Confused new nurse seeking advice ... please help?

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Specializes in Psych.

Hi guys. This might be a bit long, I apologize, but I really need to get this off my chest and I'd really appreciate your insight...

For the past 10+ years up until I became an RN recently, I've been a PCT on a pediatric psych unit. I really got used to it... great co-workers (2 or 3 of them can be a little psych themselves haha), we all shared a good sense of humor. What I didn't like about working with the kids is that when it comes to the problematic ones, let's say you've tried everything non-invasive (therapeutic communication, setting boundaries, reinforcing rules, etc) and nothing works, the doctors (and SOME nurses) will STILL look for every reason in the book not to move to more invasive maneuvers like give IM medication or do seclusion. It's a lot of woo-woo'ing if you will. With the adult psych pts, its the polar opposite, one wrong look and its IM or seclusion.

So I chickened out of remaining on my unit as a nurse because of this. I was then faced with deciding between day shift with adult psych or night shift with detox. Both units have awesome nurse managers. 

I would have gone with detox but they only have 4 nurses on night shift (not all at once, but just in total), so I feared that would put me at a disadvantage as a new RN if I needed help of some kind if the crap were to hit the fan. 

So I went with the adult psych/day shift. I'm 4 weeks into orientation and I have mixed feelings about my decision. However, what I've found is that....

1. adults is more work, more chronic medical comorbidities, and more medications than the kids. Yes I was made aware of this beforehand, so shame on me in this regard. Nonetheless, I assumed I was probably better off than facing the issues with the kids that I mentioned above.

2. I get along with everyone, no issues but... I can't put my finger on it. It's somewhat of a different vibe than my old co-workers, nothing really bad but just.... Different, I don't really know. I guess I miss my old crew and my old unit. I felt... Comfortable.

Even 2-3 of my old colleagues questioned my decision not to stay with the kids since I know them well and have experience there. This further deepened my mixed feelings/regrets.

I thought about asking to go back to my kids floor as a nurse, but one... It looks like there's no vacancy right now. Two... My old manager might be a idiot about it because I didn't ask him if I can work there in the first place. Three... It will be a slap in face to my new manager because she really made sure I wanted to be with the adults beforehand. 

I even thought about switching to detox as well. Despite the staffing problem there, I enjoyed the vibe on the unit. 

Either way, If I ask to switch now I will look like an indecisive fool. Should I just stick it out where I am? Should I just go to another facility altogether to avoid bringing emotion into this? I mean Im a nurse now, I can go anywhere right? I don't know what to do now LOL...

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Change has a way of making you question yourself- I know this only to well. It's normal to feel out of sync but remember that even if you go back to your old floor you will still be in a new role with new duties and responsibilities. There's a big difference between being a tech and an RN.

If you can't go back for 6 months to a year use this as an opportunity for growth. You may find you like it better once you are adjusted. Also new added skills will make you more marketable in the future.

For what it's worth I have worked psych across the lifespan and find adults the easiest to work with even though I have been in adolescent for some time. You don't have to deal as much with parents and ancillary family members and you end up with a stronger one on one relationship.

Bottom line- life's too short to do something you really aren't liking so do what feels right to you. We are just a bunch on strangers on the internet.

Hppy

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Specializes in Psych.
hppygr8ful said:

Change has a way of making you question yourself- I know this only to well. It's normal to feel out of sync but remember that even if you go back to your old floor you will still be in a new role with new duties and responsibilities. There's a big difference between being a tech and an RN.

 

if you can't go back for 6 months to a year use this as an opportunity for growth. You may find you like it better once you are adjusted.

for what it's worth I have worked psych across the lifespan and find adults the easiest to work with even though I have been in adolescent for some time. You don't have to deal as much with parents and ancillary family members and you end up with a stronger one on one relationship.

bottom line- life's too short to do something you really aren't liking so do what feels right to you. We are just a bunch on strangers on the internet.

Hppy

Thank you for your insight ? what you said about the adults being easier compared to the kids was one of the driving points behind my original decision. I think they are easier in the sense that you said,.not having to deal with those family members, etc but then they are harder in the sense that they have more meds and more medical problems. I'm sure they probably punch harder too. I've been hit 2 times over the last decade by adolescents. 

I'm just so mad at myself, like I thought I had really thought this whole thing through. But bam! Unforseen plot twist. It's like I didn't realize how good and easy I had it where I was.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
jss1985 said:

 I'm sure they probably punch harder too. I've been hit 2 times over the last decade by adolescents. 

 

I've only been hit once by an adult but more times than I care to count by adolescents. Learning about the added meds and co-morbidities will just make you a better nurse. 

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Seems like you just have the new grad or new nurse blues. I'd stick it out if I were you for at least 6 months, a year at the very least. Doesn't seem like you're having issues, just emotions. Unless your position is taxing on you physically/mentally where you dislike and/or despise the job, I don't see a reason to jump ship so early. You definitely don't want to burn bridges either by jumping ship by either going to another facility or going to another unit so early in the job. Don't mistake "nice managers" as colleagues that would have your back or be happy with such a change in decision so quickly. And yes, you technically can "go anywhere" because you are a nurse, but that doesn't mean you can just drop a job left and right especially as a new grad. Get your one 1 year experience down your belt, and then I'd say do anything you want. But, treat your first year as a new nurse cautiously.

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Well as a nurse I learned you have to be open to adapting quickly and being flexible. I like order and routine and that's not (usually) how a day will be for a nurse! So part of me would say, stay where you are and be open to this change so you learn how to be flexible as a nurse but also part of me says do what you want and don't be stuck there. So im not much help ? Ultimately it's a personal choice...go somewhere nice and quiet like a lake or park to take a walk alone and just think about it without stress. Good luck

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

The red flag for me is when you mentioned what you didn't like about psych peds as a new grad nurse. 

To quote the literature:

"It is very important to consider the implications of PRN medications, especially as related to litigation, patient safety, professional ethics, and clinical efficacy, especially in the light of the target of human rights litigation as has been the case with the United States Department of Justice opposed to psychiatric facilities in the different states."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5659075/

In my honest opinion, you should probably look outside of psych nursing. Maybe try a clinic. 

 


 

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I guess I'm not really clear what you want from your job/career. I think if you can think about what your short and long term goals are, that will guide your decision. 
And you need a place for your breaks away from patient care. 

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Specializes in Psych.
nyteshade said:

The red flag for me is when you mentioned what you didn't like about psych peds as a new grad nurse. 

To quote the literature:

"It is very important to consider the implications of PRN medications, especially as related to litigation, patient safety, professional ethics, and clinical efficacy, especially in the light of the target of human rights litigation as has been the case with the United States Department of Justice opposed to psychiatric facilities in the different states."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5659075/

In my honest opinion, you should probably look outside of psych nursing. Maybe try a clinic. 

 


 

I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you're trying to say exactly?

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

Psych nursing might not be for you.

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Specializes in Psych.
nyteshade said:

Psych nursing might not be for you.

OK but what is leading you to this idea? I'm confused. I've been in psych for 13 years now, not as a nurse but still.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.

You have a great opportunity for learning. I'm working in older adults mental health and the amount of medical learning I have had over the last year has been amazing. 

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