My clinical placement was at the New Farm Clinic – Unit 2 (General Psychiatry). Initially, I had mixed emotions about my clinical placement. I felt excited, because I knew it is a great learning experience for me regarding mental health disorders. However, I also felt a little anxious thinking that the patients might be in their period of hallucinations though not to a degree that they are dangerous to me. I was unsure about how I would feel. I think I am mindful and respectful at others who can nurse people in a compassionate and non-judgemental manner. My previous clinical placement benefited me with skills and ability to interact and engage with my clients. Although, with this clinical placement I am aware that the small amount of
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X. She has anorexia nervosa and major depression. She was obese during childhood but is now underweight; she also has really low self-esteem and tried harming herself more than 4 times just to get attention during my two weeks placement. She would state that she wanted to die because she was fat and that she is no good. At first, I find it difficult to accept her reasoning. I thought, there are people around the world who are dying because of hunger and she was not eating because she still thinks she is fat. Another patient, Ms. Y, became verbally abusive towards me, but I tried to not to engage and deescalate the situation. Later, I tried to reflect and I realised that I was bringing my negative attitude and I was viewing Ms. X as the illness not a person with mental illness; that if she is not mentally ill, she would not be thinking that way. However, I was proud of how I handled Ms. Y. I also realised that in my practice as a Registered Nurse, I will nurse patients with more severe mental health disorder and that mental health patients are not restricted in mental health facilities.
Arising from my experience with Ms. X and Ms. Y, along with several other clients with various kinds of mental health disorders I have cared for in New Farm Clinic, I have learnt that they need to be treated with a lot of respect, empathy and understanding. I have learnt to see and care for the patient behind the mental
X. She has anorexia nervosa and major depression. She was obese during childhood but is now underweight; she also has really low self-esteem and tried harming herself more than 4 times just to get attention during my two weeks placement. She would state that she wanted to die because she was fat and that she is no good. At first, I find it difficult to accept her reasoning. I thought, there are people around the world who are dying because of hunger and she was not eating because she still thinks she is fat. Another patient, Ms. Y, became verbally abusive towards me, but I tried to not to engage and deescalate the situation. Later, I tried to reflect and I realised that I was bringing my negative attitude and I was viewing Ms. X as the illness not a person with mental illness; that if she is not mentally ill, she would not be thinking that way. However, I was proud of how I handled Ms. Y. I also realised that in my practice as a Registered Nurse, I will nurse patients with more severe mental health disorder and that mental health patients are not restricted in mental health facilities.
Arising from my experience with Ms. X and Ms. Y, along with several other clients with various kinds of mental health disorders I have cared for in New Farm Clinic, I have learnt that they need to be treated with a lot of respect, empathy and understanding. I have learnt to see and care for the patient behind the mental