How physical is psychiatric nursing?

[fiba]

Does one need to be very fit physically to become a psychiatric nurse?

I am quite fit, but have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis on my two knees. Will be seeing an orthopedic sometime soon.

Doctor told me to continue my physical activity, but not anything that places too much pressure on my knees.

[fiba]

Great wisdom. Great question. Let me say this; When a patient is detained and they tell you, " If you don't let me leave, I'm leaving anyway, " I need to be prepared. Sometimes staff is so busy, it takes a couple of minutes to get assistance.

sounds like some of the experiences that I have dealt with.

lots of insightful posts from everyone

Thank you =). I asked the psych nurse where I volunteer about the job. Told me that he has never been hit before and he worked at Riverview in BC for 30 years.

=0 the man knows what he is talking about.

For those who do not live in British Columbia, Riverview is an institution where the most mentally ill go to get the care and treatment needed. But it was shut down and this had lead to a lot of problems here in British Columbia with the mentally ill.

Lots of calls police handle are mental health related btw.

The nurse told me that it really boils down to how one communicates with patients. There is a potential for violence and he said he has seen staff get hit. But it was really about how they talked to the patients.

Some staff he told me had a problem with power/authority contol over the patients.

I was also told that if I decide to pursue this work that I need to be aware violence can happen, but won't necessarily will.

Said it's much different than dealing with what police do. Which is dealing with criminals. Said in the psych nursing field, it's really about people who are not doing well mentally. Not offenders unless one goes into forensic nursing.