I just interviewed for a position in a psych unit and the unit manager seemed very particular asking me if I was able to keep up especially with paperwork since she is looking for someone who can cross train into charge nurse. She asked how much orientation I wanted and I told her that I'm ok with anything from 4-12 weeks which is pretty much the average in many units. She seemed taken aback and replied that 12 weeks sounds more like a new grad internship... bla bla bla.
Long story short, I think I did ok. I have psych background in an inpatient long term psych facility but not in a hospital setting.
I was wondering if anyone here can describe a typical day on your unit. I'm sure that with psych patients no two days are the same but I'd like to know what you do so I can have a better understanding of what I'm getting into before I accept a position.
Nick, I think you have missed the mark in focusing on the negative connotations of the diction in the post you are responding to. Mental health patients absolutely lie to get what they want, and look for ways to manipulate staff to serve their own desires. This is not only true in mental health but in education, child care, and medicine in general. I find it hard to believe that people, especially people needing inpatient mental health services, are not self-serving and manipulative in other English-speaking nations. Maybe you have chosen the right placements to where you have few challenging clients. In my scant ten years working in mental health, I would say that all of my patients have been challenging in one way or another, but each relationship has also been rewarding in some way. Also, without exception, from a six year old on the emotionally disturbed spectrum, to a 68 year old veteran dealing with substance abuse, every one of my clients has tried to get what they want by lieing at least once.
Nick, I think you have missed the mark in focusing on the negative connotations of the diction in the post you are responding to. Mental health patients absolutely lie to get what they want, and look for ways to manipulate staff to serve their own desires. This is not only true in mental health but in education, child care, and medicine in general. I find it hard to believe that people, especially people needing inpatient mental health services, are not self-serving and manipulative in other English-speaking nations. Maybe you have chosen the right placements to where you have few challenging clients. In my scant ten years working in mental health, I would say that all of my patients have been challenging in one way or another, but each relationship has also been rewarding in some way. Also, without exception, from a six year old on the emotionally disturbed spectrum, to a 68 year old veteran dealing with substance abuse, every one of my clients has tried to get what they want by lieing at least once.
Normal human behaviour. Who would have thought it?
texasivy1
2 Posts
I also work in an inpatient adult psych, (45yo and up) and you described a day in the psych unit perfectly!