PHP/Day Rehab vs Psych ER

[Lizlaw]

I currently work as a RN in a Psychiatric Emergency Center at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I am considering applying for two outpatient positions: PHP and Day Rehab. I have never worked outpatient before or even observed what occurs. What are the responsibilities of the RN? Will I be bored after being in such a high-stress environment? Thank your for your feedback.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Will I be bored after being in such a high-stress environment?

Yes...No...maybe...

What part of your current job do you find the most challenging & fulfilling?

What are the least desirable parts?

It will certainly be less stressful and slower paced, possibly allow more interaction, but I have no idea if that will be more or less boring/exciting.

Why not apply, see what happens?

[Lizlaw]

The part I like best is triage, and teaching about dx and meds. The least desirable is having 10 patients and having to triage my own patients, too. A slower pace would be nice.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

You likely will have more time for that, I'd suggest applying and talking to them.

Good Luck

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

PHP (partial hospitalization) is basically a 6 hour program that straddles between inpatient and outpatient. Nurses in PHP will do admissions, discharges, transfers to inpatient, administer medications (usually comfort meds such as APAP, or maintenance injections), check VS, collect specimens, do POC testing, do assessments as needed, coordinate care with PCPs, and maybe even run a group or two.

It's definitely slower than Psych ER (I've worked both). However, there aren't as many nurses in PHP--if the program is small enough, you may be the only RN--so you may find yourself responsible for more than 10 patients. On the brighter side, all those patients are going to be fairly stable so it's not as though you'll be triaging/assessing/medicating every one of them every day.