Eating ice cream and getting nervous -- offered Neuro-ICU job, now a psych nurse

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So, I've been a new nurse for 10 months ... in psych nursing.

I just received a job offer from a neuro- trauma ICU, same hospital.

I AM SCARED TO DEATH.

My job now? It's comfortable: good hours, good people, and I do enjoy psych. But even though I do some medical, I miss doing more of it (I really liked clinicals from school)

But that's the thing: I'm *comfortable.*

The new job? More hours, but very good reputation. Good orientation. I know several people there and they enjoy it. More $$$.

But it's an ICU, so very different from psych, and I'm just ... scared? Afraid I'll fail. I'm also very laid back. Very type B personality.

My questions are: how long did you stay at your first job? Did you regret moving to "greener pastures?" Is it normal to feel this nervous moving from such a different specialty? Am I crazy for thinking I should be even thinking I could go to the neuro ICU from psych? Hell, I used to be a SPED teacher back in the day ....

Ok, that's a lot of questions. I'm going to hit the chocolate chip cookie dough and try not to panic.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

For what it's worth, two of my SICU colleagues were hired from psych and do really well. There are A TON of psychosocial issues in neuro: pts' and families' lives can be forever altered, and they can experience grief and depression. There are unknowns about prognosis -- some people end up exceeding expectations, and some may initially look promising, until the brain swells and herniates. Brain injuries can impact a pt's behavior -- they can become impulsive, they can get frustrated and act out......

As some of the PPs said, your psych background will be an asset. Nursing procedures and meds and ICU assessments can be relearned. Your psych skills are not as easily taught!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The fact that you are fairly recent grad bodes well for your success. You have not spent 10 years in Psych, you have spent 10 months. All the skills and knowledge from nursing school is a little dusty, but certainly not moldy on the shelf. After 5 years, I transitioned out of psych in an unrelated field. It was hard at first getting the "language" of medicine back, but learning the second time around is so much easier than the first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Disclaimer- I have never worked psych.

A recent experience gives me my opinion.

Two fairly new nurses who went into psych straight from school moved into the ER. Both smart, good work ethic, etc. Both were very challenged. While I think, in the end, either would have made a good ER nurse, both went back to psych.

From what I saw, it would have been easier to orient them as new grads. Their skills and knowledge base had degraded significantly.

I would say that if you think you might want to do something other than psych, do it now. While I could be wrong on this, I don't think people have the same trouble going from acute medical to psych as the other way around.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

You learn most when you are out of your comfort zone. Best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is perfectly normal to worry about not making it in ICU. I started as a new grad into a Neuro/Trauma ICU, as do many brand spankin' new nurses. You will gain SO much medical experience from being in ICU, and your 10 months of psych experience can only help. Ask TONS of questions, and be ready and willing to learn. You are still a new nurse, and no one is expecting you to know what you're doing from the get go. Make sure you have an adequate orientation, ask for a new preceptor if you are not learning from their teaching style. It's great experience!! :) Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU / Urgent Care.

Hey,

Been a Neuro ICU nurse for about 1.5 years now in a big hospital. All I gotta say is most nights might be chill, however being an ICU things can go from 0-100 in less than a microsecond. It takes a full year for you to start feeling even comfortable going to work etc... It's a humbling experience, good luck in whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, psych.

Thank you all for responding, I have lots to think about.

I scheduled a shadow day on Thursday .... wish me luck :nailbiting:.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you all for responding, I have lots to think about.

I scheduled a shadow day on Thursday .... wish me luck :nailbiting:.

Good luck, and let us know how things go and your overall impressions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment