New grads in the Psych ED

Whispera, MSN, RN · Mar 26, 2009

By psych ED, do you mean psych emergency department or what? If you do mean psych emergency department, from having worked all varieties of psych, my opinion is you'd do better to get some generic psych experience under your belt before dealing with emergency assessments and interventions. You'll know more about disorders and what's appropriate to do after some experience.

vjhappy · Mar 26, 2009

Yes, Whispera, I did mean the Psych Emergency Department. Thanks for replying!

Mr Ian · Mar 28, 2009

Anywhere is a learning experience.

Depends on how well the places are set up and what support you've got that makes the difference.

If it's a rancid Psych ED - don't go there. Same as a rancid enduring illness ward.

But the psych ED can be fraught with clinical and emotional trauma more than most the other places.

NPAlby · Mar 28, 2009

I would say absolutely not. it's way too dangerous for you, your fellow co-workers and possibly the patients. Most psych ed's that Ive seen are pretty small and poorly staffed. I worked at a comprehensive psych ed (CPEP) with social workers, multiple psych doctors and nurses and still think it's not safe. You need to be able to make quick assessments and make quick decisions about potentially violent situations. That being said I think after some time on an inpatient floor the psych ed is a great learning experience for a future psych np. Hope this doesn't sound negative but I've seen a new grad crash and burn in the psych ed and have had my own nightmare shifts where the only other nurse had minimal experience. As a psych np student. the psych ed has been a great learning experience and should be recommended as part of your clinical experience.

Itshamrtym · May 31, 2009

Good question OP!!!! I'm in MD. and a local hospital ALWAYS has openings in the pych ed.... HMMMMM. I wonder why.... Thanks to the people that answered your post, now my suspicions have been validated. Good luck with your decision and future career goals. TAKE CARE

ivyleaf · Jun 4, 2009

I've been a psych nurse for 2 years, and I would say no, unless there is a substantial preceptorship. Unless you have years of psych experience as a mental health worker, you should get some general psych experience. Psych is not the main focus in nursing school, and IMO you/anyone in your situation wouldn't have an adequate background to deal with emergencies, unless the preceptorship was substantial/lengthy. Just my 2c, though!

elkpark · Jun 4, 2009

Maybe I'm just being an "old fogey" here, but I've been a psych nurse my entire career, first as a staff nurse and then as a child psych CNS, and I would strongly discourage any new grad from starting out in a psych ED setting (or discourage anyone from hiring a new grad to work in a psych ED). Get a job and get some experience in an inpatient psych unit first, and then consider working in the ED after you have some solid experience and expertise.

Esp. if it's a unit that has a lot of turnover and is always looking for staff -- that is a big red flag in any setting or specialty!

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2009

I will echo what has already been said by others. The paltry mental health training given in nursing schools is far from enough to prepare new grads to make the kinds of decisions that must be made in emergency situations. Get some general experience first, then decide whether this is something you want to do.

vjhappy · Jun 5, 2009

Thanks for all the new responses! I've taken everything that everyone has said to heart. I'm doing a summer nursing internship on an inpatient psych unit to learn more about being a psychiatric nurse. If all goes well, hopefully I'll be offered a new grad position in August!

BTW, it's so funny when I talk to other nursing interns about my position. The first thing they say is, "You actually ASKED for psych!" LOL... so it begins! :loveya: