Going from psych to med/surg or another specialty

Nurses General Nursing

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Has anyone ever done this, or does it happen often?

I'm a new grad struggling to find a job, and I might have an opportunity in psych. While I might be happy for a while in this area, I know in my heart I want to eventually be doing more medical skills than just passing meds/IM injections..

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Specializes in OrthoRehab/Med-Surg.

I am in psych/home care. I am just starting my clinicals now and I know exactly how you feel. I love working in the dynamic I'm in now, however I yearn for med/nursing practice as well! I can not wait until I'm in the hospital unit (September 20th)! Good luck to you!

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I went from psych to med/surg when my psych unit was closed. I got a great orientation and had no trouble making the switch. By the way, don't assume you won't be doing med/surg things in psych. There are combination units. I did peritoneal dialysis as a psych nurse while it wasn't being done in the rest of the hospital, and have done lots of other med/surg things too. It all depends on where you work.

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Thanks:) I think though since it is a free-standing psych hospital it probably won't come up. I envision my career path going something like this:

free-standing psych hospital-->big hospital psych ward-->med/surg floor or even l&d (would LOVE that)

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I worked in a free-standing psych hospital for awhile too, and we had med/surg patients there, especially in the geriatrics unit! Never say never!

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Thanks :) that is encouraging (not that I've gotten the job yet, I refuse to get my hopes up anymore).

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There is lots of comorbidity in the psych population -- lots of medical problems, recent surgeries, etc. You'd be surprised how much med-surg nursing you do nowadays on a typical psych unit.

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Hmm, this is a child/adolescent hospital. Do you think there will still be m/s opportunities? possibly wound care, if they came in after an cutting episode, anything else?

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I started out in psych, then switched to med/surg with just a 2 week orientation. It wasn't TOO bad. It was rough, but doable. I am back in psych now. I missed it, but am VERY glad that I got that couple years of med/surg experience now. I find it very helpful in understanding a lot.

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Thanks for all the replies :)

Well I now have a tentative offer, so it is becoming more of a reality that I will be starting in psych.

I'd love to hear any other anecdotes of people successfully transitioning to med-surg (or just adding it to their repertoire ;) )

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