Adding psych on as a second job? Your thoughts...

[Billy_Ruben]

My husband has been laid off and in an effort to help out I am seeking a second job. I am a new nurse (one year under my belt) and work on a tough fast-paced med surg floor. Currently, I've been able to get a good deal of overtime but it looks like that is coming to an end.

So, I applied to various jobs (I'm not picky). I'm not getting much of a bite on anything except for this on psych job. It's child/adolescent. I am not hugely interested in psych, though not put off by it. I feel like it's one of those things that I won't know until I get in and try and then I'll either love it or hate it. I am willing to try though. I'm pretty open-minded.

What is a usual day shift and night shift like? What personality types are good for this sort of job? Any advice? Do you think two full time jobs will be too much?

Thanks.

[alb402]

IMO and experience, you have to be fairly laid back and not upset easily by things. Especially working in C&A, you'll be called every name in the book and children have a way finding flaws and pointing them out. You just have to be very aware of your triggers and sensitivities and monitor when you're reaching your limit. Also, I think working C&A definitely isn't for everyone. Will they allow you to shadow for a day? Would you be working 8 hour or 12 hour shifts?

Night shift on my unit is fairly quiet. Evening shift gets all of the kids to bed (with the occasional straggler child who doesn't want to go to bed or teen who is having suicidal thoughts) and the majority of the night is spent doing small tasks around the unit and doing admissions (this is our heaviest admission time). Day shift is filled with groups, school, and sessions with the psychiatrists. One nurse goes to treatment team and updates everyone on the kids status from the previous shifts and offers insight into their treatment.

I work 4 8 hour shifts a week and that's plenty for me. Some days are easy and rewarding... Others you're so physically and emotionally exhausted you need a weeks vacation. It's all in what you can handle personally.