Maryland / DC Psych RNs? Please advise...

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I have been a nurse for 7 years and have worked in ICU, CCU and in the PACU in that time. I would like to try out psych nursing because it's something I've always been interested in, and I am also ready for a change. I am wondering if anyone out there that has worked in psych nursing in the Maryland / DC area (I live right outside DC in Maryland) could recommend places to work in the area? (or places that I should stay away from) I am also wondering if I will encounter problems with finding a job since I do not have experience working specifically on a psych unit? Thank you very much!

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I'm in the exact same boat as you, with similar credentials, but only 2.5 yrs as an RN. But i'm in the Southwestern United States. Have submitted a few applications to psych facilities thus far... no bites as of yet, but it's only been about 8 days.

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

I worked as a tech at Sheppard Pratt (in Towson, about 20 minutes from Baltimore), which is a pretty well known hospital and has a wide variety of specialties. That said, I know I'll always be able to get a job there due to my previous experience of working there but I found there to be alot of politics and wasn't exactly on board with all of their principles. I'll be working as a new grad on the general psych unit at a different hospital. St. Joseph's has a psych unit and GBMC has a med-psych unit, both of which are also located in Towson. Johns Hopkins Hospital also has I think 9 psychiatric specialty units.

I can't say much for anything else or the DC area.

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Stay away from Union Memorial Hospital-the most disorganized hospital I've been to.

Sibley Hospital, too many Geriatrics as old as 95.

GWU, the pay is $1.50 lower than the average in the area.

You can find out for yourself the rest of these psycho hospitals.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'd apply for sure. Most of my fellow nurses have backgrounds similar to yours. I've heard good things and bad things about most places. University of MD, Balto/Washington Hosp and I think Bayview all have psych units. Contrary to the other poster's experience I have heard more good than bad about Union and while Geri-psych can be challenging and isn't my first choice there are many nurses that wouldn't do anything else. Good luck!

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I've heard really bad things about Potomac Ridge Hosp. so I'd stay away from there! I presently work on psych at Montgomery General Hospital(and was a labor and delivery nurse before that!). We do have some problems but all in all it's nice place to work;but they don't pay as well as other area hospitals and we also get our share of the elderly... Interview with the evening/night supervisor, Nancy H. if you should pursue this; she is great! Good Luck!

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Thank you all very much for your replies. I really appreciate your insights.

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I currently work at Springfield Hospital Center in Sykesville, MD and I was hired with no psych experience. I like it there... it's a state facility with awesome benefits. I love the work, the patients... my supervisor. Everything. I'm not sure how far of a drive it would be from the DC area, but it's worth looking into. :)

- Jess

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