A week in the working life of a senior mental health charge nurse.
Monday
Hello I’m Diane; I’m a Senior Charge Nurse at New Craigs Hospital in Inverness.
I have been in this post for 8 years.
Ruthven ward is one of 3 acute mental health admission wards in New Craigs.
The wards are sectorised and inpatient teams work closely with Community Mental Health Teams for each area.
Ruthven covers Skye & Lochalsh and Ross-shire
We are a team of 19 staff nurses and 8 Rehabilitation Assistants, 1 Nurse Team Leader and me (Senior Charge Nurse).
As Senior Charge Nurse I work Monday to Friday 8-4
Within Ruthven, we have six beds allocated for alcohol & drug detoxification.
This week as well as our normal case load we are preparing for the 6th Annual Mental Health Conference at Drumossie Hotel on Thursday.
Tuesday
Morning, one of our regular updates due.
We work closely with nurses from the Assessment Team who assess unplanned referrals from across Highland.
Meeting people from a variety of backgrounds
Patients are encouraged to think about their aspirations on leaving hospital and the practical issues surrounding discharge.
Working with people with different strengths and abilities.
Ruthven ward has 24 beds, all single rooms with ensuite facilities.
Patients are encouraged to continue with activities out with the hospital.
Ward meetings with nurses – why is it everyone becomes interested in their footwear?
We have regular contact with our Allied Health Professional colleagues to enable a full assessment of the patient.
Dealing with situations as they arise
Being able to respond to the demands of the ward.
Wednesday
Using video conferencing has helped put faces to names in our Community Mental Health Teams in Invergordon & Fort William.
Hoping Skye will be coming on board soon.
Working on a Greenspace project has given the opportunity to meet with lots of interesting people with a similar goal.
The project is to make the hospital greenspace a more attractive and accessible space and improve the health and well being of everyone.
Also got a School Art Project underway – I’m busy trying to organise prize giving.
All local secondary schools have submitted excellent art work which has been appreciated by all in the hospital.
We like to encourage links especially with young people & the hospital – it allows mental health issues to be talked about.
Getting every nurse to give the right response every time. Encourage nurses to feedback & make time to reflect at the end of every shift.
(Wed) Preparation for tomorrow’s mental health conference has begun - watch out Assynt House we are coming to collect equipment.
If anyone is aware of my parking skills then leave a huge space at the door.
Thursday
It’s a lot of work but looking forward to today’s 6th Annual Mental Health Conference
Lots of interesting workshops and speakers covering lots of different topics.
Great opening “I value you and you value me” well done to our Clinical Lead and HUG Spirit Advocacy
Working with the PERSON in Personality disorder - how the disorder develops and the impact of invalidation.
Update on the young persons unit in Tayside and when it is expected to open
Darkness in the afternoon an interesting insight into how reality can differ for a person with dementia.
SPSP (Scottish Patient Safety Programme) in mental health hope to get feedback on patient safety questionnaire carried out earlier this month.
Caring Behaviours Assurance System, all nursing areas in New Craigs have commenced this work looking at what we and our patients value most.
Busy and very valuable day!
Friday
Yesterday was a great chance to network and meet up with colleagues – fantastic team effort from everyone.
Ticked the boxes on SSTS - Scottish Standard Time System
Practise run for workload and workforce planning is proving interesting
Setting standards with Promoting Attendance Policy helping a staff member back to work.
Duty Nurse Manager rota might be interesting for next month –I’ve lots of requests!
Meet with a relative to reduce anxiety and confusion cause by miscommunication
Note to self – must organise awareness session dates for Increased Level of Care Policy
Student allocation 1 student in July……. so far! We can have 4 students on the wards.
Meeting with Practice Education Facilitator always ends in a discussion about the attributes of a good nurse.
Physical health of mental health patients is now seen as increasingly important.
Highlights has references to mental health & greenspaces in the Highland Health Resources Library article.
http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Publications/HighLights/Documents/May.pdf
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