LPN-Psychiatry

[pagandeva2000]

I may be offered a per diem (from an agency) position in psych nursing. I sent in all of my information; license, malpractice, resume, etc... and the orientation is on June 17. I would like to know the following things about psych;

1. I have to take a test on psych meds. What sort of questions might they ask?

2. What are the most common drugs you guys have come across while working in psych? Are there any drugs, in particular, that have special things to observe, such as drug levels, (such as lithium), etc...

3. Should I expect dosage questions? Do they inquire about safe dosages of meds?

4. What is your basic routine working in psych?

At this time, I am looking through drug textbooks, but there is a great deal of information. I am in the process of summarizing what is to be expected, so to speak. And, I will practice NCLEX-styled questions just to get a feel on these medications (almost like reliving the nightmare of that dreaded exam once again, folks). I have to work another job this entire weekend, but I will begin creating a chart to seperate the barbituates, benzodiazephines, anti-anxiety meds and mood stabilizers. I really feel like I am in school again :angryfire. I used to work in psych as an aide, and we used to administer meds, but that was LONG and FAR ago (about 20 years). Some, I remember, others, I don't. I wish I had a bit more time, because at this point, studying is not really my thing anymore, but, I do want to have psych experience as a nurse and this place is in my neighborhood, making it convienent.

Thanks, all!!:heartbeat

[Jules A, MSN]

Kewl! I was so looking foward to you joining us in the wacky, wonderful world of psych nursing.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I'll get there, somehow. At this moment, I am trying to investigate being put on in the psych unit at my own hospital. Hopefully, there will be more than one way to skin a cat. Then, I can join your ranks and share some psych nurse war stories. Do you plan to continue to work in psych once you obtain your RN, or are you going to go into something else? Oh, and how much longer do you have? I seem to remember that you may have one semester left, if you are in a bridge program.

What annoys me even more, is that basically, as a psych tech, we did many of the things that an LPN would do, passing oral medications was one of them. If there are any admissions, of course, I would need to be prompted just a bit, but gee whiz, you know??

Thanks again!

[Jules A, MSN]

I'll get there, somehow. At this moment, I am trying to investigate being put on in the psych unit at my own hospital. Hopefully, there will be more than one way to skin a cat. Then, I can join your ranks and share some psych nurse war stories. Do you plan to continue to work in psych once you obtain your RN, or are you going to go into something else? Oh, and how much longer do you have? I seem to remember that you may have one semester left, if you are in a bridge program.

What annoys me even more, is that basically, as a psych tech, we did many of the things that an LPN would do, passing oral medications was one of them. If there are any admissions, of course, I would need to be prompted just a bit, but gee whiz, you know??

Thanks again!

I'm done! I really love my facility and coworkers, which I know is huge, so I'm going to sit tight for now. I'm trying for a state job and eventually hope to do PRN work here and part-time for the state. All the sudden I'm now worth $15 an hour more, isn't that a crock? Makes me angry that this is not unusual. A friend of mine said that recently when their shift differentials were increased it didn't include the LPNs. :angryfire