ajt575s

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1. Looking for Psych Reference (Non-textbook)

   ajt575s replied to katelintolman's topic in Psychiatric

   How about Psychiatric Nursing Made Incredibly Easy? You can find it on amazon. I have found that series to be very helpful in nursing school.

2. Psychiatric RN Vs. Counselor

   ajt575s replied to SugarBabe99's topic in Psychiatric

   I get to talk with the patients quite a bit. RNs aren't usually only doing med passes, though that can encompass much of your time. We usually have a nurse assigned to meds and a nurse assigned to charge, and we rotate these responsibilities. I was d...

3. RN who's also a psych patient?

   ajt575s replied to ella-RN's topic in Psychiatric

   I agree with you. Do not apply to a place where you have been a patient--it's a conflict of interest. We have had patients who wanted to apply as techs after spending some time in our facility, but they were not allowed to do so. Also, we've had pati...

4. Volunteer opportunities? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

   ajt575s replied to lbiesemeRN's topic in New Nurse

   What about the Red Cross or local hospitals? Also, you might look into local low-income clinics. Best wishes!

5. Psychiatric RN Vs. Counselor

   ajt575s replied to SugarBabe99's topic in Psychiatric

   I'm a new grad who started in psych, so it can be done. I would strongly suggest that you shadow a counselor/therapist and a psych RN to better understand what their roles are, because they do very different things. Depending on your facility, of cou...

6. Thinking about changing fields

   ajt575s replied to Momof2inMO's topic in Career Support

   Forgot to mention--I know for sure that Cox Health in Springfield, MO does have a "experienced nurse internship" program for critical care and several other areas. It's about 3 hours south of KC. Just call the HR department if you're interested.

7. Thinking about changing fields

   ajt575s replied to Momof2inMO's topic in Career Support

   I would recommend calling Truman, KU medical center, and the VA. The VA may be a surprising one for you, since most VA hospitals don't seem to offer fellowships, but the one in Kansas City offers critical care fellowships for new grads, so I wonder i...

8. No, I am not going to do that

   ajt575s replied to ShayRN's topic in General Nursing

   This gave me a much-needed laugh today!

9. Mandatory overtime?

   ajt575s replied to ajt575s's topic in General Nursing

   I think I should have been more specific. I mean mandatory overtime (which we call "being mandated") in that you are already there, getting ready to finish your shift and leave, then you get a call from the supervisor stating that you are "mandated" ...

10. Mandatory overtime?

    ajt575s posted a topic in General Nursing

    How many of your facilities use mandatory overtime as a staffing solution? My employer staffs us inadequately to begin with, then if there's a call in, we end up getting mandated. This has been happening at least once a week lately, plus people find ...

11. How to deal with mean old men

    ajt575s replied to AMCNurse's topic in General Nursing

    I think you did the right thing really, and dudette10's suggestion was good, as well. I work in psych, so I have to deescalate people all the time who are often aggressive and rude like this guy. Usually, the trick is to remain very calm and not real...

12. Staffing Levels in Psych

    ajt575s posted a topic in Psychiatric

    What are typical staffing levels in psych? We're always full and have a general mix of adult patients (many with chronic and acute medical problems, as well). We get geriatric patients, acute schizophrenics, borderlines, depressed patients, manic pat...

13. DILEMMA: Just got hired as a psych nurse BUT want to apply to new grad programs

    ajt575s replied to RoyalNurseBSN's topic in New Nurse

    Just to reassure you: I work in psych also. I don't think you'll necessarily get "stuck" in psych, though it may depend on your location. I have seen several psych nurses at my facility leave for medical jobs without prior medical experience, one or ...

14. What Do You Think You Needed To Learn in School, But Didn't

    ajt575s replied to xtxrn's topic in New Nurse

    I'm in psych right now, and I'm finding that my psych class was not helpful at all. We spent the whole time going over various types of disorders and therapeutic communication for each disease process. During our clinicals, we barely spent any time w...

15. New grad can't find a job in Missouri.

    ajt575s replied to Michellebelle2011's topic in Missouri

    Have you tried the University of Missouri hospital in Columbia? They hire new grads.