Info about psych units in Seattle area

Nurselacey · Aug 12, 2008

Hi Totallearner,

I am a new graduate and just accepted a job as Western State Hospital. I did my clinical's there and loved it!! I don't know about any other psych hospitals as I was really only interested in Western. I do know that Harborview in Seattle and Providence in Olympia have Psych wards. :nurse:

Perpetual Student · Aug 12, 2008

Edited for privacy. PM will be sent to OP.

Nurselacey · Aug 12, 2008

Edited for privacy. PM will be sent to OP.

Hi perpetual student,

Your messsage was never sent to me except for the first few words so I am unable to respond.

Nurselacey:nurse:

Perpetual Student · Aug 13, 2008

Oh, sorry, I didn't notice you have less than 15 posts, making it so you can't access the private message function. Once you have 15 posts you should be able to read the whole message that I sent.

kerouac01 · Feb 28, 2009

Hi Nurselacey, I just saw that you're were working at the Western State Hospital and wanted to know if you were still there and if you liked it. Would you mind giving me some info on that place? I'm thinking pretty seriously of applying there and moving to that part of the country. What kind of hours do you work? What different types of units are there? Are there many openings? I don't have psych experience, but do have 3 years of med/surg. Would I be someone they're interested in? Thanks for the help!

Nurselacey · Mar 2, 2009

Hi.,

Yes, I am working at Western State Hospital...I really enjoy working there. The RNS manage the floor and do

all the treatment plans etc..Your Med-Surg experience would be an asset. Each floor typically has 4 LPNs(treatments and meds)and 4 or 5 MHTs and 2 RNS a psychiatrist, psychologist, medical doc, 2 social workers. Western State is always looking for RNS. We have the center for forensics services which is where all those who

are criminally insane or waiting to be evaluated for mental illness after committing a crime are housed. It can be very stressful at times (a lot) like most nursing jobs and you really need to love Psych nursing as these patients are the sickest of the sick..We have a lot of physically ill people here with severe mental illness so it can be challenging figuring out what you are dealing with and managing both illnesses at the same time. I hope this helps and I will answer any other questions you have.. :nurse:

kerouac01 · Mar 2, 2009

Thank you so much for the help! How many patients are typically on a unit? Are the evening and night shifts staffed as well as the day shifts as far as RN's, LPN's, and MHT's go? How long did it take you to get hired on? Do you work 8, 10, or 12 hour shifts? Thanks again!

Nurselacey · Mar 3, 2009

All the units are staffed the same. I have never seen a unit with less than four MHTs,two LPNs..Sometimes if they are short staffed there will be one RN and 1 LPN. If I am the only RN on the floor my supervisor is always available and calls to see if I need anything. Everyone is very supportive. If you have 1:1 monitorings then more staff is pulled to your ward. The shifts are 8 hours long. You can always call HR and find out info on hiring. It is not a long process for hiring. I applied after graduating(did preceptorship at WSH) and was recruited while I was there. It can be dangerous at times but lots of staff and you are never left understaffed..I love it..

malenurz · Mar 3, 2009

Compass Health runs a locked-down psych unit in South Everett, about 20 miles north of Seattle. It's a small facility, with only 12 beds or so.