In The Field: Nurse Bocage is taking steps to dispel mental health stigmas
Today, we’re turning the spotlight on Seeta Dyer-Bocage, RN, and soon-to-be a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She’s telling us about her drive to work in mental health, caring for different populations, and her goal to help erase the stigma around mental health care.
Q: TRUE or FALSE Nurses eat their young.
A: False. Most nurses are willing to help others. I've witnessed this during the past 15 years in the field.
Seeta Dyer-Bocage, Immigration & Customs Enforcement RN
Q: What is your specialty and where are you based?
A: Most of my career I've worked in the Telemetry/Medical Surgical setting, but I decided to venture out into the correctional setting to experience caring for a completely different population, so I currently work in an Immigration & Customs Enforcement facility. I'm based in Southern California.
Q: Any self care or mental health tips for new nurses?
A: Be patient with yourself. Understand you have to be well to make others feel well. Take steps to fix yourself first. Practice yoga, meditation, emotional intelligence, exercise regularly, and eat healthy.
Q: Ideally, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: I'm currently in graduate school for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I will graduate in the Fall 2022. I am excited to make this significant transition and begin working with mental health patients of all ages. The stigma attached to mental illness has always bothered me and if I can make a small difference by encouraging those who are suffering in silence to come forward and seek help, I would be very thankful for this opportunity.