "The ability to communicate effectively with the client, other
nurses, the psychiatrist and other health professionals is the most fundamental
skill of psychiatric nursing." This includes listening as well as talking.
Excellent
written and oral communication skills are a must in health care, explains
Young. Psychiatrists rely heavily on the RPNs to observe patients and clearly
chart what they see.
What is not thought about as often, but is frequently
a job of a psychiatric nurse, is communicating to other nurses about new rules,
assessments, patient updates, shift changes, continuing education programs
and community programs.
Karen McSwain works primarily as a nurse educator.
In this position, she supervises, trains and consults with nurses. "A fair
percentage of my job is designing programs, policies and forms, problem solving,
and networking throughout the hospital, the city and the country. My job is
to be always learning," she explains.
You have just found out that
next month is Alcohol Awareness Month. You need to explain to the other nurses
on the ward what this is, what you have planned and what is expected of them.
You've
invited Dr. Joe Spellini of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(NIAAA) to give a workshop, sponsored by the American Academy
of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Medical Association.
You know
that alcoholism is characterized by craving, loss of control, physical dependence
and tolerance. Alcohol abuse can result in problems like failing to carry
out major responsibilities and drinking in situations that are physically
dangerous, among other things.
Write a memo outlining the information
about the workshop and a refresher about alcoholism.