I thought I'd share

[PMHNP10]

Some of y'all might know me (or at least might recognize my name) and maybe even have read some of my posts. Anywho, while out in CA I had what I considered a dream job (psych crisis response team for the hospital), but due to cost of living my fiance and I simply couldn't affor a house, so we moved back to TX. Knowing that hell would freeze over before I'd return to a medical setting (esp. in TX) I was finding it somewhat difficult to find a psych job. I was putting out quite a few applications but not getting much of a response. I sooooo wanted to find a similar job in TX, but unfortunately they wanted masters level folks. So one day I randomly ran across a job at UT-H as a research nurse. The job didn't pay nearly what I'm used to earning, but there are sooooooo many intangibles that made this a wonderful job that I would have been crazy to turn down; but believe me, that $$$$ for travel sure was making it's case. For example, with this job came an opportunity to return to school and work for my mental health APN which could allow me to be a crisis responder for area city or rural hospitals. So shortly after starting my job I applied for the UT-H SON for the RN-MSN track program with of course the plan to continue towards the APN. A few days ago I got my letter for an interview this coming tuesday (1/24). I am sooooo excited. I have always been a good interviewer, but especially when it comes to psych nursing. I know this might sound cocky, but while I know I won't have the most knowledge as an applicant, I'm confident noone is more passionate than I am about psych nursing and compassionate regarding the care I provide.

Now having said that...anyone have a few thousand dollars lying around to donate to me so I can pay for this education? I'm pretty sure you could deduct it next year. I'll be your bestest friend. PLLLLLLeeeeeeeeeeeeasssssse!!!:icon_hug:

[jellybean_1]

LOL sorry no money, but I do want to wish you all the best,

you certainly deserve it, good luck

[weetziebat]

I don't even have a few thousand pennies to contribute, but best of luck to you - have a feeling you'll do great at the interview. Let us know how things turn out, O.K?

[dekatn]

If I had it I would share it!! Good luck to you and keep us posted.

[NPAlby]

I'm a psych nurse too and was wondering if you could share some more info on th crisis responder position. What exactly does that entail? And does the masters program you're looking at provide training in the area as well? It almost sounds like being part of a mobile crisis team but maybe Im wrong. Sounds very interesting and I'm always looking for new avenues to pursue in psychiatry. Is your current role psych related?

You sound like me I'm usually great at interviews too. As long as it's something I really want I once did an interview for OR and bombed -heart just wasn't in it. Anyway good luck!! And I'm sure you'll rock on that interview next week!

[PMHNP10]

I'm a psych nurse too and was wondering if you could share some more info on th crisis responder position. What exactly does that entail? And does the masters program you're looking at provide training in the area as well? It almost sounds like being part of a mobile crisis team but maybe Im wrong. Sounds very interesting and I'm always looking for new avenues to pursue in psychiatry. Is your current role psych related?

You sound like me I'm usually great at interviews too. As long as it's something I really want I once did an interview for OR and bombed -heart just wasn't in it. Anyway good luck!! And I'm sure you'll rock on that interview next week!

In CA, I worked at 1 hospital on an inpatient psych unit. I had 4 components to my job--in decreasing order of priority: assess a pt. who comes in to the ER with some sort of psych/behavioral issue (SI, HI, cutting, OD, hallucinating, wandering naked on the highway, etc.) and determine their inpatient/outpatient needs and make any necessary referrals or obtain orders for the admission to our unit or a more appropriate one; respond to "Dr. Strong" calls on the other medical units for unruly pts.; chart audits (cause I worked nights), assisting on the unit when I wasn't busy with the first 2.

I absolutely loved this job because it gave me the opportunity to sit down with the pt. and listen to their concerns and address them. And regardless of how many patients I had in the ER, that individual knew I was there for them and them only and they had my undivided attention. It really does make a difference. IMO, listening can sometimes be the best thing you can do for some folks; I made it a point to do so when I worked on an inpatient psych unit and had a full load of patients, and I did it even more when I got to evaluate them in the ER. It was truly one of the 2 most rewarding experiences I've had in my life (the other being when I got to work with the vets at the VA while I was a student). So you see, this wasn't even an interview and I got all excited telling you about what I did. What can I say; I just can't help myself.

In the part of TX where I live it sounded more like a mobile crisis team where I'd go to different hospitals when they had a patient presenting with a psych issue.

Currently my job is doing research on medications we are hoping to prove curve the cravings for cocaine or cocaine and EtOH, but soon to add narcotics; and in the past we've done MJ, cigarettes, and I'm sure the other classes of drugs.