I am a real nurse

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So often I hear that psych nurses aren't real nurses. I work on an inpatient unit. I do modified head to toe assessments, listen to heart and lungs sounds, give PRNs for things ranging from high blood pressures to panic attacks, give injections, test blood sugars, and all with the added bonus of occasionally dodging a flying chair. But since I haven't started an IV in years and need help somehow I'm not a 'real' nurse to some medical professionals. Anyone else run into this?

Specializes in MedSurg.

I have heard some nurses say that psych nurses aren't "real" nurses, and I find it appalling. I do not work in psych, but I know for a fact that it takes a very special, strong person with a HIGH level of skill, compassion, and endurance to be a psych nurse. Not just anyone can make it in that specialty.

Long before becoming a nurse, I was in a drug rehab/psych facility (Thank GOD I am no longer struggling the way I was back then). I have been in the hospital/other healthcare settings several times since then over the years for unrelated things, but the nurse that I remember and am thankful for MOST is the psych nurse I had back then. I can tell you firsthand that psych nurses make a real impact and SAVE LIVES!

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I am a nursing student responding to my first comment, yes I am not a nurse yet but I aspire to be one due to what I have seen.

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Any nurse/person that spends their time talking down about another specialty and how they're "not real nurses" can kick rocks. Honestly, get a hobby.

This sort of thing, the "nurses eat their young" trope, or "new nurses disrespect veterans" stereotype all boil down to one thing to me: insecurity. Take people on a case by case basis. Of course psych nurses are real nurses; I'd imagine that the specialty requires extremely quick critical thinking and fortitude to handle behavioral crises.

My hats off to psych nurses, and all other nurses in areas different than mine.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
So often I hear that psych nurses aren't real nurses.
Thread has been moved to the Psychiatric Nursing forum.
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Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
Well I have worked IP psych. It doesn't get any realer than a 6'5" 350 pound guy with psychosis threatening to kill you and MEANING IT. Just my .02 cents.

Especially when they just fired all security in the hospital except the one in ED.

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Don't let people say you're not a real nurse. Anybody. We are nurses. From the most experienced nurse to the student nurse freshman. We. Are. Nurses. We do things that some people would never. Why? Because we save people. We help people. Don't let them get to you. Be proud of yourself and know how awesome you are how awesome we are

Yes im only a student FYI

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