New psych nurse starting on new adult unit

[KBRN2013]

I just got hired for a mental health facility that will be opening an adult unit soon. I am SO excited! I worked OB for a year, and then I've stayed home with my baby the past year so I'm happy to get back to work (per diem) . It will be an hour drive but I wont be making it everyday so I can deal with that. I also think it will be nice to start working on a new unit since I am new to the facility. I've been reading through the threads and just want to thank you all for your advice and for sharing your experiences. I will be in for a culture shock when I start but I've never felt so excited about a job before. I am so drawn to the psych world. I hope I love it. I want to learn as much as I can and help the patients as much as possible. Thanks again for all the advice, it has taught me a lot already.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Good luck!

[Davey Do]

When you say, KBRN2013, "I've been reading through the threads", you've taken a good first step to gaining information on the specific dynamics of Psych Nursing.

I've found that there are lots of great information by competent Professionals on this Forum.

Good luck in your new position, KBRN2013!

[Retired APRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Good luck and enjoy yourself!

[LisaNICUrn, BSN]

Just embrace it. A lot of time psych nurses get the rap that we aren't "real" nurses or we "Lose" our nursing skills, but once you start psych nursing you realize we not only use many "real" nursing skills, but so many more skills are used on a daily basis to ensure safety as well as educate and help our patients feel better, we just do it with different skills.

Not everyone is made to be a psych nurse. That is so true, b/c you have to look at a patient and realize their "problem," or reason for admission isn't like others, it's not noticable a lot of time times, unless you have a psychotic patient responding to hallucinations or delusions or a suicidal patient who attempted suicide. A lot of it is what many people see as "giving in to," or "babying" the patient. Sometimes they really just need someone to talk to, to listen to them, or reassure them. Theraupetic communication is the key to being sucessful in this profession. If you learn that, and learn to use your "skills" on each patient individually, you can truly love what you do. But if you look at each patient as weak for not being able to handle a break up, or stupid for attempting suicide, it will be a long career for you, and you'll grow to hate it, but if you embrace your patients and take time to know them, know their story and their history, you'll learn the true difference you can make for your patient. Good luck and welcome.