Why did you become a Psych Nurse?

JustKeepDriving · Aug 30, 2013

I'm a new graduate and I just finished my orientation as a Float Pool Mental Health Nurse at a state psychiatric facility for the forensic stabilization units. This is my first nursing job and so far I really love it. I love the team work and collaboration of psychiatric nursing and I find the work extremely interesting.

I live in the PacNW and getting a job as a new graduate is tough. Acute care hospitals only hire through new grad programs - and those get 1000+ applications for a measly 3 new graduate positions. This means that even the areas of nursing that some consider 'less desirable' (LTC, Clinic, Psych, Corrections, Rehabilitation ect.) are able to be really picky about who they hire on as RN's because there is such an abundance of new graduates to choose from. I originally really wanted to get an acute care job, because like many other new graduates, I really wanted to cement in the clinical skills that I learned during nursing school. Unfortunately, that just wasn't possible because everywhere wanted experience and it is impossible to get experience if the only way to get a job is to already have experience. So I decided to use my first degree (B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior) as a way to land my first job as a nurse (before I got my BSN I wanted to be a social worker and had completed the required 600 volunteer hours in the mental health field + research that were required for entrance to the MSW program). My research project for my first degree was with individuals who were involved in the legal system (parole, formal & informal probation, in custody ect.) and figured that and all my volunteer hours would help me to stand out as a new graduate (which lucky for me it did).

I really like psych - it's interesting and I find watching patients go from disorganized, labile, word - salad to coherent awesome individuals, super rewarding. Even though I work with criminals, I try very hard to stick to my values (Empathy, Genuineness, and Unconditional Positive regard - I'm a huge fan of Carl Rogers) and I find that it does a lot to keep my perspective really positive, even on the worst days.

I heard over and over from faculty members and other nurses that, "If you don't do your mandatory 1 year of med-surg that you'll be pigeon-holed in (*insert non-acute care nursing specialty here*) forever!!!". I really don't believe that is the case because psych skills are one of the foundations of all nursing - the ability to create healing, professional, therapeutic relationships with patients, and the populations served by psych nurses are also present in all other areas of nursing.

I wish you much luck in your schooling and in your career!

pinkiepieRN · Aug 30, 2013

I was anxious about feeling comfortable during my psych clinical even though I had some mental health issues of my own, so I started working as a float pool mental health worker during the summer after my junior year of my BSN program. I loved working in the psych hospital. I aced psych nursing and kept it in the back of my mind. I did my senior practicum on an adolescent med-surg floor and although I did like the medical procedures and skills, I found myself using my psych skills (therapeutic communication, rapport setting) with patients, family members and even other nurses!

I went on a few interviews as a new grad before my psych one but I was offered the psych job very quickly. They offered days OR nights and at least 8 weeks of orientation. I had 12 weeks actually and eventually switched from nights to days but I loved it. I got out because of the politics, but I loved my patients! I just settled into LTC/nursing home 4 months ago and I see so much psych here too. At least 1/3 of my residents are on one or more psych meds and being in a NH can be kind of depressing and lonely. I use my psych experience almost everyday. It also comes in handy with confused, combative little old ladies!

Alicia_Has_Tats · Oct 16, 2013

Thanks for the responses!

I've been busy trying to pass my Pharm class lol

I think I've made up my mind to go right into psych. I just feel like I wouldn't be comfortable in med/surg.

I love everything psych has to offer. I can't wait to be done with school!!

I'd love to hear more :)

NurseJamie8 · Oct 17, 2013

I also like reading all of these replies! I graduated nursing school a year ago and it was very tough to find a job. I finally landed one in a LTC facility on the locked unit. I got to see a lot of psych problems and when I was looking for another job a couple weeks ago I saw one for a psych facility so I applied and got it. During school I also was really interested in psych portion and the clinical. I didn't have the year of med surg after graduation and a lot of my classmates haven't either. I think it all depends on what your interested in, so if it's psych go for it!