Do mental health nurses ever give needles to patients

We don’t call them “needles.” We call them syringes. In 25+ years of psych nursing, I would estimate that I’ve given approximately 10,000 IM injections.

The number is so large not because I’m a crazy Nurse Ratched as so many would like to believe, but because psych patients get sick, just as non-psych patients do. The large numbers add up with flu clinics, volunteering to give TB sub-Q injections at a free health care clinic for veterans for several years, and other medications which are ideally given IM for best, quickest results.

During flu clinics, we thoroughly but plainly explained the benefits of getting the immunization. We agreed that everyone found needles unpleasant. We had good relationships with most of our patients.

To make the process more painless, we assembled an assortment of dinosaurs which both patients and staff found entertaining to arrange while anticipating the injection. We also provided a small but tasty sweet treat (if medically OK) after it was done.

Probably we give more injections than any other type of nurse. My second-most unusual and outstanding skill is giving nearly painless IM’s, thanks to flu clinic practice. The other is parallel parking.

On many occasions we do give injections to agitated and out of control patients. We don’t do it lightly. It requires an order from an MD, specifically for that dose. We don’t like sticking needles into people already in great distress, but if they are so agitated they are in danger of hurting themselves or others, there are not that many options, and I’m including quiet time, calming rooms, seclusion rooms, de-escalation, etc.

Because my specialty was alcohol and drug addiction, many of the IM’s were given because of the way alcohol and drugs destroy the body. A person in the throes of DT’s needs ativan may need magnesium to lower the chance of seizures, etc. The agony that DT causes is so great IM’s are the best choice.

Many of our patients come to us in very ill health. IVDA’s often have STDs, which require an IM dose of antibiotics. Many have full-blown AIDS and very compromised immune systems. TB is also very frequent. I could fill pages with the illnesses rampant on a psych unit.

As far as insulin—depending on the unit and patient, some patients are allowed to administer their own, as the goal of the unit is to get patients functional and able to care for themselves properly on discharge.