2nd Interview for mental health RN

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

Hello! I interviewed for an RN position last week in a mental health unit, and I just got a call for a second interview for tomorrow! I'm a new grad, so I'm very excited and nervous :nailbiting: The unit is 90 beds (30 men/30 women/30 kids) and has an open unit and locked unit on each of the 3 floors. I would float between the open and locked unit, and although I'd be assigned to women, I'd also float floors. Psych has always interested me, and I know I'll enjoy doing it.

My question is this: My career goal has always been ED nursing. I understand, as a new grad, getting into the ED (espcially where I live) is tough, so I'm VERY open to starting in another unit to get some experience and "get my foot in the door" so to speak. Do you think I will have trouble transferring from mental health to the ED or a med floor?

I'm just looking for some advice - I know it's up to me and what my heart tells me, but I like to see all sides of things when possible!

Thanks!!

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Hello! I interviewed for an RN position last week in a mental health unit, and I just got a call for a second interview for tomorrow! I'm a new grad, so I'm very excited and nervous :nailbiting: The unit is 90 beds (30 men/30 women/30 kids) and has an open unit and locked unit on each of the 3 floors. I would float between the open and locked unit, and although I'd be assigned to women, I'd also float floors. Psych has always interested me, and I know I'll enjoy doing it.

My question is this: My career goal has always been ED nursing. I understand, as a new grad, getting into the ED (espcially where I live) is tough, so I'm VERY open to starting in another unit to get some experience and "get my foot in the door" so to speak. Do you think I will have trouble transferring from mental health to the ED or a med floor?

I'm just looking for some advice - I know it's up to me and what my heart tells me, but I like to see all sides of things when possible!

Thanks!!

You can go into Any of the fields, but Pshyciatric is a good start. I have been a pshyc nurse for 15 years. I have worked ICU ,pacu,OR,post-partum,l@d,etc... Take the risk. It's a very interesting and rewording field

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I have been a psych RN for almost five years. It was the first and only nursing position that I applied for as a new grad. No real reason, I just saw the opening & applied. When I was offered the position-I took it & didn't think twice.

I have enjoyed my job, but....be careful going into psych as a new grad. There are certain skills that you learn in nursing school and will not use in psych. I think when you dont use- you lose! I now have a fear of leaving psych because I have not used those skills in 5 years. Psych nursing allows for the occasional NS IV fluids (rarely) and the even rarer catheter. But if there is any emergency, we call 911 & an ambulance takes our patient a 1/2 block away to our main hospital. We have a crash cart that has an ambu bag, IV start kit & fluids, O2 masks & that's about it. No emergency meds.

With that being said, I will tell you that I do enjoy my job. It is probably not as fulfilling as medical nursing. I get cursed & threatened more often than not. I work our detox unit & there is nothing worse than telling an involuntarily committed addict that "Sorry, the doctor has stopped ALL of your pain meds & benzos, but I can give you some tylenol & vistaril instead". Now, that's always an ugly situation. Rarely do I ever get a genuine "thank you", if it is heard then it's most likely one of our manipulative staff splitters that you have to be very weary of. Of course there is perks too. It can be fun. & it can be very easy. You have the opportunity to meet people when they are on their way back up from rock bottom, and there is a great feeling of internal reward here. Although psych patients can flip on a dime, usually any decline in health is not sudden & you have the opportunity to intervene before it gets critical. If I could do it over, I would definitely go into med surg or a specialty that allowed me to apply the things I learned in school. I have been told over & over that skills come back to you, but I am not sure of this. If u have the choice to work any medical unit as a new grad then u should take it, and then later switch to psych.

0 Votes
Hello! I interviewed for an RN position last week in a mental health unit, and I just got a call for a second interview for tomorrow! I'm a new grad, so I'm very excited and nervous :nailbiting: The unit is 90 beds (30 men/30 women/30 kids) and has an open unit and locked unit on each of the 3 floors. I would float between the open and locked unit, and although I'd be assigned to women, I'd also float floors. Psych has always interested me, and I know I'll enjoy doing it.

My question is this: My career goal has always been ED nursing. I understand, as a new grad, getting into the ED (espcially where I live) is tough, so I'm VERY open to starting in another unit to get some experience and "get my foot in the door" so to speak. Do you think I will have trouble transferring from mental health to the ED or a med floor?

I'm just looking for some advice - I know it's up to me and what my heart tells me, but I like to see all sides of things when possible!

Thanks!!

What kind of questions did they Ask you during your interview? If you mind me asking.

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