Any mental health nurses work per diem in acute care?

[Rabid Response]

Hi all. I've been working in an ICU/CCU since graduating in '07. While I do enjoy my job, I continue to remember how much I loved my psych clinical in nursing school. I'm seriously considering switching areas and applying for jobs in mental health nursing. However, I don't want to give up critical care nursing entirely. I was hoping that I could work per diem a few days a month in an ICU while working full time in a mental health facility. Does anyone else do this? Can I make it work? Any and all input would be appreciated.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I've worked with people who worked medsurg and psych, and one who worked oncology and parish nursing. The thing is to be able to get benefits befitting the hours you work. If you're going to do both types of nursing at the same facility, it often can be negotiated.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

That would be a great way to keep up your skills. I've been out of critical care for a couple of years now. The rust is already starting to build. You can get a taste of what psych nursing is really like, day in and day out. I think it's a great idea.