Accepted psych position..am now unsure due to family history......

[Gratefulprn]

Depression/anxiety runs in my family including one of my parents (both now deceased) that was a true bipolar...several suicide attempts/hospitalizations UNTIL properly diagnosed and placed on medication which helped a LOT. Most of this took place while I growing up and didn't level off until I was about 13 w/this parent. Keep in mind, as some of you on here will know, medications for depression, etc. weren't readily available in the 1970's and 80's but once a doctor took a REAL look at my parents history, hospitalizations etc. He realized this was more than just situational etc. My other parent suffered from depression later after a debilitating stroke, my grandparents suffered from depression, only one was willing to take meds. for it..no substance abuse issues in my family.

Fast forward to now...I have accepted a FT (12 hour shift) position on a psych unit that will cater to adults, mostly over age 50. I have never worked true psych before....when I interviewed I thought my own struggles w/depression/anxiety coupled w/my nursing experience and personal experience in this area would be beneficial in my providing care. Now I'm not so sure..I haven't started yet and already I am WAY anxious over this position...going from PRN (where I'm at now) to FT plus the change and my own current struggles. I have another option which is a part time position in an ALF that is not direct patient care. I NEED to work - we do not live above our means at ALL but having worked PRN and w/hours cut because everyone else needs overtime has got us hurting. I do not have children. The part time position is salaried. It's not my "dream" job but it's $ and would give me some breathing room. The psych job would be something new, FT and I should be happy about it - I AM grateful - but I don't want my personal past - which was VERY difficult though I had GREAT parents - to crop back up and make me ineffective at helping someone else - it's tough being a psych patient but it's tough being a family member of someone in a psych facility too...

Thank you in advance for your opinion.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm not you, so I can't tell you how you will handle working there. However, I can tell you that there are a lot of psych nurses who have/had psych problems and are able to work effectively. Some keep psych problems separate from their jobs; others draw upon their experiences to help their patients, and a few are open books as far as their psych history goes.

One thing I would suggest is that you not work at a facility where you were an inpatient. HIPAA would prevent staff there from ever disclosing your stay to others, but HIPAA doesn't protect against patients saying things like "I think that nurse was my roommate when I was here four years ago!" As you know, a lot of psych patients have multiple admissions over their lifetime so it's possible you'd cross paths with former fellow patients. Just my opinion on that.

Perhaps there is someone you can talk with who is more knowledgable about your psych history--such as your psychiatrist or therapist--who would be able to provide better feedback than I about what would be best for you. I just wanted to let you know that having a psych history isn't necessarily a psych nursing career killer--only you can decide that.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

[birdsongRN]

I think psych nursing is very rewarding. Here are my suggetions, for what they are worth:

1. Consider getting some counseling from a trusted professional to sort out any issues that may remain from your childhood. Speaking from experience, it is important to help myself heal to help heal others.

2. If you still feel like psych nursing is for you, go for it! Love it.

The stigma of mental health issues is real & alive. I think we are responsible for changing our own perspectives to change those that we touch in our lives. Best to you.

[seizetheday]

Here is a thread on this topic from a couple years ago that you may find helpful.

https://allnurses.com/psychiatric-nursing/psychiatric-nursing-mental-437135.html

[Marshall1]

I have no advice but I can tell you that I have recently interviewed/been offered a position on a geri-psych unit and I am not sure the management grasps how unstable and potentially violent psych patients over 60 can be. I am beginning to think this is going to be a dumping ground unit for the nursing home that is attached to the hospital for the dementia patients that get too difficult for staff to handle. I plan to give it some time but am not sure this particular hospitals approach. As for you, give it a week or two - then decide.

[NICU<3RN]

There are SO MANY psych nurses, therapists, social workers, behavioral health specialists, etc., that have had their own past struggles with mental illness, addiction, etc.. In this profession it is actually helpful to see where the patients are coming from and how to best help them. :) Keep yourself seprate from work, but use the knowledge of the disease process to help you teach and work with the patients. If you can do that, you will be awesome. Sometimes, the way to jump start your own recovery is through helping others with the same problem. And, if you feel yourself falling backward, do get out.. it would be dangerous for your health, of course, but if you are far enough along in your struggles and still not in the depths of your disease I'd say, the position may be a good thing :)

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

I work on a psych unit and our normal saying is that difference between the patients and the staff is that the staff has the keys. Many of my coworkers, and myself, have had psych issues ( some are bipolar, ive had depression) and my family has many psych issues. That said, when doing a 1:1 it does help. I have told my experiences to some patients, especially when they do the You dont know what Im going through you have never felt this way.

[pitapita]

I was very much in the same boat as you when I decided to take my psych nursing job. I have only benefitted from my personal experiences - I find it helps me to empathize with the patients more. It also keeps me from judging patients too quickly. What you read about someone in their chart doesn't always reflect who they really are. Don't doubt yourself - I'm sure you would prove to be an asset to your unit! Good luck!!-

[caliotter3]

I can not tell you what you will be able to handle and what will cause you severe distress. You will have to see for yourself. I would look upon this as an opportunity to grow. Use your past experience as an aid in being able to understand these patients as people. You will be better able to assist them in their recovery with your personal insight. Don't put yourself down. You can do this if you remember to approach your job from a professional as well as compassionate viewpoint. It also won't hurt to remind yourself how important your job is to the well being of your family. Keep things in perspective!