How do the UK public regard our psychiatric nurses in terms of intelligence?

Answer 1

My sister is a psychiatric nurse. I think there are some clever nurses and some really stupid ones too! It's the same in many jobs.

Answer 2

As a psychiatric nurse I regard most as intelligent, you can do the current course at degree or masters level, I did the 2 year advanced diploma after doing a degree. There are some idiots in the profession like everwhere, but usually just lacking in common sense or sensitivity. I apologise for those. I have noticed your treatment varies from place to place and even ward to ward. I would not work on the ward next to mine as I find their staff unfriendly and bitchy. I know in a neighbouring town they are heavy on the use of seclusion and sedative or rapid tranq meds, where I work they are not and prefer to give nursing time and try to prevent situations before they start. As for being sectioned it is very rarely the persons wishes to be sectioned so it is an unpleasant experience from the start, and Im sure what ever illness the person has or is being assessed for does not help the person cope in the stressful situation, I am not aying it is there fault but that they will have a negative slant on the experience and not all people develop insight into the illness once they recover so may just remember the feelings of poor treatment. It may have been they were at a hospital which over medicates, I hope they are becoming more rare. As for the social workers comment I do not agree, the nurses role is to care not to jail, the ASW social workers currently get paid for the privalige of sectioning people with GPs and Psychiatrists so that nurses can remin in a neutral caring role where hopefully a therapuetic relationship is made, it is the nurses responsibility to advocate on the patients and relatives behalf when discussing situations with doctors and social workers, so yes we do 'hide behind the human right Act' cos someone has to!

Answer 3

Mental health nurses are generally intelligent. The training is tough and the nature of the job even tougher. In a recent poll nurses came out on top of teaches for academic ability. On the negative side many psychiatric nurses are cruel and uncaring and they lack the compassion and empathy required to do such a job. There is a strong element of control and patient choice rarely exits. The patients emotions are usually put down to their illness rather than just a normal reaction, to what is usually a very just situation. Emotion and issues are avoided at all costs and their primary aim is what I call A.T.D. Admit, treat and discharge. This is of course usually done with vast amounts of medications. I guess it prevents the tears and the sadness felt by many psychiatric patients, on a temporary basis.

Answer 4

I think it is too easy to judge all psychiatric nurses against the low standards of a few. Nursing is changing and evolving constantly, and the 'old guard' are rapidly being replaced with highly qualified professionals. All nurse training here in Northern Ireland (and I imagine, the rest of the UK) is both intensive and highly academic- my wife is at present on her third year of a nursing degree, and take it from me, you have to be intelligent to pass this course. both psychiatric and general nurses train to the same high standard. Nurses are taking over more and more of the Doctor's duties and are answerable for any unethical actions they may commit, they can no longer be viewed as the little girl in the ward who makes the beds. They are intelligent, well trained professionals, and should be treated as such.

Answer 5

I recently had the misfortune to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act and I can honestly say that the majority of mental health nurses I encountered were uncaring, cruel and more interested in sedating patients than trying to help. I am sure that many are of "normal" intelligence but I think the mental health system and the culture in mental hospitals turns many into uncaring, robotic monsters!!!!! I am still traumatised. PS I am writing a book of other people's experiences of the system.
If the general public realised what happens to people unfortunately detained in Mental Health Hospitals there would hopefully be an outcry.

Answer 6

As a visitor to someone in a mental hospital over the years, I found the nurses friendly and down-to-earth - they weren't academic types, but seemed smart and capable instead. It must take a certain personality to deal with mentally ill people on a daily basis - not a job for the anxious or very sensitive.

Answer 7

As a MH Social Worker I find a majority of them to be self absorbed power-mad control freaks with little or no regard for other professionals and hide behind the Human Rights Act rather than make a decision.

Answer 8

to develop right into a registered nurse you want a minimum of degree in larger education (nursing). This route is for sale at countless colleges and universities in the united kingdom. there is also an get entry to to nursing route that you may opt to finish beforehand you'd be seen for an section in case you haven't got the skills for the nursing route. attempt contacting community colleges for information. operating as a nursing assistant in the period in-between delivers you with large journey. reliable success

Answer 9

As the main therapeutic tool is self, its less about what academic prowess you hold rather than your ability to relate to and interact with clients. you could have all the knowledge available but if your not able to translate that into a form understandable and usable by the client you've got zip in the way of therapeutic ability

While i'm here in response to Booty's remark I feel that if you asked most Psych nurses their comment would be applied to SW's

Answer 10

All Depends. Psycho Nurses are 2 a penny