nursingforsocialjustice

I have been a nurse for more than 12 years. I graduated from the University of Calgary in 2008. The first time that I felt like I belonged in nursing was when I started my mental health rotation at Foothills Hospital. I like talking to people, I like fighting for the underdog. I conceptualize the people who find themselves involuntarily admitted to mental health services are the underdogs. They find themselves admitted to an inpatient mental health unit against their will. It struck me that some psychiatrists talked about their patients as if they were their misbehaving children, scolding them for not following their medical advice. In the inpatient setting, where most people are there involuntarily, some nurses talked about their patients as if all hope for them is lost, as if their successful existence outside of the mental health hospital is impossible. Before I came to nursing I completed degrees in Psychology and Sociology.

Peace,

Michelle D.