Between classes: Jay Single
Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing
Jay Single
says making a difference trumps all.
Education:
- current student, Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing for returning RPNs
- Psychiatric Nursing Diploma, 2006
Currently:
Early Psychosis Intervention Clinician in New Westminster
Career goals:
To continue to contribute to community mental health and to promote wellness, both mentally and physically. I'd also like to work to help reduce the stigma of mental health issues and, specifically, psychosis. I'd eventually like to become an instructor to teach psychiatric nursing and maybe pursue a nurse practitioner license.
Personal goals:
I'd like to continue to check off my wish list of travel destinations and maybe one day bicycle across the country.
My role model is:
A bit of both
Initially, I went into Psychiatric Nursing because I was fascinated with how the human brain works, along with human behavior. I was also interested in making a difference and helping people who are often stigmatized and have difficulty getting help for sensitive issues.
Getting my degree
I believe that it is important to continue education throughout your professional practice to keep skills sharp, to develop new skills and expand your knowledge base. The better I am prepared, the better care my patients can expect. It is also good for the profession to maintain a high caliber of knowledge compared with other disciplines.
The best of times
The best thing about college has to be the camaraderie that is established and shared amongst classmates. The bond you make with others through trials and tribulations and then the celebration of success wouldn't be the same if you were doing it alone.
The worst of times
The toughest thing would have to be the workload in class and the responsibility of the job. Whenever you're working as a part in people's lives, it has its own stresses associated. Good self-care is important. That being said, the gratification of making a difference trumps it all.
An important lesson
I think the most important thing I've learned so far is to try and maintain optimism and to pay attention to counter transference. As explained above, it's important to not let the stresses of the job affect patient care. I guess that translates into a most important question: "How would you like your family to be treated if they were in the same situation?"
On-the-job lessons
There's nothing in a classroom that can compare to face-to-face contact with patients and on-the-job training. However, the most important thing I've probably learned from patients is their ability to overcome what may look like insurmountable obstacles.
Links:
Information Sessions
Psychiatric Nursing
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Published January 7, 2010
