Geriatric Psychiatry

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 9, 2017

Good evening nurses,
I am currently working as a tech in an adult inpatient behavioral health unit (& a senior in a BSN program). I do enjoy what I do for the most part (other than the outbursts, the cussing, kicking). I find myself more connecting with the geriatric patients (I love the geriatric population). I do not really desire to work with all ages unfortunately. Unfortunately, while applying for RN positions, I did not see too many geriatric psychiatric units (only adult or child psych units). In the future, I would like to obtain my MSN or DNP in PMHNP with a specialization in Geriatrics. I did apply to a hospital with a Geriatric Medical Unit and I have an interview coming up in a few days. Do you think this would be a good start for someone who wants to be PMHNP and work with the geriatric population? I don't think regular adult psych is for me.

Good for you!!! There is not a lot of nurses (or others) that wish to work with Geriatric Psych patients. It is a lot of hard work. It can be taxing too. I think you have a good shot at landing a position if you express your career interest in your interview. I am not a DNP yet, but I am working toward that goal in the next several year (obtaining my complimentary MSN to attached to my MBA first). However, my two cents is that I have a Geriatric Psych background, currently work with this population and I think that the route you are taking is a good start! Good Luck! :)

GeminiNurse29 · Feb 12, 2017

Have you worked on a Geri psych unit before or shadowed? Have you worked with geriatrics for that matter?

Im a float and spend about 50% of my time on the Geri psych ward. The good is that it's very busy, day or night. Time flies. You get admissions even on nights because it's a civil unit.

The bad? Management is not supportive of us using seclusions and restraints like on the other units Bc "this is civil not forensic." We have this guy who has hit staff, choked out another patient, and is a psych mess and still on our unit instead of being transferred to the maximum security unit. We get a lot of aggressive Lewy Body dementia type patients, suicidal ideation patients, paranoid, etc. They are awake at all hours and often sundown. We get all types, from the little 90 year old lady with aggression to the ambulatory middle age guy. All are aggressive and a danger, either to themselves or others. In fact, during orientation, every staff will warn new hires that they have been hit and assaulted more on the Geri ward than any of the forensics units. The patients are also more medically acute and have long, messy med lists. Some really don't belong there but have nowhere to go.

I would shadow before you agree to take any job. You might change your mind. There are four of us floats on my shift and you can't pay enough for any of us to sign on that unit permanently.