Get Out - NOW!!!

Ok - I'll admit it. . .I'm a little naive - which doesn't really help me with my psychiatric patients. I tend to believe everything they say - I want to believe everything they say. . .cause deep down - I am a people pleaser. I want to make people happy - including my psych patients.

So fastforward to today - I had to go see a patient that was in the hospital...I should of had a clue when there were 4 officers standing outside of the door - but when I went in there and thought that I had established this excellent repore with the guy. I had an "amazing calming effect" on him - so much so that the security was able to leave. (they were just there until Psych was able to assess him). I got his story (and yes, believed every word). After collecting what we call "collaborative data" - it turns out that the dude lied to me. My resident, the nurse, & I went in to inform him that based on the new information we had, we were going to have to keep him. The majority of the conversation was calm - then suddenly things changed - our patient became VERY violent VERY quickly - at this moment my resident looked into my eyes and very calmly said "get out. . .NOW!!!" The 3 of us cleared the door just in time.

To say I had an interesting morning is an understatement - however, the one good thing I got out of this morning was the nurses reaction - she was right there with us (and much further away from the door than I was). . .but the first words out of her mouth once our adrenalin stopped being in complete control was "poor thing." (speaking about our patient). I was touched by her unwavering sense of care for her patient - I can't say the same for myself - but thats okay. . .at least I know one thing that I don't want to do for the rest of my life.