new job in psych

[cherilee]

Hi Everyone,

I will be starting my new job in an acute psych inpatient setting in two weeks. Coming from med surg, what should I expect?? Im excited and nervous.

Originally it was supposed to be in the dual diag. unit, but they switched me to the other setting, acute diag.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I worked as an LVN medication nurse in an acute inpatient unit at a small community psychiatric hospital a while back. This unit was called the "Crisis Stabilization Unit."

You will rarely use any of the bedside nursing skills that you accrued during your time in med/surg. If you are the RN, you will probably be responsible for admission assessments, shiftly charting, supervision of the mental health technicians and LPNs, admission paperwork, participation in group therapy sessions, and other assorted duties.

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

I just started in pysch 2 weeks ago so it would be difficult for me to tell you what to expect. But, I will tell you that I like it so far. It has been different than what I imagined. I still get nervous at times but it hasnt been that long. We do not have any assualtive patients on the unit at this time. Some have gotten agitated and started raising thier voice but quickly brought under control (this has been mostly with the adolescents).

I am an LPN and I pass the meds and interact with the patients on the floor. My co-workers are wonderful and helpful. I am not looking forward to my first escalation and possible containment that would follow if not brought under control. I would be the one giving the IM:eek:.

I guess in pysch you have to expect anything to happen at any time:bugeyes:.