New Grad Psych Nurse

B52, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 29, 2017

My advice: Stop worrying, be compassionate but set firm boundaries with the patients, and learn as much as you can from the seasoned nurses. If you were comfortable in the clinical environment you'll do fine. In many work places, not just nursing, you'll run into a co-worker who doesn't like you. That's life.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2017

Don't disclose personal information to patients, and don't get personally involved in their lives. Some of them can tell you very compelling stories that may be only partly connected with reality. Leave work at work. Do more listening than talking.

Davey Do · Jun 30, 2017

I am so nervous I am going to do something wrong and end up setting back a patients progress.

If a Patient's progress is set back by something you do, lakfuturenurse, that progress is fragile anyway and if you didn't do something to set it back, something else would have.

I'm also worried the tight knit team won't like me.

You're not there to win a popularity contest, lakfuturenurse- you're there to do a job. Be the kind of nurse others want to work with and you'll be okay.

Good luck and the very best to you, lakfuturenurse!

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2017

If a Patient's progress is set back by something you do, lakfuturenurse, that progress is fragile anyway and if you didn't do something to set it back, something else would have.

Some people are going to regress regardless of what you do. It doesn't mean that you caused it.

Like any other specialty, you will become better at what you do as you gain experience. My first job as a new grad was on an adult mental health and chemical dependency unit. I was not the same nurse when I left as I was my first day on the job - and I had worked on mental health units in other capacities before becoming an RN.

Use your more experienced colleagues as resources as you progress.

Heylove, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 1, 2017

Congratulations! I am a new grad also, and today I was offered a position on the adolescent psychiatric unit. I am SO happy!

audreysmagic, RN · Jul 2, 2017

Congrats on the new job(s)! Psych's a great field, even if some shifts do leave you questioning your life choices. :) But as you can see on AN, that's not exclusive to our specialty. To echo what people have said above, boundaries are the most important thing I can emphasize. You want to be a caring presence, but you cannot let yourself get wrapped up in these patients' lives, or be the one to solve all their problems. You're not going to be there when they leave, and it's a symptom of some conditions to latch on to anyone who seems to care. Don't take the insults or the times you get cursed out personally. It's usually about them not being in control, not you. On the other side of that, don't let the compliments go to your head. They will feel nice, and you should enjoy them, but don't be surprised when you're "the best nurse I've ever had" one shift and "an [expletive] [expletive] [super colorful expletive]" the next. Again, it's not about you.

Be respectful of the established crew and don't freak out if you hear them venting about the work when you start, especially if it's a rough shift, but on the other hand, don't walk on eggshells around them. Ask questions when you need to. Watch what they do and see what works and what doesn't as you develop your own style.

If you haven't developed a sense of gallows humor yet, prepare for that. I was a naturally sarcastic person and an EMT before nursing school, so it came naturally to me...but I recently had the pleasure of watching one of our sweetest new nurses, who's been with us a few months now, deadpan jump in on one of the unit in-jokes... :-D (And it doesn't happen with everyone, true, so don't stress if you're a few months in and feeling like that's lacking...humor is indeed a very personalized thing.)

Also, whatever coping skills got you through school - don't forget them. Psych can be even more of an emotional drain than a physical one sometimes, and you've GOT to take care of yourself on your days off!

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2017

First off, congratulations! My advice would be to be the sponge. My mentor was fantastic and I hope the same for you. Watch your co-workers to see how they handle tough situations and learn from them. Even the not so dedicated can teach you something. You already have a love for mental health, so that is huge!

One safety tip that I learned the hard way is to be aware of your surroundings. Do not place yourself in a position where the patient is between you and the only way out of a room.

I wish you the very best and welcome to the unique and wonderful world of mental health!