I've just finished my training and amnow a qualified mental health nurse. The course was in two parts, half general nursing and half mental health nursing. I've studied a lot of theory, but the real learning has come from my placements in psychiatric wards. My first placement was on a ward for elderly people. The patients were all very quiet, but I was still terrified when I started.1thought some of the things the patients said and did were really strange. One day took a relaxation group. But no one told me that doing relaxation can start a psychotic episode. We were all lying down on the floor-allnicely relaxed. Suddenly a woman inthe group started screaming.I was so shocked that I almost screamed too. Another time.Itook a patient out for a walk round the town. Suddenly he ran off down the street. What should do? Run after him? No, I took a chance I just stood and watched him. He stopped and looked back Ismiled and gave a friendly wave, then turned around and walked slowly back towards the hospital. A minute later he joined me. He was laughing. was quite proud of myself that day!