Is it safe for me to start in psych nursing?

RatchedAfterMidnight, MSN, APRN · Dec 29, 2014

Hello! I am a new grad who started in psych last May after getting my BSN. In fact, I work for a Springstone Hospital and it was the best decision I've ever made! Springstone is a great company that cares about their employees and management is very visible and involved. If you love psych, do not give up the opportunity. You can always go back and do a residency in another area if you change your mind. Once you hit you "golden year" of RN experience, you can get into any residency you want for a change in career. I was told over and over again by advisors that "everyone" should go get med-surg experience before doing anything else, but I must say I have a lot of "med-surg moments" in psych as well. Diabetics, severe asthma attacks, anaphylactic reactions, hypertension, stomach ulcers, wounds, oxygen dependent patients, you name it. Psych requires a lot of critical thinking skills (is this medical or is this a psych/somatic issue?, etc.) and would be a great backbone should you ever choose to change. "Everyone" telling you that psych nurses are less hirable should open their minds. Take the job :yes: Feel free to PM me if you have any specific Springstone questions

quixotic.dy · Dec 29, 2014

I have found that everyone says to go to med/surg because that used to be the only option for new grads & old school nurses don't think you have earned the right to start out anywhere else.

I would suggest applying at multiple places and if the psych nurse position is the best one then take it. But maybe something else will present itself that's better. You just don't know.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 29, 2014

If you want to start in psych, start in psych! You're going to learn a lot of the same new grad ropes (time management, prioritization, etc.) in psych as you'd learn in m/s or other specialty. You are going to learn a different skill set, but that's with any specialty. You will have to keep your medical knowledge up because psych patients do have medical conditions that will need your attention.

As far as not starting in m/s limiting future options...many facilities are asking for RECENT experience, as in within the last three years. So that first year in m/s becomes less valuable the longer you stay in another specialty. This point was driven home to me recently as a coworker was turned down for a transfer to a m/s position. She had prior m/s experience, but the last time she worked acute care was several years ago--and so they told her that she had been away too long. Just something for you to keep in mind.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

futuresctRN · Dec 30, 2014

Thanks for the input! I think what everyone said was very valid. My clinical professor for psych told me with her MSN, that she can't get a staff RN job in a typical m/s unit because she doesn't have any recent experience. She told me to absolutely get acute care first. So, it has really made me think!

Dallasmiss, that's AWESOME. I'm so glad you told me that! I might just have to pm you :) it's so nice to meet people on here that are so similar. I love working there, it's not your typical "psych" facility...I feel like its of a much higher quality? I Have a lot of friends there and the nurses are awesome. I love it. Maybe I can get a job there part time/prn...and shoot for acute care too.

Question: Could I take a job there and get a med surg residency within that year or after? Have people done that?

psychnursie · Dec 30, 2014

I started in psych and never looked back. however, I wouldn't work med/surg if you had a gun to my head! in psych I always get out on time.

abbyolivia1 · Dec 30, 2014

I graduated in June, and began working at a psych hospital last month, in November. I absolutely love it. I was also worried, as people like to offer their two cents, and was told I should "always start in M/S". However, I have confidence that, after my first year here, I'll be able to nail any interview I go on, as I'll feel like an accomplished nurse, and I'll have very real experience. And, as somebody else commented, psychiatric nurses also have very real M/S moments, as well. Plenty of patients with asthma, seizures, COPD, CDiff, dementia, chronic CHF, Etc. It happens. I am all for you taking the psych job- you'll be happy, and later down the road, if you want to add a second job, you'll be more confident and experienced. Good luck!:):)

RatchedAfterMidnight, MSN, APRN · Dec 31, 2014

Futuresctrn:I know people who work PRN for both med/surg and psych, people who went back to a med/surg or ER residency FT and stayed PRN Psych, the options are limitless! Whatever you decide though, make sure you're picking a positive work environment with supportive coworkers: it can really make or break any job. I turned down what I thought was my "dream job" in cardiac because the work environment was toxic with a lot of rumors/backstabbing. I picked the Springstone job on a gut feeling/positive vibes and haven't looked back whatsoever!

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2014

In ICU we deal with a lot of psychiatric patients, but then every department does to some extent.

We see a lot of suicide attempts by overdose, hanging or self inflicted GSW as well as alcohol and opiate detox pts and seizure disorders. Knowing how to assess and treat these patients can only benefit you in your practice as a psych nurse.

I think some kind of M/S ED or ICU experience would be a good foundation and help you to develop confidence in your physical health assessment skills and interventions, as well as make you more marketable as a young nurse.

JessicaDanielle · Dec 31, 2014

I started as a new grad in psych and left after two months. There wasn't nearly enough skills or critical thinking moments to satisfy me. I transferred to an icu step down/cardiac unit and got amazing experience! If I hadn't left that psych job, I would have hate a very difficult time getting skills back. A transition from med/surg to psych would be rather easy as you get a ton of psych experience in the hospital! However, transitioning from psych to med/surg may be more difficult.