Hi everyone! I just finished up orientation on a 26 bed general adult inpatient unit, working 12 hour nights (7p-7a). I graduated in May and I know there must be some other new grads on here in a similar boat too.

How are you doing?

Are you almost finished orientation?

Is your job what you thoughts it would be?

I'll start! I'm doing great! My NM actually called me on Friday to ask how I'd feel about coming off of orientation a week early (12 weeks of total orientation completed), which I know was mainly a device of getting appropriate coverage for the unit, and she said my co-workers have nothing but good things to say about me.

I finished my last shift of orientation yesterday. I've been itching to get off of orientation for the past few weeks or so, because the unit census has been low and I've been only getting 3-4 patients for med passes. I feel very well supported by my colleagues. I'm not afraid to ask questions and I know things like getting used to calling docs and clinical judgment r/t putting someone in LDS or restraints will come with time and experience. I'm also still getting used to patients refusing meds or being resistant to treatment. I hate the revolving door experience!

My job is exactly what I expected and then some. I was a little nervous about going straight into psych right after school not because I was afraid I wouldn't like it but because I was afraid I'd never get out of the specialty if I wanted to, but I'm realizing that I really do love psych nursing. I have picked up a per diem position at a local psych hospital on the adolescent male psych unit and since peds is my other love, I'm excited about combining the two.

Thanks for this post, it has inspired me! I'm a new grad starting orientation in a few days, and I've also been worried about delving straight into psych for the same reasons you mentioned, namely not being able to try other things later on!

Its very good to hear that you've adjusted well & are still happy with your decision. I wish you continued success

Thanks for this post, it has inspired me! I'm a new grad starting orientation in a few days, and I've also been worried about delving straight into psych for the same reasons you mentioned, namely not being able to try other things later on!

Its very good to hear that you've adjusted well & are still happy with your decision. I wish you continued success

Good luck with orientation! What kind of unit will you be on?

I really want to go into psych too. I graduate in April '10. Did you have a hard time getting a psych job being a new grad with no experience? I'm trying to get a volunteer position as a crisis counselor right now so that I can get a little experience to help me out with dealing with crisis patients and to be able to have on a resume.

Thanks for your reply in advance.

Hope the job works out well for you.

Christian

I'll be on the adult unit, but can work on the others if I pick up shifts (adolescent/dual-diagnosis/detox - its a free-standing facility not in a hospital)

I had zero experience in psych. I have been looking for a job for a while, however, I wasn't really focusing on psych so I'm not sure if I just got lucky, or if I could have started in psych sooner had I just looked. I actually also got offered a job at a children's psych facility, but I turned that one down because the drive was too far.

I will say though, many of my classmates are also starting in psych, so the field has been kinder to new grads than other areas, at least where I live.

. I was a little nervous about going straight into psych right after school not because I was afraid I wouldn't like it but because I was afraid I'd never get out of the specialty if I wanted to

Same here--when I started, I was worried that by going into psych now, I might not be able to get into med-surg later...but I'm finding myself enjoying psych so much that I can see myself doing just that for a long time. I still have a pang or two when I think of med-surg jobs, but then I think of all the downsides to med-surg that I don't have to deal with by working in a psych hospital

I'm off of orientation next week (finally!). I'm starting on the detox unit on a rotating schedule, but I'll try to pick up available shifts on other units when I can.

I just knew you would be awesome! Your posts always sound so sensible and bright. :) It really is more about the individual than their new grad status in my experience. I'm also very happy with my decision to go right to psych.

I really want to go into psych too. I graduate in April '10. Did you have a hard time getting a psych job being a new grad with no experience? I'm trying to get a volunteer position as a crisis counselor right now so that I can get a little experience to help me out with dealing with crisis patients and to be able to have on a resume.

Thanks for your reply in advance.

Hope the job works out well for you.

Christian

I worked as a tech for a year while in school, so I actually had some experience and I do think that helped me get my foot in the door.

Same here--when I started, I was worried that by going into psych now, I might not be able to get into med-surg later...but I'm finding myself enjoying psych so much that I can see myself doing just that for a long time. I still have a pang or two when I think of med-surg jobs, but then I think of all the downsides to med-surg that I don't have to deal with by working in a psych hospital

I'm off of orientation next week (finally!). I'm starting on the detox unit on a rotating schedule, but I'll try to pick up available shifts on other units when I can.

In psych, I can honestly say that I love my job, which is not something I see myself saying if I were working on a medical unit. I would probably switch for the job at my dream hospital working in adolescent med-surg, but there's psych to be had between the kids and the parents of that population too. There are definitely perks to the psych specialty versus med-surg.

I just knew you would be awesome! Your posts always sound so sensible and bright. :) It really is more about the individual than their new grad status in my experience. I'm also very happy with my decision to go right to psych.

:redbeathe Jules A, thanks for your support! I try so hard at my job and I definitely think it shines through in my progress and work. Psych is a great place to be.

I am a new grad who also went straight into psych, and so far, I am absolutely loving it.

I had a week of classroom orientation to the facility and then a week of job shadowing, and then BAM, I was the charge nurse. I've been on my own for three weeks now and things seem to be going well. I'm charge for up to 14 patients, and an LPN gives all the meds for my unit. I always have another charge nurse just a few steps away if I have any questions. I do admissions and discharges, investigate patients' medical complaints, and lots of paperwork.

When I first accepted this job, I was worried about losing skills and wondering if I should hold out for med/surg, even though I hated it in school. But now I love my job and can see myself staying with it a long, long time. I haven't seen any poop, I get to take my breaks, I have supportive co-workers, and I haven't left crying (yet). I feel so lucky.

I am a new grad who also went straight into psych, and so far, I am absolutely loving it.

I had a week of classroom orientation to the facility and then a week of job shadowing, and then BAM, I was the charge nurse. I've been on my own for three weeks now and things seem to be going well. I'm charge for up to 14 patients, and an LPN gives all the meds for my unit. I always have another charge nurse just a few steps away if I have any questions. I do admissions and discharges, investigate patients' medical complaints, and lots of paperwork.

When I first accepted this job, I was worried about losing skills and wondering if I should hold out for med/surg, even though I hated it in school. But now I love my job and can see myself staying with it a long, long time. I haven't seen any poop, I get to take my breaks, I have supportive co-workers, and I haven't left crying (yet). I feel so lucky.

Awesome! I haven't been put in charge yet, but I'm sure it will happen soon enough. It's good that it's working out for you.

It's good to hear you like psych. I'm starting Inpatient adult PRN after starting out (7 mos) as a new grad in med-tele & am hopeful, psych seems a better fit for me. I'm curious, do you work 8 or 12-hr shifts?