concerns about new grad psych position

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I recently interviewed for a psych RN position at a hospital that I believe I will get an offer for. My only concern is that the unit is undergoing major changes (such as being taken over by an outside entitiy) almost all of the staff is new and I was told that many people quit when the new company stepped in to run the psych unit because they didnt like the changes taking place. Upon touring the unit I noticed that it appeared that there was alot of confusion and lack of organization within the unit and staff. Since I am a new grad I am concerned that this may not be a great first nursing expereince... yet I am excited to just get the opportunity to work in the area I want to work. Also orientation is only three weeks. (This is the first interview I went on that i am actually excited about the position) Does anyone have any insight they could offer on this?

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Wow, a 3 week orientation for a new grad??? I think you already identified the many red flags. I don't want to sound negative about psych nursing - I'm sure there are a few good places out there. But I have had more than my share of psych experience and with 100% consistency these facilities displayed the same lack of organization you described along with sarcastic, negative attitudes and unsafe practices that put the clients and nurses at risk.

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The three week orientation does not seem bad considering all the clients are medically stable and the unit is pretty small and I was told that if I needed more time it would be provided.

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I'm also a new grad working in psych... I was given about 4 weeks of orientation. It's not really that bad in psych because, as mentioned, they're medically stable and we give a *lot* of the same drugs to patients. It felt like more than enough time for me to get up to speed to a level where I could function on the job. The only lenience I have is that I don't get staffed alone as the only RN on units (I work nights).

However, the place I work is not by any means disorganized, as we handle court-ordered treatments and evals. It's a very tight ship and everyone is very cohesive and professional... so going by what you describe, I can't be too sure in saying that it sounds good. Could you maybe ask for an opportunity to shadow for a day or something? I ask because I wouldn't make a conclusion based on people quitting... there's lots of people who get settled and will leave when -anything- major changes... what you should base your choice on is seeing the actual workflow for a day of the RN's.

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This is a privately owned facility that runs on bare bones staffing.

My number one concern for you is... is there security on site to handle the out of control patient? If you and the mental health workers are expected to deal with this.. along with the rest of your duties... it is not do-able.

I don't think this is do-able for a new grad anyway.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.

I am about to start on a new psych ward too (fingers crossed). I would be wary of chinese whispers...you never know what has really happened to make people quit- or if they even quit at all...redevelopments always have an area for people who are burnt out to leave. Sometimes people don't like change- if they've been there a while (for example at my last psych hospital people had worked there for 40 years!!!) and some of them are BURNT out ++++++++. Anything new was change and foreign and they complained like banshees with the changes. I was a new grad at the time and I didn't know any different...there will be good people everywhere. If you're excited about it, stay positive and excited! That will get you through any tough times that may pop up. Fresh faces bring fresh attitudes to workplaces and can be a blessing in disguise :) GOOD LUCK!! :)

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