1st Psych Nursing Job starts Monday, any advice? - page 2

Shame on the person who told you that "they eat their young there!" instead of congratulating you on your new position and giving you words of encouragement. You now get to start your new job already apprehensive of your new co-workers and a tainted view of what might be in store for you. What is wrong with people?! Anyway, I wish you nothing but the best-and previous posters are correct-please listen to your new co-workers and watch for non-verbal signs that can tell you something is just not right. Most of all, be yourself, be genuine and honest, and I'm sure they will all take a liking to you-and someone is bound to take you under their wing-as it should be!

I also work at a county facility and can say honestly that there are great difficulties with staff. My motto has been "Forget the patients, beware of the staff!". Regardless, I love my job and learn something new every single day. There are truly a few coworkers, and you will know them quickly, who will gladly throw you under the bus. The part to remember is to be yourself. I finally realized that I'm not there to get my coworkers to like me. I'm there to work and help my patients to get through the night.

On that note, beware of your surroundings, always. Listen to your gut, always. Watch personal space because it's difficult to step back safely when a very angry psychotic patient is in yours. Be respectful to your patients. Even when I'm de-escalating, or have to put someone in restraints, I don't get angry and always am respectful. It's not personal and when I remove restraints, I'm done and treat them just as before. That can be difficult when a pt has just physically assaulted one of your favorite coworkers! Also, take a few minutes every time you work to look up one facility policy and procedure. The facility I'm at has hundreds if not thousands. One a day will help you get to know the place and what to do to survive with your job intact. Oh and congratulations!!! I wouldn't give up behavioral health for anything!!

Be compassionate. Too many psych nurses act like their patients are a bother to them. Remember that if they're in that type of facility, they're hurting.

I have to say I was shocked at first by my coworkers attitudes towards the patients. I have heard this about other facilities as well. They say the most derogatory things about them during report - often outright mocking them, ect. I got tired of the "frequent fliers." Those patients who come back multiple times and seem to know how to work the system, if you know what I mean. Often it was really boring, especially working the night shift.