Behavioral Health Nurses in the ED

[ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN]

hello, 

So I have been a psych nurse for 3 years. I just interviewed for a position in the ED working with psych patients. I was hoping there are others out there who's main role has been psych patients in the ED. Could anyone give me some advice for this role? Do you like it, dislike it? I was told we have to go through extensive training as an ED nurse, classes every other week for a few weeks. I also need my ACLS. This is all new to me, but I am excited about it. It is 3 12's 7a-7p. Any info would be great. ED nurses your experiences and advice is much appreciated!

Thank you..

[Chickenlady]

I haven't seen this role, but I would welcome you with open arms.  Psych patients can be very resource consuming and need attention that is often hard to provide when you have medically ill patients that need urgent attention. 

[ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN]

4 hours ago, Chickenlady said:

I haven't seen this role, but I would welcome you with open arms.  Psych patients can be very resource consuming and need attention that is often hard to provide when you have medically ill patients that need urgent attention. 

Thank you.. I would gladly work arm and arm with the ED nurses to provide good care. I can imagine it must be very hard dealing with a combative, psychotic patient that requires your constant attention while you tend to your medical patients.. Props to you for dealing with all that!

[RatchedAfterMidnight, MSN, APRN]

I have seen it done, especially in community/county hospitals. Psych is in every floor of every hospital but depending on the population the Psych RN in the ER can be very beneficial. The Psych team is essentially a consult and embedded in the ER. How I have seen it done is the Psych RN in the ER triages patients for transfer to a psych ER/inpatient admission, works with a team of social workers/a Psych NP/a Psych Tech. The Psych NP/PA/Resident/attending, is consulted for medication management in the ER, Psych Social Work is consulted for level of care determination and community resources, and RN/tech help with triage, milieu, psych codes. I personally enjoy the variety and the challenge of Med Psych. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Do you think that they will "honor" the specificity of the role, or do you think you'll be used as an built-in float person for when the regular ED volume is high?

[ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN]

On 9/30/2020 at 10:29 PM, dallasmiss said:

I have seen it done, especially in community/county hospitals. Psych is in every floor of every hospital but depending on the population the Psych RN in the ER can be very beneficial. The Psych team is essentially a consult and embedded in the ER. How I have seen it done is the Psych RN in the ER triages patients for transfer to a psych ER/inpatient admission, works with a team of social workers/a Psych NP/a Psych Tech. The Psych NP/PA/Resident/attending, is consulted for medication management in the ER, Psych Social Work is consulted for level of care determination and community resources, and RN/tech help with triage, milieu, psych codes. I personally enjoy the variety and the challenge of Med Psych. 

Thank u for your insight into this, I appreciate it.. glad to know this role is doable and that everyone works as a team.

[ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN]

On 10/1/2020 at 1:54 AM, Jedrnurse said:

Do you think that they will "honor" the specificity of the role, or do you think you'll be used as an built-in float person for when the regular ED volume is high?

Yes, this is a specific role in the ED I interviewed for. I did also ask if we would go into the medical side of the ED to take patients but they do not anticipate that...

I would not mind learning that role either, I would love to be as flexible as I can be.