New Grad Gero-psych nurse

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Specializes in acute care then Home health.

I am a new grad RN that recently took a gero-psych nursing positon, (brand new unit) working one day per week, per diem. I am looking for another job or new grad program and I dont know if I should stick with psych or try to find a medical job. Has anyone out there ever done two specialties at the same time? I loved psych in school, but I hear it's hard to get out of if you go straight into it after school. Any advice?

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I graduated May 07 and went to work for the oncology unit where I'd worked as a tech before graduating. The 12-hr schedule didn't suit my family, so I quit and went to work in occupational health part time. In this job, I work no weekends or holidays. I missed the hospital, though, and had an opportunity at a prn psych job and took it. I find working in two specialty areas stimulating, but I'm happy because the occ health job pays my bills and the psych job stimulates me. I'm not sure it would be difficult to find a med-surg job after working in psych. As short-staffed as most facilities are, I bet they'd be willing to train you.

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Specializes in acute care then Home health.

007, thank you for your reply. Since I am new at this... what do you think makes for a great psych nurse? I want to be well prepared and :specs: kick some butt as soon as I start.

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I'll let you know when I figure it out, ha! I know I have the ability to stand back and not take any of what goes on personally -- and to leave it at work. Psych is such an emotional specialty, it can burn you out. But then so can med-surg. I don't know what others think, but you either like it or you don't. Many people are so surprised I like it so much. "You work where?!" or "You're kidding!" are common responses when people hear what I work in a mental health unit. To each his own! I think if you read through the threads on this forum, you'll learn a lot. Good luck! As a new grad, you'll have many opportunities to figure out what what you like best.

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Another thing -- You should have opportunity to practice some med-surg in geropsych, although not acute, as many seniors have additional health issues. I work in a crisis-stabilization unit with a gero program. I know when I have senior patients, I do more thorough physical assessments and keep on eye on their medical as well as psych issues. I will admit, though, that I am a better geropsych nurse because of the med-surg experience I got from working oncology ....

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Specializes in acute care then Home health.

good advice. I'm going to mix it up a bit I think. thanx again.

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Specializes in acute care then Home health.

btw I have already gotten the "you want to work where?" response from everyone including some of my fellow new grads and former teachers. I don't know why mental health gets such a bad rep. I did not like med/surg at all, yet most of my fellow classmates are going straight to med/surg. I guess your right. To each his own.

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I'll admit I love seeing the reactions. :chuckle

I'm still learning, so if you have any questions or want to chat, feel free to PM me.

Again, good luck!

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btw what hospital is this?i am a new grad also starting in geropsych. i see you live in la so i was just wondering.

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I am going to graduate soon and I loved mental health. I know that I should work in med surg floor for some experience before going into mental health because i heard if you go to mental health is hard to get out of there. I don't know what to do, can anyone suggest me if I go into the psych right after I graduate I will lose a good opportunity in med surg? Has anyone gone to psych right after graduation? And how are the salaries there? :) Thank you guys

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Specializes in acute care then Home health.

Girl84 Where do you live? It is soooo hard for new grads out here right now in LA. Let me tell you, I started this original post a long time ago and this psych unit is still pending to open 8 months later! I started working med/surg nights right after graduation and hated it. Then about a month ago this psych place sent me a letter telling me my start date (btw they gave me a full-time day position). So I quit my other job and I showed up for training the first week and they made an announcement that the state of CA was again postponing their inspection. So now I'm out of work and I cant find a job anywhere!!! And thats with some experience. At this point I'm looking into LTC. Good luck to you and I say look into everything, go with the flow, and dont be to picky.

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Hey lsvalliant I am sorry for you and the inconvinience that you are experiencing, it's really surprising that you can't find a job here in LA but don't give up keep on looking i am sure you will find something because there is shortage right?:) Maybe you are right I shouldn't be that picky..I just loved psych but maybe I will do some med surg before the psych,I am just wondering if I can handle the 12 hour shifts..but we will see. By the way I am in West La and I was thinking about the psych in the UCLA. It's great there if you haven't apply you should, i have been in clinicals and love it. One question..is there difference in pay in med surg and psych? Good luck!

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