psych nursing while pregnant/adult vs adolescent

[KBRN2013]

I applied for a job at a mental health facility. I did not realize until I submitted my app that it is for the "STAR" program for children 5-14. (Sexual trauma and abuse recovery). Honestly, I don't know if im cut out for that. (but, will be working per diem so I wont be around it everyday)

It pays $30/hr for per diem which is what I want since I am a new mom , and $35 for full time which I will want to go to eventually. That is EXCELLENT pay compared to what I was paid in the hospital setting ($19/hr). This facility is opening an adult unit in April. In nursing school, we only did 2 days in a psych setting but I liked the adult unit better, but that was 4 years ago. My question is, should I ask to shadow both units in April or should I just take what I can get? Also, if im planning on having a baby in the next couple of years, is psych a bad idea? I understand there is a risk of getting injured by pts in any setting. Would there be any less of a risk with adults or adolescents?

Thanks

KB

[Cackalacky]

I've worked with nurses that are pregnant on psych units. We had a hospital policy that wouldn't allow a pregnant women work on a unit that had a patient that was known to attack women who are pregant. So, the nurse would be pulled to another unit until the patient was discharged or she had her baby.

Though, how safe you feel would definitely depend on your unit or hospital.

I enjoyed working with adults more also, though that doesn't mean you won't find joy in working with the children. I enjoyed adults more, but I didn't not enjoy working with children. I just found the children more difficult to work at times, especially as a new nurse.

If you can shadow in both, I think you should try.

I personally don't know of an increased risk between adults and adolescents. Though, there may be.

[macfar28]

I would definitely ask to shadow in both areas. As far as safety, patient assaults against staff happen in all areas of nursing. When I was pregnant, my coworkers were extra protective of me on the unit. They tended to keep me off our acute hall as well. I wasn't allowed to participate in any of our emergent restraint codes. My biggest challenge was getting a bathroom break and something to eat!! Good luck.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

In the past year our unit has had 3 staff members give birth. The only thing they did not do was restraints.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I worked inpatient while pregnant. Once word got out, my charge nurse would not let me get me involved hands-on in codes, but instead would have me calling MDs, prepping meds, working crowd control, and doing other background tasks.

I ended up stopping inpatient work halfway through the pregnancy, as my pregnancy was high-risk. But I had a coworker who worked until her 9th month.