Going Backwards

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Hi All,

I have been a new nurse for aproximately 6 months and have been in psychiatry the whole time. My problem now, is that I feel unfullfilled and desire more of a learning opportunity. As much as I love being a psychiatric nurse, I feel that I may have "settled" because I didn't feel smart enough medically. I have recently applied to new nurse residency programs in medical/surgical, float pool and pediatrics. My concern is that I have been out of school for 8 months and feel that I have lost all of my knowledge, since I don't use most of it in psych. Have I already black-listed myself or is there still hope to go backwards. As of right now, I am not being challanged and I feel defeated. Thanks

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

You absolutely did not "blacklisted" yourself. Moreover, on some units your skills of managing psych patients will make you unvaluable addition to staff. Float is a good choice because float nurses are "universal solgiers" and are often given assignments others do not feel comfortable with - which is frequently psych patients on med/surg floor. Your learning curve will be steep, but that's what you're there, aren't you?

Another good places for "skills widening" are med/surg floors in "critical access" hospitals (where there is no division of units so that nurses are exposed to everything; such hospitals mostly exist in rural areas), "acute" LTACH (very many patients there actually would go somewhere else should they be free from their mental health problems), and, if you like at least some adrenaline rush/procedures, ER.

Dust off your med/surg books, you'll be surprised how much you remember. Also, get an ECG primer, start to read basic rthythms and get BLS/ACLS/PALS, if you do not have them yet. And do not worry about technical things - I'll stick that IV in for you if you teach me how to keep that little old sweetie with already too long QRS and lytes all over the place calm in bed without more Haldol.

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Hi All,

I have been a new nurse for aproximately 6 months and have been in psychiatry the whole time. My problem now, is that I feel unfullfilled and desire more of a learning opportunity. As much as I love being a psychiatric nurse, I feel that I may have "settled" because I didn't feel smart enough medically. I have recently applied to new nurse residency programs in medical/surgical, float pool and pediatrics. My concern is that I have been out of school for 6 months and feel that I have lost all of my knowledge, since I don't use most of it in psych. Have I already black-listed myself or is there still hope to go backwards. As of right now, I am not being challanged and I feel defeated. Thanks

If you've only been out of school for six months, you didn't have much knowledge to lose in the first place ...but I'm surprised that you would qualify to apply for new grad residencies considering your experience.

If those don't work out, try looking at medical/psych units ...or hospitals with both types of units that might be willing to cross-train you.

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If you've only been out of school for six months, you didn't have much knowledge to lose in the first place ...but I'm surprised that you would qualify to apply for new grad residencies considering your experience.

If those don't work out, try looking at medical/psych units ...or hospitals with both types of units that might be willing to cross-train you.

A new nurse residency program near me is any nurse without a full year of experiece. I've been a nurse for 6 months. out of school for 8.

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I don't think you blacklisted yourself just to start. I graduated 2012. Didnt take and pass boards till December 2016. I got my first job soon after working Pediatrics. I went in thinking I had forgotten everything too and feeling very incompetent. Well wasn't I handed a nice surprise when even after four years I was able to jump right in. You remember many things along the way and most importantly YOU LEARN as you go! Most of the things you learn in school don't necessarily teach you how to be a good nurse or do certain things. So much knowledge is gained through hitting the floor and working with other more seasoned nurses. Give yourself a break and just be ready to learn anything and everything you can. Good luck!

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Thank you. I am very hard on myself, hence the fact that I didn't pursue anything medically because I didn't feel smart enough.

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Thank you. I am very hard on myself, hence the fact that I didn't pursue anything medically because I didn't feel smart enough.

I totally identify with not feeling smart enough and im sure we are not the only ones. What I say to myself and will repeat to you is try not to limit yourself because you don't feel smart enough. Nobody knows it all and the more you do and see the more knowledge you will gain along with some confidence. Give yourself a little credit, you made it this far. Now see how much farther you can go:)

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You have received valuable advice from the previous responders. Just review information you received during your training and try to apply same when you get on the floor. There is always some feeling of uncertainty when you just get started, but remember Medical/Surgical knowledge and experience lays the foundation for any other field in nursing.

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