Orientation for new grad Psych Nurse Practitioners

[weitt]

How long should I expect my orientation to be as a new grad starting her first job as a psych NP? I am working in a psychiatric eval center. Thanks.

[onegoodnerve]

I don't have an answer to your question, I was curious as to what school you got your Masters from. I'm thinking of going back for my NP and am interested in a reputable program. Thank you

[Psychcns]

I think you should get weekly sit down supervision with a psychiatrist or APRN and have a way to have your questions about patients answered as they come up..

You should start with a low caseload. 1-2 patients per hour while you learn the paperwork.

[Psychcns]

Actually for evaluations, you should sit in on a few and be given extra time with opportunity for feedback when you start doing your own..

[PsychiatricNP]

How long should I expect my orientation to be as a new grad starting her first job as a psych NP? I am working in a psychiatric eval center. Thanks.

I have found that this varies significantly from place to place, but overall, most facilities will offer a very minimal orientation (a few hours). I have several part-time jobs and work in two independent practice states (I mention this because I work in environments that sometimes do not have an MD/APRN to consult with). All of the jobs (inpatient, outpatient, psych emergency room and correctional) all expected me to begin seeing patients independently essentially immediately - this was the case for outpatient, inpatient and psych emergency room. In the correctional setting (this was the exception), I did have the opportunity to spend a morning (about 4 hours) with a psychiatrist seeing patients with him, the next day my clinic schedule was full and I had to manage my patient load independently. In most situations there will be colleagues around to talk through cases or discuss logistics and paperwork with. The demand in the areas that I work in so great that there is a lot of "sink or swim" mentality. I had recommended one of my classmates for a job at the psych emergency room - she went to the interview and immediately told them she wasn't interested in the job because she felt like she needed a minimum of a four week orientation - they told her that three 12 hour orientation shifts was the norm. You know your skill set and what you feel like you need to practice comfortably and competently, don't be afraid to ask for what you need - if the organization cannot provide this for you, then it might not be the right place for you at this point in your career. Best of luck!

[harmonizer]

Unfortunately, most place do not provide any orientation. You are expected to be equipped with knowledge / skills since you got your degree. They will give you lighter patient's load at first for a few weeks and they might be more flexible providing peer consultation. Most places, it will be either "sink or swim"

[NPAlby]

Agree with the above posters. I think I had a week or so of orientation but that was just because it took a while to get me credentialed for their insurers, mental health system. My second job was more like here's the office and theres the bathroom. I was the only prescriber on site so just had to roll with it. I cant imagine asking for a minimum of 4weeks for orientation. sounds painful!