The following is a copy of a journal written during my clinical rotation in Mental Health Nursing at the Parthenon Pavilion. I believe it shows reflection of my time spent as well as personal insights into this aggregate population.
I was pleasantly surprised at my first day at the Parthenon Pavilion. Having already spent some time at the VA facility I expected more of the same but this was a completely different atmosphere. We arrived in the afternoon and were assigned our patients. The atmosphere seemed relaxed and friendly. We were led onto the units and allowed to read our patient’s chart before meeting them. I spent quite a bit of time looking over my patient’s chart before heading to group therapy. I learned she was suffering from Major Depressive Disorder and had been found crying on her mother’s grave. She had suicidal ideations but no plan and had homicidal thoughts toward her husband related to infidelity. She had a history of past abusive relationships. She also had a history of multiple bladder and back surgeries. She had chronic pain related to these.
I went with my patient into groups for process group, which was led by a social worker. This was an open discussion for patients to discuss anything they needed. One lady started the group by saying she was going home the next day. This led to conversations about how to cope with going home and what suggestions everyone had to help her. The social worker stressed the importance of staying on a regular schedule for eating and sleeping. Another patient discussed dealing with change and the important lesson of learning that they could only control themselves and not others. This led to a breakthrough moment for my patient. She spent quite a bit of time discussing anger towards her father. I could tell this had been building for a long time. It was like a dam had broke and it all came pouring out. She said it was the first time she had discussed her father with anyone. After group I thanked my patient for allowing me to talk to her and thanked her for sharing her ordeal with everyone.
We also spent time in the gymnasium during fitness time. Most of the people just sat along the edge of the gym, but a few played a game of beach volleyball. I was amazed at the stories I heard from the patients during this time. They chatted openly with each other about their problems. It was almost like they turned into different people when they got off the unit and into the gym. I overheard two patients comparing how much money they had spent on drugs in the past. One person had spent over $350,000.
I think perhaps what I found most interesting was the types of persons on this unit. The patients could have been anyone you meet in a store while shopping. They came from all walks of life and an array of backgrounds. Reading my patient’s chart gave me a sense of how something so early in one’s past, such as abuse, could turn into this snowball and affect everything her life.
I have a new sense of empathy and more understanding of these patients. In the past I have tended to be one of those persons who thought depressed patients should “get over it.” I am proud at how much I am learning about this aggregate and how much my views are changing. This clinical is definitely helping me be a better person in the future, especially with this population.
