How physical is psychiatric nursing?

SickSister · Jul 26, 2014

Psych nursing isn't really physically demanding, on the contrary you have to watch that you don't gain weight.

But I think if you were working with older patients like over 65 years old, and they are frail, that could be bad for your arthritis. Apply for adult psych where pts are between 18- 65.

elkpark · Jul 26, 2014

The thing about psych nursing is that you may spend days or weeks at a time doing noithing more strenuous and physically demanding than walking around the unit, bu you never know when you may find yourself involved in wrestling an agitated, combativwe client down to the floor and into a seclusion room or restraints. That aspect of psych nursing is v. physically demanding.

fiba · Aug 19, 2014

so I went to the orthopedic today.

told me being a police officer is not a good idea for me long term (my initial goal). I may handle the work now, but down the line of 5 years there can be more damage on my knees.

Told me it would be horrible to see that I get put on some disability quit the force and then don't have an alternative option.

He said if I can change careers now would be a good time.

This is where I told him psych nursing is a 2nd interest I have. He told me psych nursing gets physical, but not like policing. Told me it's a much better option. The other option is becoming a social worker.

But I really don't like the school I am being offered.

and I have more relation to psychiatry due to my parents being doctors and other experiences.

How often does one deal with physically agressive patients?? that you will have to restrain?

WillyNilly · Aug 21, 2014

The acuity we are dealing with is getting higher. Our goal is to use techniques to calm prior to reaching this level however it can happen. Only you know your body and it's limitations. Would you qualify for a replacement now while you are still in good health and be able to replace the other prior to changing careers?

have you explored other areas of nursing as well?

Honestly, I am on my feet 13+hours a day at work. It is constant movement and patient interaction as they move to keep a calm milieu. It is not always sit and coffee talk. Hope this helps

fiba · Aug 21, 2014

The acuity we are dealing with is getting higher. Our goal is to use techniques to calm prior to reaching this level however it can happen. Only you know your body and it's limitations. Would you qualify for a replacement now while you are still in good health and be able to replace the other prior to changing careers?
have you explored other areas of nursing as well?
Honestly, I am on my feet 13+hours a day at work. It is constant movement and patient interaction as they move to keep a calm milieu. It is not always sit and coffee talk. Hope this helps

this did help. I was told by a professional working in the field. That the level of violence varies among units, so I can't really expect that nothing will happen in terms of physical stuff.

Thanks for the reply, I have looked into RN work. I just felt Psych would have been a good fit because I took some psychology courses and other experiences. Plus in my region some credits transfer over to the program.

whereas the RN is really starting from scratch.

I have an associates degree in criminology. A lot of the work with that education is in law enforcement.

was told I could join the force and then look for some administrative or less physical stuff after 5 years of patrol.

but that seems kind of foolish lol.

thanks for the reply this forum has been highly helpful in learning about psych nursing. I volunteer at a mental health home currently. Wanted to get some different experiences.

puravidaLV · Aug 24, 2014

Good lord I wish i was more physically active. I think I exercise my TMJ muscles more than anything else.

jsaldanajrsa · Aug 26, 2014

Great wisdom. Great question. Let me say this; When a patient is detained and they tell you, " If you don't let me leave, I'm leaving anyway, " I need to be prepared. Sometimes staff is so busy, it takes a couple of minutes to get assistance.

PeacockMaiden · Aug 28, 2014

My job as a psych charge nurse is very physical in that my unit is constantly understaffed so I spend most my shift running around doing multiple things at one time. I am so busy with my staffing ratio of 1 nurse to 13 patients, I normally don't have time for lunch or breaks. On the positive side, I have actually lost a few pounds in this job because I run around so much and never have time to eat.

PeacockMaiden · Aug 28, 2014

I might add that if you find that your job as a psych RN is essentially a 'sit down' stationary job, then you aren't doing your job right, in my opinion.

clockwood · Aug 29, 2014

As a general statement, nursing is physical. Lots of walking, lots of movement. Bending, pulling, lifting. If you like the idea of psych nursing, perhaps Marriage Family Fherapy would be a good career alternative? Psych social worker? Public Guardian? If you really like the idea of being an RN, how about RN case management? Forensic nursing? (legal stuff) The idea in a psych unit is to identify the pacing, agitated patients and "de-escalate" them before they become aggressive, combative or a flight risk. Being a hyper-vigilant nurse and recognizing a problem BEFORE it occurs will vastly reduce any physical encounters with patients. Best of luck to you! :)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 29, 2014

I might add that if you find that your job as a psych RN is essentially a 'sit down' stationary job, then you aren't doing your job right, in my opinion.

The only time I can see psych being a "sit down" job might be in an outpatient or clinic setting...and even then you're not going to be sitting much. I wear a pedometer every day to try to encourage myself to walk more. On days that I'm working inpatient, I can easily rack up 10,000 steps BEFORE I even leave work.

It can be as physical as a lot of other specialties, more so if you work geropsych or with medically unstable populations.