Hi Guys,

So I am super excited after 8 years of planning, hoping, wishing, and praying, (I wanted to be a nurse long before I finished high school) and lots and lots of hard work I finally get to start my first job as an RN on Monday!!! (I cant wait to sign the RN after my name for the first time!!!!:anpom:). My first job will be in psych nursing and was wondering if any of the more experienced nurses had any advice of things they wished they knew their first year(s) as a psych nurse. Or things they wished the new nurses coming in would understand. Thanks for any input in advance....

Manda

Congratulations!!!

I wish I was more gentle with myself. I came home every day feeling like a complete and total failure, beating myself up, comparing myself to others, instead of just giving myself some time. Too bad I didn't have Allnurses back then to help me through.

Remember YOU are the strongest curative factor in your patient's experience of hospitalization. A caring attitude, therapeutic listening, consistency, and being available will go a long way toward helping a psych patient heal....

Just responded to your other thread. Are you employed or looking for a job? Your threads are contradictory.

I have been looking for a job on a med-surg floor for the past 6 weeks with no luck. i have gotten a job at a psychiatric hospital but still would like a job at one of the main hospitals for med-surg/technical experience. While I am super excited to start a career in psychiatic nursing I had planned on spending at least a year getting some med-surg floor experience first. So I do now have a job but have had no luck getting into any of the major hospitals in my area.

I have been looking for a job on a med-surg floor for the past 6 weeks with no luck. i have gotten a job at a psychiatric hospital but still would like a job at one of the main hospitals for med-surg/technical experience. While I am super excited to start a career in psychiatic nursing I had planned on spending at least a year getting some med-surg floor experience first. So I do now have a job but have had no luck getting into any of the major hospitals in my area.

I sure do agree that a year of med surg would be highly beneficial to you right now, but give you credit for going into psych on a wing and a prayer.....no worries, I did, too....after many years in hospital I went in to psych green....you will get a little clinical skills exp. in psych but nothing compared to a med surg floor...so take advantage of your new job...good luck...Listen to the exp. nurses and how they interact with pts. and read all you can about psych meds and dx.......good luck to you