Note From Psych Patient- Should I Be Concerned!

[Indysoda]

I’m a nurse at psych facility in the U.S. A patient gave me a note that says the following:

I’m in Bible study, thinking of you because you are similar to him in your understanding of healing and mercy, and you love like him. I owe you an apology for thinking you spoke ill of me. That’s how paranoia works; your worst fear becomes “real”. My worst fear is that a true genius with a good heart would look at me with their accurate perception and see a bad person. I’m sorry. You have been hurt enough in life, and I doubt you ever complained. I was diagnosed late, but I’ve known I was different since I was 8 yrs old, in the Louvre, with Mom, looking at a painting of Jesus and John kissing. She said I could pray to John, he was different, too and he’d understand me. And he was holy because he shared his body with Jesus in a sacred way. Lots of objective historical info to support this. I hope you know that there was never anything wrong with you. I love you. Agape. Ha.

Sooooo Should I report concerns about changes in mental state,  or even be afraid of this person? She’s been there for awhile and never had inappropriate behavior.

I appreciate the sentiment, but am I wrong to see a few red flags?

[rockyracoon]

I'd say that as a psych nurse, you'd be much better placed/trained to deal with this than a bunch of strangers from across the pond.

[douglas9401]

This is how I like my nurses, untrained and incapable.

[smurfchops]

Surely as a psych nurse, presumably with qualifications, you should know the answer to this question? 

[Indysoda]

Nurses are not superheroes. Many are not even smart, at least in the States. Brits have a way of seeing things logically. How else can I approach this problem? I'm not going to share with management.

[bednobs]

Why not? That seems like the only course of action to me.

[douglas9401]

Logically, share with management, it's their job to deal with this stuff.

Keep it to yourself and when it all escalates they'll have someone to blame.

[New Judge]

"Should I report concerns about changes in mental state,..."

Isn't that part of your job? Or do you just keep the concerns you might have about patients to yourself?

I have to say that if you do (and you're allowed to) it doesn't say much for the quality of your supervision and management.

[Indysoda]

No one at work knows I'm gay. I talk about my son a lot. They have no idea. There are billboards here that say God hates gay. The director of nursing is a devout Christian. I'm uncomfortable at work and at a loss on how to overcome it.

[douglas9401]

🙄 Toodle-oo.

[jackthehat]

Why should your (closeted) sexuality have anything to do with how you approach your senior management?

[naomi24]

^That's exactly what I was going to say.  

[calmck]

If I am reading this correctly you are female and gay. The patient is also female and is attracted to you and has possibly picked up on your sexuality. If this is awkward for you to care for her then can you not ask not to be assigned to her and tell your supervisor that you are concerned the patient has feelings for you. Given the current climate in the US maybe think about looking for a job in a different institution

[pastafreak]

I agree with calmck. Tread carefully and consider changing jobs if you feel discussing this with management may threaten your livelihood anyway.

[Indysoda]

Just quit. Feels great. It wasn't for me.