I'm wondering is counselling involved as a psychiatric nurse? I am an INFJ
I know for myself what interested me in to possibly change into this field is the interaction with patients and the hospital and medical environment. And I have some courses that transfer into the psych nursing program. I currently volunteer at a mental health facility and lead a group to play word games, etcc.
I enjoy helping others including people with mental health problems. It certainly is a value I can really look up to since I have dealt with family members with these issues, everything from going to the hospital and waiting for them and even when the actual crisis happened. Then seeing the recovery.
I also have family members that were in the medical field and the psych nursing field feels relatable to me.
I know my personality likes to counsel and help people, but I with age have gained an interest in mental health. Studying to become a psych social worker takes too long.
And trying to become a clinical counselor also takes forever and a lot of money. There is the child and youth counselling route. But I don't know if I will feel the challenge in that field.
Also on a side note I'm not good at science but luckily for me where I would take the program I need to take Biology not physics or chemistry, which I know I could handle.
I'm wondering what are some thoughts on those that work in this field? would I be getting into the wrong field if my goal is to use some counseling, help others that may be experiencing mental health problems and work in a hospital or psych setting? I'm good working 1-1 or group work.
I am an INFJ. Psych so far has been a pretty good fit [discounting the trauma I suffered after being assaulted my a pt in his home). The job requires a lot of supportive listening, therapeutic support, motivational interviewing, psycho ed which are all forms of "counselling". I think the operative word is that you cannot provide psychotherapy, if that makes sense.
Now I know you will have to go through nursing school to become a psych nurse. I dont know if it's TRUE for INFJs but I felt like a deer in headlights during med surgery clinicals. Also keep in mind that if you work on an input unit, often there is not much time in the day to chat with patients for any extended period. You are more there to keep the pts and the milieu safe. It's a bit different if you work in output.
This is a very sort of taxing for an introvert. INFJs are supposed to be the most extroverted appearing out of all the I configurations but the job takes a lot out of you. I know when I get home from work, I have had more than enough social interaction for the day and I need at least an hour to decompress and just be away from people.
TerpGal02, ASN
540 Posts
I am an INFJ. Psych so far has been a pretty good fit [discounting the trauma I suffered after being assaulted my a pt in his home). The job requires a lot of supportive listening, therapeutic support, motivational interviewing, psycho ed which are all forms of "counselling". I think the operative word is that you cannot provide psychotherapy, if that makes sense.
Now I know you will have to go through nursing school to become a psych nurse. I dont know if it's TRUE for INFJs but I felt like a deer in headlights during med surgery clinicals. Also keep in mind that if you work on an input unit, often there is not much time in the day to chat with patients for any extended period. You are more there to keep the pts and the milieu safe. It's a bit different if you work in output.
This is a very sort of taxing for an introvert. INFJs are supposed to be the most extroverted appearing out of all the I configurations but the job takes a lot out of you. I know when I get home from work, I have had more than enough social interaction for the day and I need at least an hour to decompress and just be away from people.