If you want to work in psych you must be crazy yourself...

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

I want to work in psych when I am done with nursing school. I worked it before nursing school and I loved it. Do other people look at you weird when you tell them that or make comments that only crazy nurses want to work with crazy patients? Or the "takes one to know one" comments?

I have never been a patient in a psych facility, and I consider myself quite sane....Just sayin....

I can stop ellipsesing any time I want...

You know and I know, 3 ellipses is really where it's at...

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
You know and I know, 3 ellipses is really where it's at...

Danielle Steele never thought so........It was the reason I had to quit reading her fervid, overwrought books........it drove me batty.......

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I can stop ellipsesing any time I want...

But why would you want to do that...

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
I can stop ellipsesing any time I want...

This reminds me of a book-plate illustration of a guy reading in an intense/rapt manner. Underneath, it says, "I'm not addicted to reading. I can stop as soon as I finish this chapter."

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
But why would you want to do that...

I'm in the pre-pre planning stage........

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I heard similar things. Statements like that are more of an indicator of their own mental health issues. These days I don't really ever see medical nurses but when I was around them I noticed they exhibit horizontal violence on each other more than other nurses. Confidence comes from not caring what others think and knowing you are osrm regardless of the praise or criticism of others.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
On 6/11/2015 at 2:38 PM, JustKeepDriving said:

I prefer terminally unique, thank you very much!

Honestly though, you just have to shrug off what people say. It will go a long way both in your practice as a psychiatric nurse (those patients come up with the best insults ever... Urban dictionary becomes your friend in psychiatric nursing) and in life. Can't take it personally.

The Psych field in general still has a huge stigma (both patients and those that choose to work in the field). You'll hear a lot of things like "psychiatric nurses aren't real nurses", "Only crazy people work psych", "those patient's are disgusting, how can you work with people like that", "It's so violent!", and other things.

I had coworkers and patients in the OR that were legit "crazier" and more violent than the patient's in my maximum security forensic psychiatric unit (criminally insane). The fact is that no matter what area you go into in nursing (or even out of nursing) you'll deal with some level of "crazy". There is this huge misconception that the mentally ill are all confined to nice little psychiatric units where only the crazy psychiatric nurses have to deal with them. Which is just not true.

JustKeepDriving, I have also worked in surgery for over 15 years and encountered a fair amount of mental illness in coworkers. Many openly talked about how they could only work in the OR because they knew they couldn't function socially. One coworker, in particular, talked about her psych meds, and became explosive if she was under additional stress. She even had the nickname of "crazy Crystal" which she referred to herself with. Another one would repetitively talk to herself, and sing. She also had a bit of a mean streak, but she always showed up for work and was reliable so she stayed on staff for many years. This behavior could only be tolerated in a closed unit with patients under anesthesia however, I always made sure to take any pediatric cases that came through so they would not be exposed to these individuals. Imagine how frightening it must be to be at your most vulnerable, and sense that your nurse's behavior is off. Now, I am transitioning to a psych NP and have felt a huge stigma from friends and family for my choice. I started out in an FNP track and moved into the PMHNP program. I felt an immediate shift in enthusiasm and distancing by certain individuals in my life. I realize this is a fear-based stigma, however, these are educated medical professionals so I expected more. I have many nurses and a surgeon in my immediate family, and I can sense that they value my choice of FNP more than PMHNP. I am confident in my decision and am used to defending my position so it makes little difference to me.
However, the stigma is real.

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This reminded me ...

I recall working at an old state asylum. I had little experience with psych but really LOVED my psych rotation in school.

During my first week it was hard to tell who were actual staff and who were volunteer staff. Some were volunteer advocates while others were in paid positions on staff but no one wore uniforms. I asked my preceptor how do I tell which are staff members and which are not. She replied, “Sometimes the only difference between us and them is that we have the keys.” Then she jingled this huge set of keys and laughed hysterically. I absolutely loved working there. Moving was the only reason I quit.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

In my experience I rarely get any negative feedback for being a psych nurse. In fact it's just the opposite in most cases. I will say the people I work with are the most interesting, caring and compassionate group of people I have ever met. Most of us have been working at the facility for several years and we always welcome and mentor new nurses. Maybe that's why I have such a hard time believing in the whole nurse bullying thing. While I'll admit there are a few unpleasant people there - that's just personalities.

Psych patients are everywhere not just confined to the psych ward. In fact I would venture to say the world is just one big psych ward with fresh air.

Hppy

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