Tell me more about psychiatric nursing...

[emptyboxcars]

I will be starting my psychiatric nursing rotation next semester. I have *always* been fascinated by psychology and how people "tick." I am constantly assessing everyone around me to understand where people are coming from and why they are acting the way they do. I have had a true passion to counsel people and help them psychologically from a young age. Naturally, I'm wondering if psych. nursing would be a good fit for me...I would love to hear about the typical job responsibilities of an RN in the psych. field (hospital, office, or otherwise). Can you tell me about your experience with it? Also, how likely is it for a new grad get into this field? Would you recommend a new grad for this field?

[BentleyJazzie]

Great information, Mer....

[Elladora]

There is some great advice in this thread! I found myself nodding (and smiling) a LOT while reading these posts.

I started in psych as a new grad and I loved it (still do). I think you will be surprised at how many skills you will use. Psych isn't "just" treating the mind, it's also treating the medical.

Good luck to you! You are in for a very interesting career!

[2bLVNme]

HaaHAAHa, I compleatly agree. I work in acute Psych. If the floor staff tells u to back up, you had better. Or be willing to participate in the code. At that point there is NO "therapizing" the.. Just be reAdy for the S&R paper work. Keep them smoked, hydrated and medicated and u will have a good shift...

[emptyboxcars]

Thank you for all of the great advice! Albeit, I must say some of you have made me a little fearful! LOL. I think geropsychology sounds like a good possibility for me. It's been wonderful hearing from all of you about your responsibilities and your experiences. Thanks again, everyone! And I'd love to hear from more people if anyone else has anything to add!

[docpsychrn]

Hi there! I've been a psych nurse for over 23 years...I love psychiatric nursing! I too worried about my medical skills but I took a 2 year break to work on a step down unit/med surg to get my skills back up to par. I have no problems with drawing blood, starting IV's or giving IM's. As for the harder skills like chest tubes, trachs, traction etc...psych will never take those kind of patients because of their medical status. If you could work PRN medical unit while working psych, this would allow you to gain skill in medical yet keep your job in psych. Also, be the first one that is willing to float to medical when your unit is overstaffed. As for being a psych nurse, it's what you make it. The main thing is to listen and observe. It takes many years to learn the many aspects of mental health and when a patient is in crisis etc. Always remember safety is the most important part of your job. Whether it's your safety or the patients safety. Never feel bad if you call for help and always have someone with you when you have to talk to a patient and you feel it's going to upset that pt. If you are lucky, you have electronic charting if not, most of your time your nose is stuck in the chart charting everything by hand and revising treatment plans etc. Don't ignore your patients as this is a critical time in their illness. Set a specific time that you can talk to them so that they know upfront you are not going to sit there for the next 8 hrs. This is most useful with your borderlines. Never show your fear. You can be scared to death...just don't show it. YOU are the one in control, they aren't. YOU are the one that decides what the game plan is going to be and YOU offer that pt the choices he has vs him going off and hurting someone. I wish you all the best and if you love it, stick around it gets better!!! Take care!!