Advice on 1st psych job.

[desireepirl]

Hello,

Well my question's are in requards to psych nursing and how you broke into to the speciality? i have been a nurse for 7 years. I worked a variety of Peds home care cases. I am wondering if you would have any advice on how to develope a career in psych nursing? Are there web sites you could recommend to update my psych skills or how to resond to various crisis situations? I have been looking all day to know advail I may add! I would love any advice at this point! I have read the threads in this category and gotten a general knowledge. I would like to know what was your first psych job, did you have any previous pysch exp., and what helped you become a master of this craft so to say? I am interested in a resedential program for peds, in my area! There is a need, and I wanted to know before I apply what if anything I can do or learn that would help me in this career path?

When I was fresh out of school I applyed for a adult res. program and didn't get the job. I remeber specifily being asked about voilent behavior from the pt. and how I would resond! So any advice on what techniques have worked for you on a general illness basis, would be great!

Thanks for the help

Desiree...LPN/ BSN student

[Psychrich]

My first psych job was with residential adol females...25 of them to be exact. Most of them not only had mental health issues but were from inner-city areas where gangs ruled. I somewhat had to learn the hard way, but there are ways to get a broader knowledge. First I would find out where I could get CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) training (http://www.crisisprevention.com) or PMAB (Preventions and Management of Aggressive Behaviors) training. There are many other institutes out there but these two are some of the more common. This training will give you a better foundation for aggressive behaviors. Second, I would read up on psychiatric medications and disorders. NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) can give you a good start. If you want more info you can continue researching databasis or read review guides for psych clinical specialist or nurse practitioners. It may be a little more indepth than you need, but can help you.

GOOD LUCK with your decision.