Accepted position to be a pysch nurse:)

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

I am an LPN who has always worked in the outpatient clinic setting. I applied for a position at our local pysch hospital, which is privately owned and I got the job. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I will be working 6pm-630am 3 days a week, every 3rd weekend and every 3rd holiday. I have never worked nights before, so it will be very different for me and I am already making plans on how to acclimate my self to the new schedule. The pay is fantastic.

I have been out of nursing for 7 months and now I am on my way back.

I have to be truthful when I say that I never had a big desire to work pysch, but some how my path has lead me in that direction ( I hope I have found my niche). I look forward to the challenge and the chance to help those with mental illness lead a normal life.

Wish me luck on my new career move and any and all advice is welcome.

nd_mom

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Congratulations and good luck!

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

Thank you so much for replying Jules A. I am nervous and excited at the same time. Your good luck means alot!

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I too have accepted a new position as a pysch nurse.

Congratulations to you.

I too am nervous. This is my first job since graduating in May as a RN. I wish I could get past this fear better than how I am. I know I don't know all that I need to and seeing the fast pace that people are moving at work, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up.

Help!:o

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.
I too have accepted a new position as a pysch nurse.

Congratulations to you.

I too am nervous. This is my first job since graduating in May as a RN. I wish I could get past this fear better than how I am. I know I don't know all that I need to and seeing the fast pace that people are moving at work, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up.

Help!:o

Yes, I do understand how nervous you are, because I feel the same way. I am venturing into the night shift, which I have never worked before. So many unkowns.

Congratulations too you also ABC77 and the best of luck to you on your new venture.

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Specializes in psychiatry,geropsych,LTC/SNF, hospice.

Congratulations to both of you! I've been in the psych field for 15 years, 8 as an RN, and have never found it dull or boring. :wink2:

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

Thank you for your reply Lourain, it is greatly appreciated.

I have been thinking about this job over the weekend and I have some concerns about working in pysch.

I can be a nervous person at times especially when it comes to violence. I tend to get the flight or fight syndrome. I have a brother who is has mental illness actually believes he is a profit from God at times. He makes me nervous so I stay away from him. He is not on any medications and would never believe that he has a mental illness. He has tried to hurt my mom in the past, so I choose to stay away from him. I grew up in a very violent home and I am sure this is why I am gun shy as you can say.

Anyways my concern is the type of patients I will come in contact with. Will I abe able to handle myself around a potientally violent patient. I am actually making myself sick to my stomach thinking about it.

I also am not sure if I can handle the night shift. Never have worked nights so I really dont know.

Am I cut out to be a pysch nurse or am I setting myself up for failure?

Have any of you pysch nurses expierenced these type of feelings and do they eventually go away.

I would really apprecitaed any advice any of you could give me. I dont want to make a mistake here.

What does it take to be a pysch nurse?

Please advise.

nd_mom

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

Well I called and declined the pysch nurse position stating that I feel I would be unable to work nights since I am such a day person. I did alot of soul searching these last 5 days and came to the understanding that I am not cut out for pysch. I feel I would get to nervous and stressed. I feel sad that now I have to start looking once again. Oh well as the saying goes "life goes on". I am a good nurse, I just need to find my place.

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Specializes in Psych.

If you change your mind some day, just know that it is normal to be apprehensive. I have worked in acute psych for 19 years and still feel nervous before work when I know that we have assaultive patients on the unit. Fight or flight is just human nature, and helps to keep us safe and alert. Good luck with your job hunt.

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