Behavioral Med/Surg Unit for new grad?

[mochamocha]

Do you think a Med/Surg unit of psychiatric patients is a good place for new grads? I have an interest in psych patients but I'm not sure if I can handle this type of unit...

[whodatnurse]

Is there some sort of fellowship/orientation/training period?

[mochamocha]

Not too sure but it is a teaching hospital so I assume it may offer a decent orientation?

[shivone]

I say go for it. Getting both psych and med surg experience as anew grad sounds like a great opportunity. I am a few months into my very first nursing job, which happens to be in geri-psych. I think the main concern with going right into psych nursing as a new grad is that you don't get to "cut your teeth" in med surg. This job will allow you to experience both. Psych patients and psych issues are in every field of nursing. You will be learning to deal with the issues head-on and it should serve you well anywhere you want to go from here.

[whodatnurse]

Not too sure but it is a teaching hospital so I assume it may offer a decent orientation?

I think it's awesome if this an area that is of interest to you...provided they don't just throw you in there on day 1 and hope for the best. My personal opinion is that a new grad, regardless of what area he/she is starting in, should have some sort of fellowship/residency/orientation to ease their transition from student nurse to working professional.