Does psych nursing affect ur home life?

[ProgressiveThinking]

I've been a tele nurse for a few years, and I want change. I'm considering doing psych as a loved it in school. I'll keep a PRN tele position to keep my skills up, so that's not a concern. My concern is the affect that psych has on your home life. Everyone jokes around saying that psych nurses eventually blend in with the patients. Is there truth to this? Does psych bring out the craziness in you? Has psych changed the way you act with friends and loved ones?

[taydian]

Doesn't/hasn't affected my life outside of work..............

However, I do often find myself "diagnosing" guests on a particular TV talk show -- that is a constant train wreck I can't avoid watching late at night on youtube---- with mental or personality disorders.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

Yes, it affects my home life. I am the only one who could get my daughter to do her homework without the struggle, because I used the same techniques I use with my patients. Because I have seen what can happen when childhood anxiety and ADHD are not effectively treated, I am able to be a better advocate for my daughter. I am also the unofficial therapist of the neighborhood. I have spent many a night on my neighbors porch, with their teenage son, just listening. Pretty much I use the skills from work all the time.

[taydian]

I have a warped sense of normal. Guy on the corner talking to unseen other? Woman cursing at grocery cart? Okay. Woman offering to show her surgical scars in middle of the bank? Sure. Closing the door with foot behind? Okay. Checking the door before you open it? Check. Scanning rooms and listening to others chitterchatter for info. Check check. Nightmares? yep.

It's not really a warped sense of normal. Normalcy is also adaptation......and nurses, especially, psych nurses, in a sense, are a part of that abnormal "culture". Med nurses, I do feel for you. You have to deal with physical deficiencies along with psychological..but for psych nurses, we are around it so much that we do become desensitized by what is seen as abnormal. I wouldn't call it "warped". We're just used to it. It has become a part of our lives that it's just an "eh" thing..............................................unless that person is aggressive. Then it's like........f___!!

[Psychopath, MSN, RN, CNS]

Haha.. I think a bit of 'crazy' is in the dna of the psych nurse. :) Well psych nurses often find some aspect of this profession stimulating hence they do have a fascination in working where we do.

Maybe we'll all end up together one day into a purpose built retirement village specifically built for psych nurses... Complete with straight jackets, glass syringes and fountains of drinkable CPZ to remind us of the good old days! :)

[AlphaPig]

I don't work psych (I am reading the psych posts purely for interest :) but I can safely say that my neuro med/surg job affects me GREATLY outside of work - I am so anxious and tired and burnt out after I work. We have a lot of pysch patients (my current hospital has no inpatient psych floor like my old one did) so we, as the "neuro" floor, get all AMS, confused and acute psychosis patients. Tons of psycho-social issues. Just exhausting.

this is why I am trying to get OUT of the hospital.

[StocktonNurse, BSN, LVN, RN, EMT-B]

I noticed that I have become a more humble individual because of my psych experience. No matter how difficult the situation becomes (especially in psych) I look to be ahead of it and keep a cool head the whole time. I have way more patience than what I used to.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Doesn't affect me personally but it does limit me talking about work.Psychiatry demanded HIPAA level confidently decades earlier

[Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I]

For me, yes. Positive: "trial by fire" to organize myself and staff, learned to cope with the chaos and low staffing. Negative: the injuries I sustained during "psychiatric emergencies." I no longer work "psych," but I continue to use the organizational skills and ability to adapt to chaotic situations I had to develop to survive.

[MrsStudentNurse]

Psych nursing has made me a better person & continues to make me stronger. I quickly realized that we are all just 1 or 2 events away from being a patient ourselves - everyone has something that will break them. I once prayed to God to help me with learning patience -- & then I got a barrage of true Borderline personalities + Bipolars in a 2 week string. Careful what you wish for. Psych follows me at home - dealing with my husband family & friends --- I am able to cope better, & I now can walk with confidence knowing everyone has something. I hope that Psych nursing will help you too. A lot of raw nerves shown to me about myself - I see myself in each patient, who I am, who I could have been, who I fear of becoming - but understanding that is what makes me able to help them the best I can. I pray for them all on my way to work, ask for guidance in prayers during my shift & when I leave, I go home & sleep well. I hope you will be able to do that --- it is different for everyone.[/quote']

Beautiful. Ain't that the truth. We all could be the patient if not given the life and blessings we've been dealt.

[supernurse109]

Do you not think these things could affect you whatever job you did.....? If you are that kind of person, you just are.

[supernurse109]

Honestly... My mother before me was a mental health nurse, any flaws that she had was not down to her profession but to her previous life experiences. I too have followed in her footsteps, and whilst I will not disagree that you do need to be at least "open minded" to do the job, It actually enhances daily skills to deal with family and life.......... You do need to be able to leave the work behind at most times, but that is true of any job is it not.....? x

I have done this job for 26 yrs now and whist my friends and family may think im a little crazy..... they prob thought that 26 yrs ago too......... x

[supernurse109]

Please Don't ever take me there.......lol x