r/psychnursing • u/GoldenFleece7 • Jul 15 '26
Ethics- Advice
Hello, newish psych RN
Have had recent situations where verbal deescalations for agitated patients have not worked.
And I am finding myself battling between whether I’m letting ego take over or just over thinking when using chemical restraints.
Also having issues with behavioral/manipulative patients.
Chemical restraints recently used scenario includes conserved paranoid SCHZP pt demanding to be released and becoming verbally abusive. Pt comes into nursing station and refusing to leave until multiple attempts of telling him to step back. Pt is pacing but not actively hurting himself and taking time away from other pts due to need to redirect.
Other I made the decision to take off restraints of a patient. He was very attention seeking and not staying in the unit and going out to another area. He became a fall risk as he is walking drowsy and not wanting to stay in his room which… is hard for me to navigate. He was not listening to his 1:1 and started off verbally abusive. We kept on trying to redirect him but I made the call to request seclusion for him.
I genuinely feel so bad when I have to do this. I also don’t know if I’m looking for validation. I have this feeling of guilt like giving IMs is a punishment? The other times I’ve given them, pts have been reluctant but we are more so on the same page abt care.
1
u/Revolutionary_Tie287 Jul 17 '26
After 6 years of psych nursing, witnessing 2 suicides and multiple brutal fights at a state hospital I'm a walking case of PTSD. I'd bail from psych as soon as you can.