I Hate Psych

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I liked Psych as a CNA, and have a deep passion for mental health, but I hate being a Psych nurse. I've been at my facility a couple months, and I've already seen the same patients- malingers, gangbangers, and med-seekers over and over again. I.e. I just d/c'd someone who didn't want to leave for weeks (registered sex offender who was extremely grabby and inappropriate to female staff), he went back to the ED the same day voicing suicidal ideations, came back to our unit, and treats the place like a hotel.

I love the genuine psych patients that I've had the honor of working with. When they get better, I feel like I've made a difference. Nevertheless, I provide non-judgmental care to all, and my nurse manager says patients commend me quite often when he does surveys (before you say they can smell my dislike and dislike me too). The nurses on the floor are all bitter and cynical, and most are leaving because they say it's not rewarding anymore.

Is Psych like that everywhere?

General Q- Have you ever been in an area you didn't love? What did you do?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Have you ever been in an area you didn't love? What did you do?
I left...

To be fair, I have never loved any job I've ever had. I simply stick around if I feel the working conditions are tolerable enough. I was a rehabilitation nurse for about 8 years. Once I began to despise that area of nursing, I simply switched specialties.

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I suck it up and stick it out... My mom says you gotta kiss ass before you can kick it.

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I liked Psych as a CNA, and have a deep passion for mental health, but I hate being a Psych nurse. I've been at my facility a couple months, and I've already seen the same patients- malingers, gangbangers, and med-seekers over and over again. I.e. I just d/c'd someone who didn't want to leave for weeks (registered sex offender who was extremely grabby and inappropriate to female staff), he went back to the ED the same day voicing suicidal ideations, came back to our unit, and treats the place like a hotel.

I love the genuine psych patients that I've had the honor of working with. When they get better, I feel like I've made a difference. Nevertheless, I provide non-judgmental care to all, and my nurse manager says patients commend me quite often when he does surveys (before you say they can smell my dislike and dislike me too). The nurses on the floor are all bitter and cynical, and most are leaving because they say it's not rewarding anymore.

Is Psych like that everywhere?

General Q- Have you ever been in an area you didn't love? What did you do?

What's a "genuine" psych patient, OP?

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What's a "genuine" psych patient, OP?

People who are actually in need of care (hallucinations, delusions, suicidal, DSM diagnoses etc). You know, the ones who aren't trying to prolong their law enforcement notifications, stay out of jail, and get notes claiming they're bipolar so they can claim disability (and no, our doctors don't give it to them).

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Tell me how many handfuls of poop have been thrown in your direction. I can teach you the ninja tactics necessary to avoid fecal matter lobbed at you. Maybe then it will be manageable.

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Tell me how many handfuls of poop have been thrown in your direction. I can teach you the ninja tactics necessary to avoid fecal matter lobbed at you. Maybe then it will be manageable.

Shoot. I've already taken the workshop "Ninja Tactics to Dodge Code Browns during a Code Green." I'm covered... (and not in fecal matter):rolleyes:

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I suck it up and stick it out... My mom says you gotta kiss ass before you can kick it.

Or, as been said to me, "You gotta kiss a lot of Warhols before you find your Rembrandt".

And finding your Rembrandt may not be in the terms of a better job with Patients more deserving of your care, but in a higher consciousness in dealing with the salt of the earth.

The very best to you, b52RN. I sense that you're on the right path.

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If you really hate it, move on. Maybe the patients don't sense it yet, but it's only a matter of time before leaks through into your patient care. If you want to stay in psych maybe you should try a new area, like peds. (Just an example) Either way, you're going to have to understand that no matter where you end up there are going to be patients that take advantage. Psych needs great nurses, but that population is very difficult and taxing to work with. I think it's great that you've recognized your feelings just make a change before you become completely burnt out.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
People who are actually in need of care (hallucinations, delusions, suicidal, DSM diagnoses etc). You know, the ones who aren't trying to prolong their law enforcement notifications, stay out of jail, and get notes claiming they're bipolar so they can claim disability (and no, our doctors don't give it to them).

Just so you know...some people who "get a note claiming they're bipolar so they can get disability", really are disabled to the point of needing it. And not all of us are malingerers. :no:

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Just so you know...some people who "get a note claiming they're bipolar so they can get disability", really are disabled to the point of needing it. And not all of us are malingerers. :no:
I concur. Although some people are faking, shaking and attempting to game the system, many people truly do have mental illness that is debilitating enough to qualify for disability.
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Yes it's like that in the places I've worked. They are mentally ill. That's their behavior. It's the nature of the field.

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