One of my favorite interviews to date. Ramon is an amazing psych nurse. Please download and review on Spotify/Apple and share your feedback! It means a lot.
The parallels between Operating and Navigating and Thriving as a psych charge nurse, and ONT in retail, kitchens, and construction are absurd... it is truly absurd how critically lacking we are in mental healthcare. As a human who is absolutely among the dozens of thousands, riding the unicycle on a tightrope over the canyon that is "managing less than ideal mental health without the means to get professional help," thank you both for this interview. Just feeling heard and validated even hits through a video, on some level. We all just want so badly to belong, wherever we are. We desperately need more mental healthcare workers like you in the world. Thank you so much for being here💚
I have a serious question that local Dr's will not answer. Why should people donate organs, the Dr's, hospital and pharmaceutical companies make lot's of money and the family gets a massive bill. I'm starting to believe it just a scam.
As a person who has been in and out of psych ward thank you for this. It's good to hear about it from the other side of this. I have had good nurse experiences and bad ones. The first night I spent in the psych ward I was in Newfoundland and the nurse just sat with me in my room until I fell asleep just so I wouldn't feel so alone. It showed true kindness and I will always be grateful to that nurse.
Also about not wanting to take meds. Getting on the right meds is a nightmare. Antipsychotics can make you have random muscle movements and some meds can actually make symptoms worse. I was prescribed trazodone and it sent me into a full blown psychosis. So it's not black and white why people don't like the meds.
Trazodone is generally prescribed as a sleep medication. It does not always fit for every one. Just tell the doctor that you do not want trazodone, They can prescribe for you Seroquel, Remeron, or a number of other medications to aide in sleep hygiene. @@jennifermorgan1920
@@jennifermorgan1920had the same problem, trazodone is such a common medicine, but for me it would do nothing. In spite of that, doctors tried to prescribe me that many times. Or the muscle twitching, after antidepressants, i’m now on a cocktail of medicine to get rid of my symptoms and twitching.
I am a nurse. I was in a devastating marriage to a deeply damaged man and had to go to a psych ward to be safe. I was treated kindly until I got my assigned nurse. Some people do not do the self care they need to do, to do this job. I still learned a lot. I was determined to do that. 25 years later, that night ended up being a gift. I hope the woman who failed me utterly got the help SHE needed. We are all one. Thank you for doing your job well, and doing the self-care needed to sustain your standards of care and compassionate professionalism to a high level. ❤
I had a boyfriend who worked psych tech at a hospital here in northern cali. He worked with young men and during the day this particular group of boys were taken out to the mountains for some kind of enrichment. Along the way they found a small moose horn and were allowed to bring it back to the ward. They used the horn as a weapon to bludgeon their tech nearly to death, stole his keys and went out for a joy ride... That was my boyfriends last day. I worked which children who were severely disabled and it was very interesting to use different things to elicit smiles or the slightest response. I was assigned to work one on one with a young girl who had been home raised with little stimulation and my job was to take her all around the grounds and expose her to everything from an ice cream cone to the feel of a flower on her cheek.. My most touching moment was when I caught her looking at me through a mirror.. she held my eyes for a few seconds and then it was back to her usual way. Working with the children was wonderfully rewarding although of course there was a lot of sadness to watch these children grow without growing up
I did an internship on an inpatient psych unit when I was in nursing school (20 years ago). We had our own little section in the ER, and I was working there one night. The police brought in a woman with altered mental status. The ED refused to even triage, no vitals, just directed police to bring her to us. The officer told me he didn't think she was mentally ill, that she felt very hot and he was concerned but that the ED wouldn't take her. Her temp was over 104, her pulse was rapid and her blood pressure was low. My preceptor suspected sepsis. The doc on the medical side was too busy to talk to us, so the psychiatrist on call ordered labs and a CT. Lady had a tooth abscess that had gone into her brain. She lived thankfully and was not disabled from it. I still teach my baby nurses and NP students (I'm an NP now) to always look at the basics first. And the very basic 1st step is always vital signs. A lot of time was wasted fly that last begat the ED couldn't just do a set of vital signs before dismissing her as psych.
Definitely! The first thing we tested on females with altered mental status was for a UTI, it’s amazing and scary how an untreated UTI can affect a person’!
I've been in and out of psych hospitals aince I was a teenagers, and the nurses there are some of the greatest nurses I've ever had the pleasure to be treated by. Thank you for everything you do.
This is one of the best I’ve heard. I’ve been admitted to psych floors twice. The first was a horrible experience. The most recent I had nurses and techs and mental health workers like Ramon and it was a far better experience. Thank you for your kindness. ❤
What an amazing and loving woman and badass nurse. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication Eugina. You make the world a better place for all of us!
Oh man, I worked as a psych nurse for a decade in the locked wards of a state psych hospital, we of course had the worst of the worst patients because the state hospital is the last stop for patients that can’t be housed/treated elsewhere. I should have written a book, SO many wild and crazy stories! People would never believe some of the stories. Sometimes I really miss it. I definitely miss my old team, my coworkers. I really do wonder where some of my old patients are now, especially the chronic ones. The hospital I worked at was around 100yo and had so much history, and yes definitely ghost stories!!
This was a very interesting interview. I am a Behavioral Health Nurse in an inpatient setting, and have been since 2009. I feel like most days I learn something new, and every time I think I’ve seen it all, I see something new! But I love my job and coworkers ♥️
worked 30 years with the developmental disabilities 20 years in state facility for duel dignosis....... got first job because of my combat vet status ........god gave me 10 years training for my sons autism gignoses ........ fact is we have the best stories
Thankful for you, Ramon! I am nearing my 20 year anniversary working with adults with disabilities. We are blessed to work jobs that we love, where we get to support people and learn new things every day. Kudos to you for doing the proper self care to keep up with the stress of your work and keep you sense of humor. That particular type of humor, often not well understood by those not working hands on with people is a real sanity saver. ❤
I have a long and extensive psych medical record (luckily no involuntarily admittance or really any true inpatient experience; the local one is not great and that was just the adolescent building. Seeing the perspective of an actually competent and compassionate psych nurse makes me a lot less nervous for the day it actually happens. Ive considered doing it so many times and it would have saved me so much pain to go inpatient especially during my annual psychotic episode (i am heavily medicated so my treatment is fine... Most of the time. For some reason i have a mixed psychotic episode every year. I wish i could go inpatient without being terrified of coming out worse than i came in..makes me even more excited to move to a large city.
A bf of mine is an rn on a psych ward at a va hospital-- I don't know how she does it, as all day long she feels like either of these: a dazed bobblehead doll listening to a disturbed persons nightmares, or looking down, shaking her head when she sees the same people over and over again, and the treatment to offer is the same as before. It's depressing-- especially since many don't or can't manage care, meds, etc. on their own. Any nurse who lasts in this environment is a Super Hero!
I know this is a really old post, but a big part of the problem was when they closed down all of the state hospitals and there was nowhere for those patients to go. My dad is a retired program director for the northern Michigan region’s community mental health (so basically, the state-funded mental health program) and he talks about how absolutely devastating that was for so many of those patients-many of whom had been institutionalized since they were young children-they simply didn’t know how to live independently and now, here they were, in many cases with no resources and no one to be on them all the time to help them manage their meds and their appointments. These are the people who you often see as the frequent flyers in the psych hospitals. Now, your friend’s (girlfriend? I’m sorry, I was confused because you said bf but then used female pronouns-I’m not trying to be rude at all-I assume you meant best friend, but please correct me if I’m wrong) case is different, being she is working in a VA hospital. There is an absolute need for these longer-term institutions like the state hospitals that were shut down decades ago. Obviously, we would need them to be revamped and require much better care for the patients but there simply are not enough facilities capable of handling high risk patients who can’t properly manage their meds and life in general. I am a counselor who jumps between doing women’s intensive substance abuse and co-occurring disorders outpatient treatment and domestic violence prevention working with perpetrators. I have had several women who I’ve genuinely wished I could have referred out to a longterm psych facility. I live in San Francisco Bay Area and there is one hospital (Cordilleras) but it closed for a while and I think it may have reopened but with the mental health crises going on here, it is an absolute necessity. We have so many clients who have severe schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who can’t get clean, are using meth because they’re convinced it “helps” with the voices (spoiler alert: it doesn’t), and are homeless. Being able to get stabilized on their antipsychotic medication and bipolar medication (for those schizoaffective) in a MH facility would be the #1 treatment goal. The residential treatment facilities here won’t take women with severe mental health disorders. So, what are they to do? We do the best we can but at the end of the day, they end up leaving and going back into their environment.
The parallels between operating and navigating and thriving as a psych charge nurse, and ONT in retail, kitchens, and construction are absurd... it is truly absurd how critically lacking we are in mental healthcare. As a human who is absolutely among the dozens of thousands, riding the unicycle on a tightrope over the canyon that is poor mental health, thank you both for this interview. Feeling heard and validated even hits through a video, on some level. We all just want so badly to belong, wherever we are. Thank you so much for being here💚
If I ever ended up in the psych unit i would want him to be around. Idk why but he seems very kind, calm, and has a very soothing voice. A perfect combination that the psych unit needs. Someone who is easy to listen to and has the wisdom to a point you can tell you need to listen.
I’ve been in and out of psych wards since I was 12. It’s always been a harrowing experience and I’ve always been treated like a really dumb infant. I’m turning 35 this year but I will 100 make sure I don’t miss my shot before setting foot in one of those places ever again. This man seems really nice, so I’m sure he gets to help a lot of people.
working as a medication nurse on an acute locked psych ward...medications will help break a cycle they are in...I have actually had patients thanked me for helping them by giving them medication....and asking them if they need some medication....left that ward when I felt I was too old to take another hit....bless these patients....
Ramon reminds me of the psychiatric ER nurse I knew; both seem calm and gentle, which apparently is really useful to be able to calm down distressed people. Usually he could get upset people to cooperate with him by showing them extreme respect and also using humor to get them to relax by laughing. There were times where people on drugs could not be calmed and had to be restrained, but that is a fraction of the time. He could tell great stories, which also helps to relax people, especially when his stories are humble and poking fun at himself. By making himself seem among the least threatening people, he could get people to do what he wanted as a reciprocal curtesy. However, my psych nurse housemate did know some martial arts and wrestling holds that could drop a combatant to the floor or a bed very quickly if he had to do so to protect himself or others, and he would have a strong tranquilizer ready to inject such a combative person, though he was always careful to not telegraph his intent, so he would have the element of surprise on his side.
I had a serious mental health collapse about two years ago and spent 8 months in various facilities, including two stints (10 days and 12 days) in a level 1 psych ward. Everything wasn't perfect, but the staff was kind and helped me recover and actually heal. Wouldn't be here without them. Thanks for all you (both) do.
I worked on a Med/Surg/telemetry unit in a well known hospital. Most of my patients are on ventilator and we have a neg pressure room for suspected TB pts to be isolated. I wasn't used to working with pysch pts until one rolled in needed to be isolated and he wasn't taking his pysch Rxs for schizophrenia. Lawd have mercy, that pt was a learning experience for my 3/12s. Years later,I ended up being my late dad caregiver after he was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer's and his sundowning was very violent. Here's the kick in my ass,my dad was diagnosed by his treating Dr 3 years earlier after his 1st TIA that his scans/tests were showing Dementia/Alzheimer's but bcz my dad was still "okay" by his treating physician ,my dad refused to allow him to sit down and tell my mom and I what was going on. We found out by the ER Dr 3 yrs later his Dementia diagnosis when we were in the ER bcz we thought he was having another stroke.
Here in NC, we have Psych RNs in some EDs. I am one of those although not anymore LOL. In Charlotte, we also have a designated Psych ED. Thank you for your insights. I’m always happy when Psych gets some credit!
I have beern in an adolescent Osychiatric unit and a adult Psychiatric unit. I must say that both of The Times that I have been in these places. I needed to be there and I got to help. I needed but some staff can be rude. Thank you for being one of those cool, amazing staff members. That treats patients as humans rather than Inmates
Here in Florida, our acute wards are mixed in with people who are kept there longer. The only long term care available (not private) has only 30 beds with about a 6 mos wait to get in. We go up to 27 beds (all double rooms) , they are not allowed to use the day room at night, which I don't really understand, I get that we need to encourage sleep but not every one sleeps at night. I feel we could avoid a lot of behavioral problems if they were just allowed to watch television or read in the day room, even talk and socialize with others that cannot sleep. Many of our patients wake up around 5 am and are very unhappy that there is nothing to do. Many times all they want to do is congregate around the nurses station and disturb us while we are trying to get our work done. Btw- here I would like to mention how much paper work we are tasked to do , most of it is useless. It is paper work of just in case we are ever investigated, I really don't know who reads this stuff. Handwritten paper work I might add. Here in Florida, people are baker acted, and I cannot tell you how many times we receive people from the hospital who are drunk and intoxicated claiming suicidal ideation. I know that it is against the law to baker act someone who is intoxicated or hight, but they do it anyway. We also get people who are unable to self care (against policy) but they do it anyway. We also get people with dementia who are sundowning, and their families just need a break, so they lie and state that the person is a danger to themselves and others (which is true) but not psych ward material. Oh, I could go on and on. LOL. I love psych nursing though, I love the patients and the challenges.
Great episode. I worked after hours for a health insurance company. One of the psych patients found out there was an afterhours service and called several times a week. Most of the time she just called to talk but she'd sometimes have 911 called for her. I'm not a medical professional, so I refused to speak with her. As a non-professional how would I know if she just wanted to talk or if she was in danger. I always transferred her to the nurse on duty. The patient always asked if I knew who she was, she'd call in so often I did recognize her voice without her telling me. She knew who I was because I was the only person who wouldn't speak with her. The other non-medical people had no issues speaking with her. One day she asked me why I wouldn't talk to her; I advised her that it was for her safety. I didn't have the ability to provide the help she needed. It was the truth.
This is a great video to show psych wards from a staff member's point of view. I always wanted to work ED, but after a recent psych ward visit, I think I want to work acute psychiatric care, at least for a little bit as I get my education. I still don't know what I want to do after my bachelor's, but the way I was treated in the facility made a significant impact on me. The techs that made the biggest impact on me were the ones that had been in my shoes. I've gotten pretty good at hiding my emotions and thoughts, even from myself. The techs that had been in my position could read my mind. They knew what I needed because they had been there. The other techs had the heart and the compassion, but they couldn't mind read like the others could. In some ways that was good, because it taught me to articulate my feelings, but sometimes I couldn't articulate my emotions and I needed someone to be able to tell what I needed. If I can do that for someone else, I would love to. I know it has to be stressful. I overheard a tech one morning talking to another and she said "my anxiety is really bad this morning. I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack, but I feel like I can't have anxiety or express it because I work here." I wanted to hug her or say something to her, but I couldn't because I was "asleep." It has to be stressful trying to treat people who have the same medical conditions you do, knowing that you could be a patient in a week. Since I slept right next to the tech table, I got to see a side of them the other patients didn't get to see. I got to see their compassionate side. I got a chance to talk to them and some of the most raw and impactful conversations occured after everyone else was in bed. After expressing my concerns that I wasnt improving (I was discharging in 3 days), I had a tech tell me something along the lines of: "Depression is a lifelong condition. You are going to have this for the rest of your life. It's never going away. You have to find a reason to keep fighting." She was right. I've been out for a month. I'm not better. My physical symptoms of depression are a little better, but the mental aspect (I think youtube would censor me. It's a two word phrase that is often shortened to SI) is the same. I've found my reason though. I want to help people. I can't do that if I'm not here. I absolutely doubt that any of the techs that treated me are reading this, but I've shared enough information that if they are, they know who I am. To the techs that took the time to sit next to me and talk to me, the ones that let me escape into the hallway and decompress, the ones that let me cry at night and didn't try to convince the nurses to give me Ambien, the one who tucked me into bed when I was inconsolable, and the one who walked with me to be discharged because I didn't think I was ready, thank you. Your compassion means more than words can express. Your compassion is the reason I'm still here. Thank you.
my mother worked briefly at Pennhurst mental hospital many years later i got my first job after military/contract careing for a group home set up for pennhurst surviours those clients did as much to treat my ptsd as i did them i think
This was so great! Love watching your videos. I am a caregiver of elderly parents, kids with health issues and me- I live in ERs and so so many Dr appointments- am I allowed to press 1 as a healthcare provider?? Thanks for the humor. I realize some of our worst days have been on a regular day of work for all of you. Either way- thanks for the laughs!!!
I have an advanced degree in natural science. During my schooling we barely scratched the surface of human behavior. So in este I'm on the learning channel so to speak on the afore mentioned subject. Since tuning into ur channel I've learned invaluable info which has aided me in my endeavor to understand human behavior. I have a friend who is severely bipolar I will inform the person about the option of county psych unit. Thanks much!
Loved this interview. I’m a nursing student and LOVED my psych rotation. It’s an underserved population that deserves nurses like Ramon. Really appreciated the insight from a seasoned nurse.
I have GAD and thought about going to the ER to get help and med adjustment fast. I worried about who I would get. However, after seeing Ramone, I dont worry as much anymore.
Shoutout to all the County Mental Health Services in CA! Great interview with Ramon whose perspective on mental health treatment is right on. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and music therapist. I am now retired but worked 33 years for a large county in Northern California. Ramon has the passion, compassion and sense of humor that is needed for this special population. Most people are not able to cope with the special demands of this type of job. I worked both inpatient and outpatient departments, utilizing music therapy with patients for many years and as a manager when I got my social work degree. Kindness is essential. I knew some of our patients the entire 33 years. There is a lot of staff turnover in the mental health field. So I always felt that the hope I could give to our patients was important since they didn’t know anyone else that long. Trust is such a huge issue for anyone experiencing a thought or mood disorder. Thanks, Steve, for sharing this enlightening interview. Your skits and podcasts are simply awesome. 👍🏼👏🏼
Good psych nurses like him are the reason I got my bipolar diagnosis and the help I needed (starting at 30... better late than never). I really enjoyed watching this interview and really appreciate the work people like Ramon do. And I agree with you guys... never be afraid of the meds. Bad side effects just mean you need to try a different one, right?
As an ER employee I second that there is a disconnect. However the intake nurse is one of my good friends. She understands more than me and I let her lead when it comes to taking care of the psych patients. I appreciate Ramon’s honesty and hard work all these years. He’s definitely one in a million and an awesome nurse! Thanks Ramon!!❤
as a C.N.A psych is the best, everyday something different. you see milestones a patient overcomes and the setbacks ,it's an experience and most fulfilling than any LTC care of the elderly though some are elderly in psych. you learn things about yourself through psych patients.
Thank you for this. There are so many misconceptions about working in mental health, like some folks think there's a 'magic pill' you can give a patient that will 'fix' them. As a psych nurse, I prefer working at a psychiatric hospital rather than a psych floor in a general medical center. Non-psych people don't understand what it's like. If a patient refuses a procedure due to paranoia, I'm told "Just tell'em...." whatever.
I’m a licensed graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in a psych unit at a major hospital and 72 hour holds are decently common and they do NOT go on someone’s public record. At least in MN they don’t. There are different kinds of holds though. An apprehend and hold order is different. That is on a public record and is used for EMS to bring someone to the hospital to address their mental health. There’s also a district court hold to keep people in the hospital until they address their mental health or go through the commitment process. Edit: I have been in a psych unit before myself. I feel it makes me more empathetic to what people might be going through while in one.
Finally some honesty.. entitled behaviour and ignorance, I know everything.. we are NOT entitled to! It’s interesting watching this from Australia 🇦🇺 it’s happening everywhere.. we just have to hang in there, stay safe, stay strong and stay together 😜as healthcare workers ❤
In the hospital, I worked they had eight psych units 24 bed in each unit and I did mood disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar, a little schizophrenia, let me tell you when they floated me to the he detox to unit. I have never seen anything like that in my life. They’re the ones that you have to be worried about
Here in Richmond, Virginia we have designated psych intake areas too, so you don’t do any paperwork going into the ER. They send you to another intake room and that room is on lockdown you do get searched and put into a down before you go in that room and you usually agree to get sent to any site in the state before you go in there, and these are people who are self admitting. The intake area is not just one room. It’s four rooms big giant heavy plastic benches like you would see on the psych unit a small nursing station and then the antique area which is like with curtains where people eat their belongings and change into a account before they enter it.
my friend from high school in Santa Clara, Ca, her dad was some type of director at Agnew State Mental Hospital before it was closed. They lived on the grounds, it was a huge place, i remember we went to a dance one time with the mentally ill, we had fun.
The reference about tourists in San Francisco taking photos of attractions the city has to offer & the thought that they actually take photos of homeless people in their horrific condition truly makes me contemplate who are the ones that need mental health help.
We had one lady come in as a psych patient who was belligerent and just swearing at us. Then she got her meds and a switch flipped. She was sweet and just wanted to go home but it was nighttime and the doctor wanted her to be evaluated. The only problem was the psychiatrist wouldn't be in until morning. The nursing staff didn't think she needed anything more than to stay on her meds but we had to follow the doctor's orders. Since we started tele-pysch, we have been discharging psych patients much faster. We still have some there for days, but we can clear the beds of the stable ones within hours.
Moved from California to East Coast and am thinking that Philly’s Kensington area is how Civic Center sounds now. I’m as sad as everyone else. We need to get the mufukin drugs n check. What can we do? Help!
Ramon, thank you for helping so many people throughout your career up to this point. You are truly doing God‘s work. I know you weren’t looking for praise, but I hope very good things happen to you in the future.
The US needs to bring back psychiatric hospitals, where that's all they do - those are the only type of patients they admit, and what they specialize in. It's so needed, now more than ever. 😢
i did a lot of cross training L&D/OB-GYN, MED/SURG, SPINAL CORD, PSYCH/CHEM DEPENDENCY etc..., our hospital was large, but the patient census would go up and down, and drop, thus i would be cancelled for the day, so i signed up for a temp agency registry to get more hours, i worked psych the last night before it closed at san mateo county hospital ,built in the 1920's, this was in the late 1990's it closed, they had built a new hospital___it was so weird to be in a hospital, the night before it closed forever.___there were construction workers there taking down the antique light fixtures etc.... i remember everything was painted a light pink
I have a true story for you. I had extremely obese pt that had a track. She was on a passy mur (sp) to start weaning off the vent. She was trying to get something and her breast fell over her trach and occluded it. Coded brought back with severe hypoxic brain injury. A good bra could have saved her life
LA (the valley) is my old stomping grounds. I'm in oklahoma now last 2 years. Going into LPN school in 2 weeks at 66 years of age. Then will take the rn bridge. I think I'd be good n with psyc patients. Lots of experience with addicts.
Here in Balkan is a different story. I've been to psych ward for three months. Nurses treated us like sh*t and never meet our needs because we are "just the crazy ones". Doctors were better, but they weren't available at most times. There was a patient with dementia, nurses were yelling at her and used to tie her a lot and she woul cry all night long. She wasn't dangerous or anything, she was just confused. I still remember her crying and my heart breaks. I was there for suicidal thoughts and I said next time I will rather unalive myself than go back there. They didn't help me at all, they were just keeping me there.
My heart is pounding inside my chest. I have had 3 different friends now come to me saying that they are having suicidal thoughts/feelings. All at different levels. One of those friends even tried to end there life, and went to a psychic hospital. She moved away after that experience to where I am. Then, she moved back to that place that made her suicidal. I have no contact with her, and I frankly don't know if she is dead or alive right now! My other two friends both go to my school. I know both of them don't have the best family situations, and I feel bad. And I'm glad that they come to me and that they know they can talk to me. But eventually, when it gets to 3 and probably more, everyone is looking to you for guidance and answers. You start to feel helpless too and like your carrying everyones weight on your shoulders. I'm not suicidal or anything, but my mental health has been slowly going down the toilet each time another person comes to me for help. It's a lot for me to carry. Any advice from anyone? I'm shaking so much right now. I don't know what to do.
Breathe ❤. Remember to take care of yourself too. Reach out for help with a counselor or through a school counselor. They may have some good resources. ❤ thank you for being a good friend to your friends. Remember to take care of yourself too. It's easier to be the rock of Gibraltar when you are strong and rested. ❤
@GardenHomie 😔. I try, and I can't really tell them to talk to someone else. I want them to know that I am there for them. I guess it's hard for me to have that balance 😕
@corngidog151 I hear you. That sounds rough. I'm glad they have you. I think a trusted person for you to talk to as well, that's going to help. Yes balance is difficult. I hear u.
@GardenHomie I do have a few trusted people to talk to, and it does help. Thank you for your input. I have been really struggling with this the last few months ❤️
If you don’t replenish that well of compassion by way of self care, you WON’T be able to care for others and you will end up with Compassion Fatigue. Which, is what happened to me. I am now “disabled.” I have not been able to return to nursing for 10 years. I hated becoming disabled and felt like a failure. When you really search yourself, like I did, you will find that you were a bit of a failure. You failed to take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be strong and resourceful enough to care for others. I learned that too late. I hope you can learn this early enough that it doesn’t rob you of your passion. Take care of yourself. Remember that!
Have you ever met a patient whom meds didn't work for? I have been on virtually every type of psych med out there and they have no effect whatsoever. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, etc.I have also tried spravato, TMS, and such. Nothing touches my issues or symptoms. If it makes a difference, I also don't respond to pain medication (why I refuse to take narcotics for pain relief for my severely chronic unknown neurological/muscular disease) and I also don't respond to anesthesia (I will go under, but I also come out at the drop of a hat if not monitored EXTREMELY closely). What do you do for a psych patient who doesn't respond to meds? I've been trying for 20 years and nothing works.
I'm Bipolar I and I know that it is most common for those with bipolar to crave the mania, but every time I've asked to go back on my meds, it's been because of an out of control manic episode. I generally enjoy the beginning stages, the first few days of hypomania, because I'm suddenly more organized and energized and my house is spotless... that's nice... However, I lose time when I'm manic. Sometimes just a few hours, but more often a day or two. One time I lost a whole month. That's terrifying to me. I hate the depression, no doubt, but I'll take the lows over the highs any day. I know I can't control the intensity... now... lol So, if I've stopped taking my meds for whatever reason (cost, laziness, "I feel fine!", etc), and I start experiencing the signs that mania is incoming, I usually run to my pharmacy.
I have subclinical bipolar (bipolar traits with Borderline Personality Disorder, but not enough to reach the diagnostic threshold for bipolar). I love mania. When I have those moments, it's like being on the best roller coaster of my life. Even physically, it feels better than I can describe. My mania doesn't get too irresponsible or dangerous; if it were just that, I could work on a less restrictive meds arrangement with my provider and find the right balance. My lows are a wrecking ball to my children, to my marriage. I cause hurt to those I love most in a space where it's literally not possible for me to care if someone beyond myself is hurting because I'm drowning in my hurt. Treating that symptom also treats my mania. While I miss how good mania feels, I don't miss feeling helpless to undo the hurt I caused my babies. It's easier to do better even at the expense of both extremes.
@tinkeramma Since I have a huge co- dependency issue, when I get really low, I'll stop taking care of myself, but I can't bear to let anyone else not be taken care of, so I can usually overcome a lot by simply driving myself to do for others. Not always, and as I get older, it gets harder to recover from a deep pit. But hypersexuality is one of my main manic symptoms and ... well, let's just say I am the luckiest bitch when it comes to my health. If I have any luck at all, it has resulted in me never having contracted any STDs. Trust me, that's saying a lot.
@insomniapetals4424 All of that is so familiar. Those deep pits are the absolute worst. There are days I only manage my self-care because taking care of me is caring for my children also. I struggled with hypersexuality when I was younger. I look back and wonder why it was such a hook because it was such bad sex for me, but I know all I wanted at the time was that little bit of feeling cared about. After I got married, it initially was too much for my husband who would occasionally beg for a no sex day. Having babies messed up my hormones enough that it hasn't been a concern in a long while. Before I was married, though... I was so dumb, so reckless with my hypersexuality. Luck saved me as well.
@tinkeramma I'm almost 50 years old, I'm in the throes of menopause, and I still feel the strong, strong call every time my mood starts to ramp up. I've gotten better at seeing it coming and getting on a medication that removes all drive, but it's definitely still there. It's been more than ten years since my last full-fledged manic episode, and for that I'm truly grateful for Lamictal!
@@insomniapetals4424 I'm 38 myself. I'm also very grateful for Lamictal, though not for myself. My teenager has an odd presentation of epilepsy and Lamictal has allowed her a normal life. It's amazing what meds can do for us, ESPECIALLY when our providers involve us in our care. Those little adaptations make a world of difference.
Also they should have more outpatient hospitals for pych where you go around 8 hours a day for a week or 2 and had it in michigan and much better and dont like the pyhc hospitals because felt they kept me longer than they should have before and didnt feel heard yet there have been some good ones havent gone to one in along time like several years just an ideal mostly from stopping my meds not able to always able to afford or you just hate relying on meds and start feeling better think your better but truely just the meds helping
I get off at Civic center Bart station every week to go to my job at a residential home for mentally ill. So I knew what you were talking about LOL. I agree It's a failure of the system. people need homes first, but they can't get them because they are unaffordable. Living on the streets is so stressful it will induce both drug use and mental health issues. It's one big soup: mental health/ substance use and homelessness.
when u said about liability outside the buiilding even while working, i didn't know you guys have no some kind of protection scheme for workers. in malaysia we have socso, although claims can be a bit late...
It's not just drugs that make people hostile, you need to try to understand that person's situation. More often then not they are self medicating trauma and trying desperately to avoid homelessness or getting sick on the streets. Once they open up about their situation you will find a way help them. At least that's what I think
Mental health is one thing I think most of the world still over looks and sweeps under the rug. It can easily easily affect all kinds of physical health and other things if not helped whether therapy medication life style changes etc.. As a country, mental health REALLY needs to be checked on and looked into before things get worse over time
Diagnostic overshadowing kills psychiatric patients. Modern doctors have misdiagnosed narcolepsy as schizophrenia, they have misdiagnosed pellagra as schizophrenia too. Psychiatry doctors are c tier doctors.
My landlord & housemate in college was the only psychiatric ER nurse on his shift, typically. Not only did he sometimes have to wrestle down combative patients, but the cops thought it was really funny to bring in combative drug addicts, and once they saw the psych nurse, they would just let them go instead of helping to get them into restraints, then they would stand back and watch the show as the nurse who was much smaller than they are had to try to tame the beastly people. Most of the time my housemate was able to talk the combative people down instead of having to physically wrestle them down, but not always. It was a very dangerous and stressful job. but he did have hilarious anecdotes to share after a shift, the kind where you have to laugh because if you don't you might cry about the tragedy of how messed up people are.
One of my favorite interviews to date. Ramon is an amazing psych nurse. Please download and review on Spotify/Apple and share your feedback! It means a lot.
Thank you for this series. It's interesting to hear about everyone's experiences and it's great to see them recognized for their hard work.
I appreciate all your videos! This is a great one!
The parallels between Operating and Navigating and Thriving as a psych charge nurse, and ONT in retail, kitchens, and construction are absurd... it is truly absurd how critically lacking we are in mental healthcare.
As a human who is absolutely among the dozens of thousands, riding the unicycle on a tightrope over the canyon that is "managing less than ideal mental health without the means to get professional help," thank you both for this interview.
Just feeling heard and validated even hits through a video, on some level. We all just want so badly to belong, wherever we are. We desperately need more mental healthcare workers like you in the world.
Thank you so much for being here💚
I have a serious question that local Dr's will not answer.
Why should people donate organs, the Dr's, hospital and pharmaceutical companies make lot's of money and the family gets a massive bill. I'm starting to believe it just a scam.
Ramon looks a lot like you with a bald head cap on and glasses.
As a person who has been in and out of psych ward thank you for this. It's good to hear about it from the other side of this. I have had good nurse experiences and bad ones. The first night I spent in the psych ward I was in Newfoundland and the nurse just sat with me in my room until I fell asleep just so I wouldn't feel so alone. It showed true kindness and I will always be grateful to that nurse.
Also about not wanting to take meds. Getting on the right meds is a nightmare. Antipsychotics can make you have random muscle movements and some meds can actually make symptoms worse. I was prescribed trazodone and it sent me into a full blown psychosis. So it's not black and white why people don't like the meds.
I hope you are doing well ❤
Trazodone is generally prescribed as a sleep medication. It does not always fit for every one. Just tell the doctor that you do not want trazodone, They can prescribe for you Seroquel, Remeron, or a number of other medications to aide in sleep hygiene. @@jennifermorgan1920
@@jennifermorgan1920had the same problem, trazodone is such a common medicine, but for me it would do nothing. In spite of that, doctors tried to prescribe me that many times. Or the muscle twitching, after antidepressants, i’m now on a cocktail of medicine to get rid of my symptoms and twitching.
I am a nurse. I was in a devastating marriage to a deeply damaged man and had to go to a psych ward to be safe. I was treated kindly until I got my assigned nurse.
Some people do not do the self care they need to do, to do this job.
I still learned a lot. I was determined to do that.
25 years later, that night ended up being a gift. I hope the woman who failed me utterly got the help SHE needed.
We are all one. Thank you for doing your job well, and doing the self-care needed to sustain your standards of care and compassionate professionalism to a high level. ❤
Well said!!❤
I had a boyfriend who worked psych tech at a hospital here in northern cali. He worked with young men and during the day this particular group of boys were taken out to the mountains for some kind of enrichment. Along the way they found a small moose horn and were allowed to bring it back to the ward. They used the horn as a weapon to bludgeon their tech nearly to death, stole his keys and went out for a joy ride... That was my boyfriends last day. I worked which children who were severely disabled and it was very interesting to use different things to elicit smiles or the slightest response. I was assigned to work one on one with a young girl who had been home raised with little stimulation and my job was to take her all around the grounds and expose her to everything from an ice cream cone to the feel of a flower on her cheek.. My most touching moment was when I caught her looking at me through a mirror.. she held my eyes for a few seconds and then it was back to her usual way. Working with the children was wonderfully rewarding although of course there was a lot of sadness to watch these children grow without growing up
I did an internship on an inpatient psych unit when I was in nursing school (20 years ago). We had our own little section in the ER, and I was working there one night. The police brought in a woman with altered mental status. The ED refused to even triage, no vitals, just directed police to bring her to us. The officer told me he didn't think she was mentally ill, that she felt very hot and he was concerned but that the ED wouldn't take her. Her temp was over 104, her pulse was rapid and her blood pressure was low. My preceptor suspected sepsis. The doc on the medical side was too busy to talk to us, so the psychiatrist on call ordered labs and a CT. Lady had a tooth abscess that had gone into her brain. She lived thankfully and was not disabled from it. I still teach my baby nurses and NP students (I'm an NP now) to always look at the basics first. And the very basic 1st step is always vital signs. A lot of time was wasted fly that last begat the ED couldn't just do a set of vital signs before dismissing her as psych.
As a mental health worker in community this is spot on. Infection and uti can present as delusional. You must do vitals first.
Definitely! The first thing we tested on females with altered mental status was for a UTI, it’s amazing and scary how an untreated UTI can affect a person’!
@stephanied9629 it truly is !!!
I’m a psych social worker and I’ve heard of this before as well.
I've been in and out of psych hospitals aince I was a teenagers, and the nurses there are some of the greatest nurses I've ever had the pleasure to be treated by. Thank you for everything you do.
Write a letter to the psych hospital and let them know in writing your appreciation. It really means a lot to us. xxxxxxxx Thank you xooxoo
@@kimberleebrooks-trakis9563 I have, and I send holiday cards every year - I haven't been inpatient in two years now.
This is one of the best I’ve heard. I’ve been admitted to psych floors twice. The first was a horrible experience. The most recent I had nurses and techs and mental health workers like Ramon and it was a far better experience. Thank you for your kindness. ❤
What a marvelous and caring man Ramon is! His hospital is very lucky.
What an amazing and loving woman and badass nurse. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication Eugina. You make the world a better place for all of us!
I really like this series. Ramon is so caring and obviously loves his job. And his glasses are amazing
Oh man, I worked as a psych nurse for a decade in the locked wards of a state psych hospital, we of course had the worst of the worst patients because the state hospital is the last stop for patients that can’t be housed/treated elsewhere. I should have written a book, SO many wild and crazy stories! People would never believe some of the stories. Sometimes I really miss it. I definitely miss my old team, my coworkers. I really do wonder where some of my old patients are now, especially the chronic ones. The hospital I worked at was around 100yo and had so much history, and yes definitely ghost stories!!
Nothing to stop you. Write that book now!
This was a very interesting interview.
I am a Behavioral Health Nurse in an inpatient setting, and have been since 2009. I feel like most days I learn something new, and every time I think I’ve seen it all, I see something new!
But I love my job and coworkers ♥️
I've been in the psych ward. I so wish this awesomeness would have been there! Bless your heart! 60? Really..... more like 48!
He looks great for his age-beautiful skin.
worked 30 years with the developmental disabilities 20 years in state facility for duel dignosis....... got first job because of my combat vet status ........god gave me 10 years training for my sons autism gignoses ........ fact is we have the best stories
Thankful for you, Ramon! I am nearing my 20 year anniversary working with adults with disabilities. We are blessed to work jobs that we love, where we get to support people and learn new things every day. Kudos to you for doing the proper self care to keep up with the stress of your work and keep you sense of humor. That particular type of humor, often not well understood by those not working hands on with people is a real sanity saver. ❤
I have a long and extensive psych medical record (luckily no involuntarily admittance or really any true inpatient experience; the local one is not great and that was just the adolescent building. Seeing the perspective of an actually competent and compassionate psych nurse makes me a lot less nervous for the day it actually happens. Ive considered doing it so many times and it would have saved me so much pain to go inpatient especially during my annual psychotic episode (i am heavily medicated so my treatment is fine... Most of the time. For some reason i have a mixed psychotic episode every year. I wish i could go inpatient without being terrified of coming out worse than i came in..makes me even more excited to move to a large city.
A bf of mine is an rn on a psych ward at a va hospital-- I don't know how she does it, as all day long she feels like either of these: a dazed bobblehead doll listening to a disturbed persons nightmares, or looking down, shaking her head when she sees the same people over and over again, and the treatment to offer is the same as before. It's depressing-- especially since many don't or can't manage care, meds, etc. on their own. Any nurse who lasts in this environment is a Super Hero!
I know this is a really old post, but a big part of the problem was when they closed down all of the state hospitals and there was nowhere for those patients to go. My dad is a retired program director for the northern Michigan region’s community mental health (so basically, the state-funded mental health program) and he talks about how absolutely devastating that was for so many of those patients-many of whom had been institutionalized since they were young children-they simply didn’t know how to live independently and now, here they were, in many cases with no resources and no one to be on them all the time to help them manage their meds and their appointments. These are the people who you often see as the frequent flyers in the psych hospitals. Now, your friend’s (girlfriend? I’m sorry, I was confused because you said bf but then used female pronouns-I’m not trying to be rude at all-I assume you meant best friend, but please correct me if I’m wrong) case is different, being she is working in a VA hospital. There is an absolute need for these longer-term institutions like the state hospitals that were shut down decades ago. Obviously, we would need them to be revamped and require much better care for the patients but there simply are not enough facilities capable of handling high risk patients who can’t properly manage their meds and life in general.
I am a counselor who jumps between doing women’s intensive substance abuse and co-occurring disorders outpatient treatment and domestic violence prevention working with perpetrators. I have had several women who I’ve genuinely wished I could have referred out to a longterm psych facility. I live in San Francisco Bay Area and there is one hospital (Cordilleras) but it closed for a while and I think it may have reopened but with the mental health crises going on here, it is an absolute necessity. We have so many clients who have severe schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who can’t get clean, are using meth because they’re convinced it “helps” with the voices (spoiler alert: it doesn’t), and are homeless. Being able to get stabilized on their antipsychotic medication and bipolar medication (for those schizoaffective) in a MH facility would be the #1 treatment goal. The residential treatment facilities here won’t take women with severe mental health disorders. So, what are they to do? We do the best we can but at the end of the day, they end up leaving and going back into their environment.
The parallels between operating and navigating and thriving as a psych charge nurse, and ONT in retail, kitchens, and construction are absurd... it is truly absurd how critically lacking we are in mental healthcare.
As a human who is absolutely among the dozens of thousands, riding the unicycle on a tightrope over the canyon that is poor mental health, thank you both for this interview.
Feeling heard and validated even hits through a video, on some level. We all just want so badly to belong, wherever we are.
Thank you so much for being here💚
If I ever ended up in the psych unit i would want him to be around. Idk why but he seems very kind, calm, and has a very soothing voice. A perfect combination that the psych unit needs. Someone who is easy to listen to and has the wisdom to a point you can tell you need to listen.
I’ve been in and out of psych wards since I was 12. It’s always been a harrowing experience and I’ve always been treated like a really dumb infant. I’m turning 35 this year but I will 100 make sure I don’t miss my shot before setting foot in one of those places ever again. This man seems really nice, so I’m sure he gets to help a lot of people.
A lot of people have similar experience. Its ridiculous how bad it can be.
working as a medication nurse on an acute locked psych ward...medications will help break a cycle they are in...I have actually had patients thanked me for helping them by giving them medication....and asking them if they need some medication....left that ward when I felt I was too old to take another hit....bless these patients....
Ramon reminds me of the psychiatric ER nurse I knew; both seem calm and gentle, which apparently is really useful to be able to calm down distressed people. Usually he could get upset people to cooperate with him by showing them extreme respect and also using humor to get them to relax by laughing. There were times where people on drugs could not be calmed and had to be restrained, but that is a fraction of the time. He could tell great stories, which also helps to relax people, especially when his stories are humble and poking fun at himself. By making himself seem among the least threatening people, he could get people to do what he wanted as a reciprocal curtesy. However, my psych nurse housemate did know some martial arts and wrestling holds that could drop a combatant to the floor or a bed very quickly if he had to do so to protect himself or others, and he would have a strong tranquilizer ready to inject such a combative person, though he was always careful to not telegraph his intent, so he would have the element of surprise on his side.
I had a serious mental health collapse about two years ago and spent 8 months in various facilities, including two stints (10 days and 12 days) in a level 1 psych ward. Everything wasn't perfect, but the staff was kind and helped me recover and actually heal. Wouldn't be here without them. Thanks for all you (both) do.
Thank you Ramon for all you do. You are so empathetic and kind. ❤
I worked on a Med/Surg/telemetry unit in a well known hospital. Most of my patients are on ventilator and we have a neg pressure room for suspected TB pts to be isolated. I wasn't used to working with pysch pts until one rolled in needed to be isolated and he wasn't taking his pysch Rxs for schizophrenia. Lawd have mercy, that pt was a learning experience for my 3/12s. Years later,I ended up being my late dad caregiver after he was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer's and his sundowning was very violent. Here's the kick in my ass,my dad was diagnosed by his treating Dr 3 years earlier after his 1st TIA that his scans/tests were showing Dementia/Alzheimer's but bcz my dad was still "okay" by his treating physician ,my dad refused to allow him to sit down and tell my mom and I what was going on. We found out by the ER Dr 3 yrs later his Dementia diagnosis when we were in the ER bcz we thought he was having another stroke.
Thanks!
Here in NC, we have Psych RNs in some EDs. I am one of those although not anymore LOL. In Charlotte, we also have a designated Psych ED. Thank you for your insights. I’m always happy when Psych gets some credit!
Thank you for sharing. Loved it. Nurse Ramon is an excellent human being so happy that he is a nurse. Great job 👍
I have beern in an adolescent Osychiatric unit and a adult Psychiatric unit. I must say that both of The Times that I have been in these places. I needed to be there and I got to help. I needed but some staff can be rude. Thank you for being one of those cool, amazing staff members. That treats patients as humans rather than Inmates
Great interview! Very knowledgable.
Here in Florida, our acute wards are mixed in with people who are kept there longer. The only long term care available (not private) has only 30 beds with about a 6 mos wait to get in.
We go up to 27 beds (all double rooms) , they are not allowed to use the day room at night, which I don't really understand, I get that we need to encourage sleep but not every one sleeps at night. I feel we could avoid a lot of behavioral problems if they were just allowed to watch television or read in the day room, even talk and socialize with others that cannot sleep. Many of our patients wake up around 5 am and are very unhappy that there is nothing to do. Many times all they want to do is congregate around the nurses station and disturb us while we are trying to get our work done. Btw- here I would like to mention how much paper work we are tasked to do , most of it is useless. It is paper work of just in case we are ever investigated, I really don't know who reads this stuff. Handwritten paper work I might add.
Here in Florida, people are baker acted, and I cannot tell you how many times we receive people from the hospital who are drunk and intoxicated claiming suicidal ideation. I know that it is against the law to baker act someone who is intoxicated or hight, but they do it anyway. We also get people who are unable to self care (against policy) but they do it anyway. We also get people with dementia who are sundowning, and their families just need a break, so they lie and state that the person is a danger to themselves and others (which is true) but not psych ward material. Oh, I could go on and on. LOL. I love psych nursing though, I love the patients and the challenges.
Great episode. I worked after hours for a health insurance company. One of the psych patients found out there was an afterhours service and called several times a week. Most of the time she just called to talk but she'd sometimes have 911 called for her. I'm not a medical professional, so I refused to speak with her. As a non-professional how would I know if she just wanted to talk or if she was in danger. I always transferred her to the nurse on duty. The patient always asked if I knew who she was, she'd call in so often I did recognize her voice without her telling me. She knew who I was because I was the only person who wouldn't speak with her. The other non-medical people had no issues speaking with her. One day she asked me why I wouldn't talk to her; I advised her that it was for her safety. I didn't have the ability to provide the help she needed. It was the truth.
Ramon. you are amazing. shame thers not more nurses or people like you.
This is a great video to show psych wards from a staff member's point of view.
I always wanted to work ED, but after a recent psych ward visit, I think I want to work acute psychiatric care, at least for a little bit as I get my education. I still don't know what I want to do after my bachelor's, but the way I was treated in the facility made a significant impact on me.
The techs that made the biggest impact on me were the ones that had been in my shoes. I've gotten pretty good at hiding my emotions and thoughts, even from myself. The techs that had been in my position could read my mind. They knew what I needed because they had been there. The other techs had the heart and the compassion, but they couldn't mind read like the others could. In some ways that was good, because it taught me to articulate my feelings, but sometimes I couldn't articulate my emotions and I needed someone to be able to tell what I needed.
If I can do that for someone else, I would love to. I know it has to be stressful. I overheard a tech one morning talking to another and she said "my anxiety is really bad this morning. I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack, but I feel like I can't have anxiety or express it because I work here." I wanted to hug her or say something to her, but I couldn't because I was "asleep." It has to be stressful trying to treat people who have the same medical conditions you do, knowing that you could be a patient in a week.
Since I slept right next to the tech table, I got to see a side of them the other patients didn't get to see. I got to see their compassionate side. I got a chance to talk to them and some of the most raw and impactful conversations occured after everyone else was in bed. After expressing my concerns that I wasnt improving (I was discharging in 3 days), I had a tech tell me something along the lines of: "Depression is a lifelong condition. You are going to have this for the rest of your life. It's never going away. You have to find a reason to keep fighting."
She was right. I've been out for a month. I'm not better. My physical symptoms of depression are a little better, but the mental aspect (I think youtube would censor me. It's a two word phrase that is often shortened to SI) is the same. I've found my reason though. I want to help people. I can't do that if I'm not here.
I absolutely doubt that any of the techs that treated me are reading this, but I've shared enough information that if they are, they know who I am.
To the techs that took the time to sit next to me and talk to me, the ones that let me escape into the hallway and decompress, the ones that let me cry at night and didn't try to convince the nurses to give me Ambien, the one who tucked me into bed when I was inconsolable, and the one who walked with me to be discharged because I didn't think I was ready, thank you. Your compassion means more than words can express. Your compassion is the reason I'm still here. Thank you.
my mother worked briefly at Pennhurst mental hospital many years later i got my first job after military/contract careing for a group home set up for pennhurst surviours those clients did as much to treat my ptsd as i did them i think
This was so great! Love watching your videos. I am a caregiver of elderly parents, kids with health issues and me- I live in ERs and so so many Dr appointments- am I allowed to press 1 as a healthcare provider?? Thanks for the humor. I realize some of our worst days have been on a regular day of work for all of you. Either way- thanks for the laughs!!!
I have an advanced degree in natural science. During my schooling we barely scratched the surface of human behavior. So in este I'm on the learning channel so to speak on the afore mentioned subject. Since tuning into ur channel I've learned invaluable info which has aided me in my endeavor to understand human behavior. I have a friend who is severely bipolar I will inform the person about the option of county psych unit. Thanks much!
well if you’re interested in humans go learn about Human Sciences, Human Development and Human Psychology
I’m liking your longer form content/interviews. You’re great at being personable and did good research on your guest. Looking forward to more!
Loved this interview. I’m a nursing student and LOVED my psych rotation. It’s an underserved population that deserves nurses like Ramon. Really appreciated the insight from a seasoned nurse.
Loved this interview - Ramon seems like such an honest and cool person.
I live in Warren, Ohio we have psych nurses in the ED because our ED has a special lockdown portion of our ED just for psych patients
This is a wonderful conversation. Thank you
I have GAD and thought about going to the ER to get help and med adjustment fast. I worried about who I would get. However, after seeing Ramone, I dont worry as much anymore.
I love this man!
Shoutout to all the County Mental Health Services in CA! Great interview with Ramon whose perspective on mental health treatment is right on. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and music therapist. I am now retired but worked 33 years for a large county in Northern California. Ramon has the passion, compassion and sense of humor that is needed for this special population. Most people are not able to cope with the special demands of this type of job. I worked both inpatient and outpatient departments, utilizing music therapy with patients for many years and as a manager when I got my social work degree. Kindness is essential. I knew some of our patients the entire 33 years. There is a lot of staff turnover in the mental health field. So I always felt that the hope I could give to our patients was important since they didn’t know anyone else that long. Trust is such a huge issue for anyone experiencing a thought or mood disorder. Thanks, Steve, for sharing this enlightening interview. Your skits and podcasts are simply awesome. 👍🏼👏🏼
This guy is amazing. I have never been a Psych RN but I feel like with someone like Ramon precepting me and as Charge RN I'd give it a shot.
Good psych nurses like him are the reason I got my bipolar diagnosis and the help I needed (starting at 30... better late than never). I really enjoyed watching this interview and really appreciate the work people like Ramon do. And I agree with you guys... never be afraid of the meds. Bad side effects just mean you need to try a different one, right?
Such an enlightening discussion. Thank you for your dedication and compassion.
I had a head trauma patient who tried to climb over the back fence, I held onto his leg and yelled like a banshee
I love this episode! So good and so refreshing! Thank you so much for what you guys do!
As an ER employee I second that there is a disconnect. However the intake nurse is one of my good friends. She understands more than me and I let her lead when it comes to taking care of the psych patients. I appreciate Ramon’s honesty and hard work all these years. He’s definitely one in a million and an awesome nurse! Thanks Ramon!!❤
as a C.N.A psych is the best, everyday something different. you see milestones a patient overcomes and the setbacks ,it's an experience and most fulfilling than any LTC care of the elderly though some are elderly in psych. you learn things about yourself through psych patients.
Aw I loved this episode🥹🥹🥹 He has such awesome advice and perspective ❣️
I work as an EEG tech and in my hospital the staff in the psych unit are some of the best patient advocates
Thank you, to every nurse worldwide. You are at the frontline of health. I know so many of us wouldn't be here if not for your care..
🌛🫶🌜
Thank you for this. There are so many misconceptions about working in mental health, like some folks think there's a 'magic pill' you can give a patient that will 'fix' them. As a psych nurse, I prefer working at a psychiatric hospital rather than a psych floor in a general medical center. Non-psych people don't understand what it's like. If a patient refuses a procedure due to paranoia, I'm told "Just tell'em...." whatever.
I’m a licensed graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in a psych unit at a major hospital and 72 hour holds are decently common and they do NOT go on someone’s public record. At least in MN they don’t. There are different kinds of holds though. An apprehend and hold order is different. That is on a public record and is used for EMS to bring someone to the hospital to address their mental health. There’s also a district court hold to keep people in the hospital until they address their mental health or go through the commitment process.
Edit: I have been in a psych unit before myself. I feel it makes me more empathetic to what people might be going through while in one.
Finally some honesty.. entitled behaviour and ignorance, I know everything.. we are NOT entitled to! It’s interesting watching this from Australia 🇦🇺 it’s happening everywhere.. we just have to hang in there, stay safe, stay strong and stay together 😜as healthcare workers ❤
What a gem!
I must admit, looking at the thumbnail, I thought you were interviewing Rue Paul! Lol ❤ 😅
Me too.
as someone who has been to a psych ward, it's so true that a lot of workers are burnt out. idk. i could never do that job personally
In the hospital, I worked they had eight psych units 24 bed in each unit and I did mood disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar, a little schizophrenia, let me tell you when they floated me to the he detox to unit. I have never seen anything like that in my life. They’re the ones that you have to be worried about
Here in Richmond, Virginia we have designated psych intake areas too, so you don’t do any paperwork going into the ER. They send you to another intake room and that room is on lockdown you do get searched and put into a down before you go in that room and you usually agree to get sent to any site in the state before you go in there, and these are people who are self admitting. The intake area is not just one room. It’s four rooms big giant heavy plastic benches like you would see on the psych unit a small nursing station and then the antique area which is like with curtains where people eat their belongings and change into a account before they enter it.
my friend from high school in Santa Clara, Ca, her dad was some type of director at Agnew State Mental Hospital before it was closed. They lived on the grounds, it was a huge place, i remember we went to a dance one time with the mentally ill, we had fun.
I'm a med/surg PCT and got floated to the psych unit. I was amazed at how many people in there were messed up mentally from meth.
The reference about tourists in San Francisco taking photos of attractions the city has to offer & the thought that they actually take photos of homeless people in their horrific condition truly makes me contemplate who are the ones that need mental health help.
Ramon is amazing
We had one lady come in as a psych patient who was belligerent and just swearing at us. Then she got her meds and a switch flipped. She was sweet and just wanted to go home but it was nighttime and the doctor wanted her to be evaluated. The only problem was the psychiatrist wouldn't be in until morning. The nursing staff didn't think she needed anything more than to stay on her meds but we had to follow the doctor's orders.
Since we started tele-pysch, we have been discharging psych patients much faster. We still have some there for days, but we can clear the beds of the stable ones within hours.
Jojo is a gods gift! He is very caring person, genuine, Kind and generous!
Moved from California to East Coast and am thinking that Philly’s Kensington area is how Civic Center sounds now. I’m as sad as everyone else. We need to get the mufukin drugs n check. What can we do? Help!
Ramon, thank you for helping so many people throughout your career up to this point. You are truly doing God‘s work. I know you weren’t looking for praise, but I hope very good things happen to you in the future.
These kinds of nurses are the real heroes of society.
These are awesome!!!🤗
I knew that unicorns were real!
The US needs to bring back psychiatric hospitals, where that's all they do - those are the only type of patients they admit, and what they specialize in. It's so needed, now more than ever. 😢
These do still exist, and they're constantly full.
Thank you for sharing
i did a lot of cross training L&D/OB-GYN, MED/SURG, SPINAL CORD, PSYCH/CHEM DEPENDENCY etc..., our hospital was large, but the patient census would go up and down, and drop, thus i would be cancelled for the day, so i signed up for a temp agency registry to get more hours, i worked psych the last night before it closed at san mateo county hospital ,built in the 1920's, this was in the late 1990's it closed, they had built a new hospital___it was so weird to be in a hospital, the night before it closed forever.___there were construction workers there taking down the antique light fixtures etc.... i remember everything was painted a light pink
I have a true story for you. I had extremely obese pt that had a track. She was on a passy mur (sp) to start weaning off the vent. She was trying to get something and her breast fell over her trach and occluded it. Coded brought back with severe hypoxic brain injury. A good bra could have saved her life
LA (the valley) is my old stomping grounds. I'm in oklahoma now last 2 years. Going into LPN school in 2 weeks at 66 years of age. Then will take the rn bridge. I think I'd be good n with psyc patients. Lots of experience with addicts.
Here in Balkan is a different story. I've been to psych ward for three months. Nurses treated us like sh*t and never meet our needs because we are "just the crazy ones". Doctors were better, but they weren't available at most times. There was a patient with dementia, nurses were yelling at her and used to tie her a lot and she woul cry all night long. She wasn't dangerous or anything, she was just confused. I still remember her crying and my heart breaks. I was there for suicidal thoughts and I said next time I will rather unalive myself than go back there. They didn't help me at all, they were just keeping me there.
My heart is pounding inside my chest. I have had 3 different friends now come to me saying that they are having suicidal thoughts/feelings. All at different levels. One of those friends even tried to end there life, and went to a psychic hospital. She moved away after that experience to where I am. Then, she moved back to that place that made her suicidal. I have no contact with her, and I frankly don't know if she is dead or alive right now! My other two friends both go to my school. I know both of them don't have the best family situations, and I feel bad. And I'm glad that they come to me and that they know they can talk to me. But eventually, when it gets to 3 and probably more, everyone is looking to you for guidance and answers. You start to feel helpless too and like your carrying everyones weight on your shoulders. I'm not suicidal or anything, but my mental health has been slowly going down the toilet each time another person comes to me for help. It's a lot for me to carry. Any advice from anyone? I'm shaking so much right now. I don't know what to do.
Breathe ❤. Remember to take care of yourself too. Reach out for help with a counselor or through a school counselor. They may have some good resources. ❤ thank you for being a good friend to your friends. Remember to take care of yourself too. It's easier to be the rock of Gibraltar when you are strong and rested. ❤
@GardenHomie 😔. I try, and I can't really tell them to talk to someone else. I want them to know that I am there for them. I guess it's hard for me to have that balance 😕
@corngidog151 I hear you. That sounds rough. I'm glad they have you. I think a trusted person for you to talk to as well, that's going to help. Yes balance is difficult. I hear u.
@GardenHomie I do have a few trusted people to talk to, and it does help. Thank you for your input. I have been really struggling with this the last few months ❤️
If you don’t replenish that well of compassion by way of self care, you WON’T be able to care for others and you will end up with Compassion Fatigue. Which, is what happened to me. I am now “disabled.” I have not been able to return to nursing for 10 years. I hated becoming disabled and felt like a failure. When you really search yourself, like I did, you will find that you were a bit of a failure. You failed to take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be strong and resourceful enough to care for others. I learned that too late. I hope you can learn this early enough that it doesn’t rob you of your passion. Take care of yourself. Remember that!
Have you ever met a patient whom meds didn't work for?
I have been on virtually every type of psych med out there and they have no effect whatsoever. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, etc.I have also tried spravato, TMS, and such. Nothing touches my issues or symptoms.
If it makes a difference, I also don't respond to pain medication (why I refuse to take narcotics for pain relief for my severely chronic unknown neurological/muscular disease) and I also don't respond to anesthesia (I will go under, but I also come out at the drop of a hat if not monitored EXTREMELY closely).
What do you do for a psych patient who doesn't respond to meds? I've been trying for 20 years and nothing works.
I'm Bipolar I and I know that it is most common for those with bipolar to crave the mania, but every time I've asked to go back on my meds, it's been because of an out of control manic episode. I generally enjoy the beginning stages, the first few days of hypomania, because I'm suddenly more organized and energized and my house is spotless... that's nice... However, I lose time when I'm manic. Sometimes just a few hours, but more often a day or two. One time I lost a whole month. That's terrifying to me. I hate the depression, no doubt, but I'll take the lows over the highs any day. I know I can't control the intensity... now... lol So, if I've stopped taking my meds for whatever reason (cost, laziness, "I feel fine!", etc), and I start experiencing the signs that mania is incoming, I usually run to my pharmacy.
I have subclinical bipolar (bipolar traits with Borderline Personality Disorder, but not enough to reach the diagnostic threshold for bipolar).
I love mania. When I have those moments, it's like being on the best roller coaster of my life. Even physically, it feels better than I can describe.
My mania doesn't get too irresponsible or dangerous; if it were just that, I could work on a less restrictive meds arrangement with my provider and find the right balance.
My lows are a wrecking ball to my children, to my marriage. I cause hurt to those I love most in a space where it's literally not possible for me to care if someone beyond myself is hurting because I'm drowning in my hurt. Treating that symptom also treats my mania. While I miss how good mania feels, I don't miss feeling helpless to undo the hurt I caused my babies. It's easier to do better even at the expense of both extremes.
@tinkeramma Since I have a huge co- dependency issue, when I get really low, I'll stop taking care of myself, but I can't bear to let anyone else not be taken care of, so I can usually overcome a lot by simply driving myself to do for others. Not always, and as I get older, it gets harder to recover from a deep pit. But hypersexuality is one of my main manic symptoms and ... well, let's just say I am the luckiest bitch when it comes to my health. If I have any luck at all, it has resulted in me never having contracted any STDs. Trust me, that's saying a lot.
@insomniapetals4424 All of that is so familiar. Those deep pits are the absolute worst. There are days I only manage my self-care because taking care of me is caring for my children also.
I struggled with hypersexuality when I was younger. I look back and wonder why it was such a hook because it was such bad sex for me, but I know all I wanted at the time was that little bit of feeling cared about. After I got married, it initially was too much for my husband who would occasionally beg for a no sex day. Having babies messed up my hormones enough that it hasn't been a concern in a long while. Before I was married, though... I was so dumb, so reckless with my hypersexuality. Luck saved me as well.
@tinkeramma I'm almost 50 years old, I'm in the throes of menopause, and I still feel the strong, strong call every time my mood starts to ramp up. I've gotten better at seeing it coming and getting on a medication that removes all drive, but it's definitely still there. It's been more than ten years since my last full-fledged manic episode, and for that I'm truly grateful for Lamictal!
@@insomniapetals4424 I'm 38 myself. I'm also very grateful for Lamictal, though not for myself. My teenager has an odd presentation of epilepsy and Lamictal has allowed her a normal life.
It's amazing what meds can do for us, ESPECIALLY when our providers involve us in our care. Those little adaptations make a world of difference.
"...I'm just doing CPR!!!"😂😂😂😂
I was a psych nurse then I was a psych patient. My nurses and techs were great
I didn’t sleep
Also they should have more outpatient hospitals for pych where you go around 8 hours a day for a week or 2 and had it in michigan and much better and dont like the pyhc hospitals because felt they kept me longer than they should have before and didnt feel heard yet there have been some good ones havent gone to one in along time like several years just an ideal mostly from stopping my meds not able to always able to afford or you just hate relying on meds and start feeling better think your better but truely just the meds helping
Psych ward….i only did the nursing rotation there lol. Much Respect to the Psych nurse.
I get off at Civic center Bart station every week to go to my job at a residential home for mentally ill. So I knew what you were talking about LOL. I agree It's a failure of the system. people need homes first, but they can't get them because they are unaffordable. Living on the streets is so stressful it will induce both drug use and mental health issues. It's one big soup: mental health/ substance use and homelessness.
when u said about liability outside the buiilding even while working, i didn't know you guys have no some kind of protection scheme for workers. in malaysia we have socso, although claims can be a bit late...
It's not just drugs that make people hostile, you need to try to understand that person's situation. More often then not they are self medicating trauma and trying desperately to avoid homelessness or getting sick on the streets. Once they open up about their situation you will find a way help them.
At least that's what I think
👍He needs a Award❤❤❤❤❤
Mental health is one thing I think most of the world still over looks and sweeps under the rug. It can easily easily affect all kinds of physical health and other things if not helped whether therapy medication life style changes etc.. As a country, mental health REALLY needs to be checked on and looked into before things get worse over time
This is why a lot of people do not seek help. They don't want it on their permanent record.
Diagnostic overshadowing kills psychiatric patients. Modern doctors have misdiagnosed narcolepsy as schizophrenia, they have misdiagnosed pellagra as schizophrenia too. Psychiatry doctors are c tier doctors.
My landlord & housemate in college was the only psychiatric ER nurse on his shift, typically. Not only did he sometimes have to wrestle down combative patients, but the cops thought it was really funny to bring in combative drug addicts, and once they saw the psych nurse, they would just let them go instead of helping to get them into restraints, then they would stand back and watch the show as the nurse who was much smaller than they are had to try to tame the beastly people. Most of the time my housemate was able to talk the combative people down instead of having to physically wrestle them down, but not always. It was a very dangerous and stressful job. but he did have hilarious anecdotes to share after a shift, the kind where you have to laugh because if you don't you might cry about the tragedy of how messed up people are.
Would love to still be working trauma broke my back had a stroke state and neuro don’t like the idea of me going back to work
I might be totally mistaken but I need to clarify. I’ve been pink-slipped 3 times. Does that go on my permanent record?
I ummm misread that as psychic nurse at first and was very confused
Lol
My psych patients didn't sleep well at night? But usually because a use they aren't medic as tedvwell.
💯💯FIRST‼️‼️ THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO🙏🏻 WE LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS SOOOOOOO MUCH
NOBODY CARES
Just ignore @Bentheman24 ! That is not true!
@@Tinykniter no u
It’s crazy to here about San Francisco! What the hell has happened to it?