Internship on a Trauma Unit

[PerkyNurse55]

Hey guys!

I'm a student (BSN) and I just got a phone call from one of the psych hospitals in my area saying that they accepted my application and I'm going to be working there as an intern this summer! Yay! The unit that I'm assigned to is the Psychiatric Trauma unit. What sorts of things should I expect on this unit? Tips or tricks for working there this summer? Thanks! :)

[marshmallowstar, BSN, RN]

Yay trauma! It's my passion and position where I've grown the most. Our unit speacilizes in adult survivors of childhood trauma so our most common dx are PTSD and dissociative identity disorder. Of course depression and anxiety go hand and hand with trauma histories. DID patients are often missed diagnosed with various other dx particularly psychosis or borderline PD.

You should find out what type of trauma your unit specializes in (childhood trauma, veterans, recent trauma) and read up on trauma theory, sidran.org has some great resources.

Most importantly soak in knowledge from the staff; watch how they deescalate patients, how do they get them out of flashbacks, how they set limits. As an intern notice how the nurses manage their time and reprioritize throughout the day. Notice the relationship with treatment team members, how do they delegate to the mental health workers.

Be present, go with the flow and ask questions!