Peer Counselor:
1 of the few jobs that you have to be crazy to get. Ok, Ok: that sounds like a bad joke. Except that it isn't.
To become a "peer counselor," you have to have a history of psychiatric problems. I suppose that the operational theory is that people with firsthand experience dealing with psychiatric issues are uniquely equipped to help other people who have active psychiatric issues.
• Moreover, it can help people who might otherwise have problems getting quality employment get a viable career.
Well, I took the course, and passed the tests. However, during the training, I concluded that (at the time) I lacked the personal boundaries necessary to do the job. Therefore, why get certified to do a job that I knew that I couldn't safely do?
Now? Maybe I could handle it. I'm unsure. I'd have to retake the course, though, providing that it's even available anymore.
There is something I know that I could participate in. Several times, I've been on "mental health consumer" panels that have talked to nursing students at the local, community college. A consistent comment has been that these panels have taught the student nurses things that they didn't learn from their textbooks.
A 2-part proposal, then:
#1: That both colleges and universities with nursing programs actively initiate mental health consumer programs that talk to their student nurses. And I don't mean only American colleges and universities. I mean all colleges and universities internationally.
#2: The prime time for such panels is when the students are in the psychiatric nursing section of their curriculum.
Nonetheless, please consider this proposal if a particular nursing class is already past that part of their curriculum.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Macbeth Raymondovich
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A Bridge Over Troubled Waters
SpiritualDear Reader: You are precious, priceless, and irreplaceable. In the entire history -- of the entire universe: In the history of all Eternity... There has been, and ever will be, only one you. Herein are opinions, observations, and things autobiograp...
