Love Mental Health Nursing!

[ramona13]

At first I was wary of going to the psych floor for clinicals. I thought I was putting myself in a dangerous situation and felt like my school was punishing me. Boy was I wrong! I had a delightful time. I am completely enamored with all the patients. I know all their names and I feel so much compassion towards them. The rotation is almost over and I am actually sad about it.

The sad part is that I don't think I would be able to actually work there. I am a small female, kind of cute. People have warned of the perverts that go through the psych unit and that I wouldn't be suited for it. Should I take this to heart and find another specialty?

[Jules A, MSN]

Well if you really like it I'd find a professional way to redirect any innapropriate behavior. You could also work on a female or Peds unit. And take my word for it in 20 years it won't be an issue no matter how cute you are now.

[MissGwen]

The sad part is that I don't think I would be able to actually work there. I am a small female, kind of cute. People have warned of the perverts that go through the psych unit and that I wouldn't be suited for it. Should I take this to heart and find another specialty?

No, you should not take this to heart and find another speciality unless you do not think you can deal with it in a professional manner. There are multiple nurses who are attractive who work in psych. Plus, what is attractive to one person may not be attractive to another; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To be honest with you, in my opinon psych patients are more interested in caring, compassionate, empathetic nurses than what they look like. Seems the key here would be how YOU react to patients.

So, I guess what you need to ask yourself is if you think you would be able to redirect patients. If you think you would get caught up in compliments,etc. then what you need to realize is that manipulation is the name of the game for some patients. It is important that you fully understand that. Furthermore, I am sure there are those with sexual fixations,etc. in every field of nursing. So, most likely, that is something you are going to have to deal with regardless.

:)

g