Greetings to all at allnurses.com,

I have only worked in private psych and I am going to work in public. I have had many comments about this from nurses"what do you want to do that for etc".

I want to work public to find out for myself but these comments make me feel I am getting myself into a place I won't be able to cope with.

I would be greatful from your proffessional experience if you could enlighten me.

What issues do I need to be aware of that may inform me and or give me a bit more confidence. I am concerned I will make a fool of myself or do the wrong thing. I will be working in an admission ward.

Reguards Loray.

Well-

I much prefer public.

I am now protected by a union. "All of a sudden " I am also a respected professional.

The down side is I have a bumbling bureaucrat (with NO clinical experience) as a boss. I really detest this guy!

I love my patients and feel fulfilled. I get well paid with guaranteed raises. I have my own sunny office. Shall I go on?

I would never go back to the private sector, even if it meant having to share a private living space with my turd of a boss.

I have only worked in public care so I can't knowledgably compare with private. But probably your patients will have more problems, less money. You might see more immigrants. The doctors and nurses may have a different relationship. You might have more freedom to 'be' yourself. I doubt the patient snacks will be as good. And nobody will be discharged because their insurance has run out.

Originally posted by maureeno

I have only worked in public care so I can't knowledgably compare with private. But probably your patients will have more problems, less money. You might see more immigrants. The doctors and nurses may have a different relationship. You might have more freedom to 'be' yourself. I doubt the patient snacks will be as good. And nobody will be discharged because their insurance has run out.

Right on maureeno!!

Ditto. From the public side, I imagine that the "hotel" services would be of a higher standard on the other side of the tracks! lol

but we are slowly improving!

Thankyou for your replies;I thought I would give you some feedback.

I worked public last week and I really enjoyed it.

Now I can compare private V public

myself.

What I did find 1. Private system 6 to 8 patients plus I/C

2. Public system 5 patients plus backup of

other staff, security etc.

3. More respect given professionally.

4. Secure environment for patient's.

Working private here is Aussie Land by law you cannot lock any doors. Some patient's are at risk because of this and staff can be very stressed in this environment.

Enjoyed public and will be working more of it.

Loray.

Interesting Loray- Why no locked doors? Curious as to the rationale for this.

HI sanakrus,

The Mental Health Act states any psych private inpatient are considered voluntary. They cannot be

detained against there will (this is considered asualt).

Unless statis is changed to involuntary by a Doctor and are wanting for transport to a locked public unit. The duty of care we have towards patients safety is very stressful. We do admit patients that bounce to us from public ED because they have private health insurance without any thought of the best enviroment from the patient. Thanks for your interest, Loray.