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Is it fun? Is it a challenging, remarkable experience or whatever it may be..
Cause, I am taking this to my consideration. I am a student nurse, and psychiatric nursing seems really interesting to me.
Well if your a psychiatric nurse or just have worked in a mental institution, I am very interested to know your experience.. thanks.. ;)
I started nursing school when I was 31 and graduated when I was 33. I felt so old, but it did not stop me. I was informed by my nursing instructor, during our clinicals at the state mental hospital, that I was an excellent candidate to work in psych. My instructor told me this when she saw how I handled my pt assignment. I am 4ft 11in and weigh about 115lbs; my pt was 6ft 4in and very psychotic but I was able to establish rapport within 10 mins of meeting him. I was also able to calm him when he was experiencing audio hallucinations. I loved that rotation and felt I fit right in. That's when my instructor set me up for an interview with the director of the mental health unit at our local hospital. I literally had the job before I graduated. Another thing, trust in yout instincts...you will know what area you fit in.
I am not sure if I understand your question but I will try to answer it. Nurses cannot counsel but they can give education. As an advanced practice nurse, or MSN, you can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications but you still only provide education, not so much counseling. I hope that answers your question.
I am not sure if I understand your question but I will try to answer it. Nurses cannot counsel but they can give education. As an advanced practice nurse, or MSN, you can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications but you still only provide education, not so much counseling. I hope that answers your question.
I think you pretty much answered it. I thought that a Psyshiatric Nurse Practitioner could give some sort of counseling as an APN. Thanks!
aterry1
2 Posts
How long have you been doing psych nursing for? After i upgrade my BIO, i will be 30 when I start my school and 32 when i finish. Is that to late to start? How old were you when you started taking schooling in this area?