Need advice for mental health job

mentalhealthRN · Feb 17, 2011

Sure. I think it is fine. It may be helpful. I am actually waiting to hear on a job for an outpatient PROS program. Here in NY the Office of Mental Health is pushing for PROS programs in in place of IPRT/CTD, etc. PROS standing for Personalized Recovery Oriented Services. The focus of this model of care is to get those with mental health issues stable and to push to get them more functioning in society....via jobs, education, etc. To teach them to learn to live with their symptoms and funtion with them. You are an example of what they are trying to do. Its really interesting stuff. http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/pros/

here is a link to the site with info about the model of care. You may find it interesting both as a person who suffers from some mental health issues as well as a person who in a professional capacity caring for folks with mental health issues. -- So yeah I say go for it. Just always be aware of your own health.

I am currently reading a book called "Disaster Psychiatry" and it's interesting to hear these psychiatrists who are able to be self-reflective of their own feelings and reactions and their own mental well being. They talk a lot about needing to be aware of yourself. Interesting book you may find you would enjoy.

Good luck to you and I think you will be great. This may make your ability to be empathetic even more so.

FreudianSlip · Feb 17, 2011

In my opinion, I don't think this will be beneficial to you in the long run. From my own observation, nurses (and other health care workers) who have existing mental health disorders, often see their disorders exacerbated when working in the field. Why exactly? Stress, maybe. The stress psych nurses have is different from med-surg nurses...psych is very emotionally taxing due to the nature of the clients and crisis interventions. Maye too much reinforcement from other unhealthy individuals...Constant bombardment of information regarding mental health issues. Also, these individuals are going to have potentially a greater deal of difficulty in not identifying with patients with similiar issues...thus leading to poor client-nurse boundaries. I very much agree with the above poster that PROS is a great program and that all individuals who have mental health disorders should strive to function at high levels. But, I would not actively encourage people with existing disorders to pursue psychiatric work (I know many will disagree with me on this...perhaps angrily).

Especially, since it sounds like you are not really interested in psych, but rather with simply having a paying nursing job at this point. On that note, I would highly encourage you to re-evaluate your resume and the positions that you are looking for. I understand the economic climate is still quite grim, but 40+ applications without an interview is certainly significant enough to give pause.

This advice is from a current psych nurse and educator and former hiring manager in psych, if that helps put things in perspective.I hope this is helpful, not at all meant to be hurtful...only to help you find your way.

ol_red07 · Feb 17, 2011

@ FreudianSlip: Your advice sounds reasonable. To clarify, let me ask this, What about a nurse who has mental health issues (depression, AD/HD) but is very interested in all things psyche? In your opinion and with your background, would that person be a good candidate to move into psyche nursing? Thanks!

FreudianSlip · Feb 17, 2011

@ FreudianSlip: Your advice sounds reasonable. To clarify, let me ask this, What about a nurse who has mental health issues (depression, AD/HD) but is very interested in all things psyche? In your opinion and with your background, would that person be a good candidate to move into psyche nursing? Thanks!

I'd still stand by my previous statement as far as my own observations...but with that being said, it really depends on the individual; i.e. how significant is the disease process, how well is it managed, how strong are the individual's coping mechanisms and support system, etc. And does the strong interest stem from a true love of psychiatric study...or more a strong interest due to personal association? How's that for a generic, PC answer? LOL.

opossum · Feb 17, 2011

I am a new grad and I also just started a psych nursing job. I also am on meds for depression.

I think FreudianSlip made some good points to consider...but ultimately, I believe ANY nursing job will challenge you in ways that exacerbates a mental health issue. In my experience, my med-surg rotations in school were more stressful for me because I did identify more with patients there. Pts on my psych unit suffer from so many different disease processes and have the highest acuity - many exhibit paranoid delusions and violent, psychotic behavior. I don't feel that I identify so much with these particular pts and I find that my boundaries aren't as challenged as they were in other settings.

And while I don't advocate going in to a specialty unless you truly are interested, your options as a new grad are terribly limited (such was the case with me, too). Unemployment is sure to exacerbate depression and anxiety...something to think about.

The key, I think, is to know yourself, be aware of what you're feeling and talk about it - to other nurses or perhaps a therapist. Hope this helps...good luck.

alynnia · Feb 17, 2011

Thank you all for your responses - I will weigh them carefully. I'm honestly not sure where my true nursing passion lies. I don't feel pulled toward any certain nursing specialty like most people describe, and I'm not sure how to find that "pull"! Some people say that you just have to try different specialties to find your fit, but I'm certainly trying to figure out if psych nursing could be a good fit before I accept a job!