LPN in psych hospitals

happthearts · Feb 21, 2005

Hi everyone! I am going to be attending school for LPN and my goal after that is to go back for RN. I really want to be a psych nurse but I want to make sure that is what I want to do before I go through all that school. I decided to go for LPN first so I can get my foot in the door and start working in the psych hospitals right away. If there are any LPN's that work in psych hospitals can you please give me any advice and tell me what it is like in a typical day? Any advice very much appreciated! :)
Christina

Haven't been in psych latley But The LPN did most things the RN did except the RN was charge.Pass meds do take downs chart admit and seach Pt. .Run groups when needed.etc.We have LPNs here in utah in mental health.

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2005

:) My sister just passed her NCLEX-PN last August. She is currently working as an LPN at the state psych center. Also three people who work at the same establishment are in my LPN class and are being sponsered by (and receiving a weekly pay grant) from the psych center. So in short, yes- as an LPN you can work in mental health (at least in NY) and your responsibilities will change very little between your LPN and RN licenses. The biggest change will be the pay! :rotfl:

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 24, 2005

When I was a LPN I worked in a small locked psych facility. We only had one RN in the facility...and she was the Director of Nursing. LPN's were charge nurses on 2nd & 3rd shift. I worked 2nd shift. I was a charge and oversaw 3 CNA's and the dietary staff. I'd start at 4 p.m. After report I'd start the 5 p.m. med pass, then do some chart checks & problem solving (ie. calling the pharmacy because we didn't have something, call the doc, etc.) Then I'd help the CNA's out with getting pts. ready for bed...dealing with the pts. as needed. Then the 9 p.m. med pass...then help get them settled into bed. From about 10:30 to midnight I'd finish up charting and talking one-on-one pts. who really needed it, etc. Honestly, a lot of my time was spent playing "referee" between pts. arguing, etc. We had a few unstable schizophrenic patients who could be quite a handful as well. Sometimes I miss working in psych...some days I don't...