chelleanne

I did the same. I went into nursing to challenge myself and to grow. I've also tried many different types of nursing. I find that once the challenge is gone, I get bored and question nursing completely.

Intj - behavioral health case manager

Oh, this is fun! Let's see....housekeeper, US Army Reserves, Mailroom Clerk, Preschool teacher and Administrative Assistant.

Thanks! I have researched the company. I was just hoping to get a "reality check" from someone who has worked with this company. Companies have their vision and mission statements, but sometimes the politics while working for the company is completely different. Also, for those working telephonic case management (in office) what were the things you enjoyed about the work? What was difficult or surprising about the work?

I'm considering applying with Cenpatico as a Behavioral Case Manager. Does anyone have any info on what it's like to work for this company and salary?

Thank you macfar28! I have learned to trust my gut while working in psych. And it was telling me that something bad could very well happen. I hope that nothing happens to the staff or patients, but I feel it's only a matter of time. I just want everyone to be safe and for the patients to feel safe. The patients would make comments all the time about the low staffing.

I've decided to take another position due to staffing levels. I'm excited and sad all at the same time. Psych nursing is my love...but I can't put safety by the wayside. I've taken a position at a health department, so I'm excited as this is something totally new!

I appreciate everyone's posts! I feel so much better about my choice to take a pay cut. Thanks for the encouragement and to be able to look forward to a better quality of life. Chelle

Wow! I can't believe how timely this post is...I just last week made the decision to leave my current job for less pay, about 7.50/hr less. This will be an adjustment since I'm the primary earner in my family, but it's with the health department and the benefits are great. My husband keeps telling me I've made the right decision...I don't actually start the new job for another week. Time will tell!

What do you consider to be safe staffing levels for an inpatient psych facility? We have 1 nurse for 16 patients and then two techs (our techs help with meals, smoke breaks and personal care). Sometimes this is overwhelming should anyone require extra attention...either sudden acute medical or mental episode. I believe it's just too much responsibility for one nurse but that is the "matrix sent from corporate". The state I;m in requires and "average monthly" of one staff for four patients except on nights.

Yay for psych nursing!

Loving my new job!

I have always loved psychology. My first nursing job was med/surg. Then went to psych, it was too far to drive on a regular basis but I loved it! Then went to another hospital close to home on med/surg again. I can take or leave med/surg Just got hired back into psych -dual diagnosis facility. I'm back home!!! So excited!!!

I work med/surg floor. We've been having average of 8-9 patients of a mix, rehab, tele with a drip, fresh post-ops, blood infusions...busy nights!

I can't imagine working in the ER! I think that's something you either love or hate. Psych is like that, too, I think. I can't wait to start working psych. Thanks for your comment that you enjoyed your clinical at St. Charles, that's very encouraging to me.

Yahoo! Congratulations! I'm a newly hired mental health nurse, too, and also my dream job! Keep us posted how things go.

Thanks for your reply! Actually I meant to type St. Charles...I'll be working on the psych unit. What unit do you work for at St. V's? Do you enjoy working there?

Ayvah, thanks so much! I am getting excited! ms.rosebud, let me know how it goes for you, too. You're right, it is stressful being the primary breadwinner and NOT liking your job (UGH!!!). Praying for you that a better opportunity comes up for you and for your father's health.

Ayvah, thank you so much for your reply! Yes, the job I'm in is not where I want to be. I can't imagine having to work there until my husband is done with school. Bleh! I have been offered the other job, it's just pending based on my physical. I have already decided to take the job! I'm excited but don't really share that enthusiasm with my hubby because he wants to bring me down about the decision. I will be a much more alive person once I start this other job. Right now, all I want to do is sleep or cry because of the stress of the other job. So family life will also benefit! Ayvah, thank you so much for your encouragement and enthusiasm!

Otessa, you make a good point! But I have schoolage kids, too. I see them max two evenings a week and two days on the weekend I'm off....so every other weekend but they're at the ages where they like to do things with their friends, too. This would enable me to see them more often and to be able to go to their activities. On a side note, I've supported my husband through lots of things and never being a naysayer. If it was the wrong decision, I never said "I told you so". I allowed him the opportunity to give it a go because you just don't know how things will turn out. I also didn't want him to resent me for not allowing him to try. He's talked to others for their opinion, but he hears only what he wants to hear. LOL We could both be listening to the same person and both have different synopsis of what was said! My husband made the decision to go to a school that is an hours drive away and back to get his degree. He could have chosen to go to a great school in our town and it would have cost less, but he did what he wanted. Am I wrong for feeling unsupported?

For now, I'm the primary household earner. My hubby is going back to school. He'll be done in two years. So it would be awful if I lost my job. I have an opportunity to do the type of nursing I enjoy (Psych) that would be 3 - 12 hour shifts, but I'm meeting resistance from my hubby. The drive will be 1 1/2 hour drive to and then also from work (we live in the midwest so snow can make the drive longer) it's third shift and they offered me the lowest pay on their scale. Right now, I work on a med/surg unit (I don't want to do this type of nursing for any longer than necessary) on second shift and is only 1/2 drive. It depresses me when I think about it. Ughhhhh! I don't know what to do, I know what I want, but I have to think about everyone, hubby and family.

Susan, Thanks so much for your reply! After reading it, I'm even more excited! I currently work on a med/surg unit and when I have the time to spend with say an anxious patient and listen to them and let them know that I'm there for them (treating the whole person!) I feel as though I've had the best day! To me, that's what nursing is. I will definately let you know how things go. Thank you again for sharing! Chelle

Does anyone know that shift differential for St. V's in Toledo?

Simply Complicated, congratulations on the job! Keep us posted how it goes!

Tyvin, thanks for your reply! Your post was confirmation to what I experienced in my psych rotation and what I expect when I start working. The unit I'm going to work is in the hospital in the psychiatric department and the geriatric unit is one of five in that department. My experience right now on the job is working a small hospital on second shift general floor (we're the only floor besides ER) so when we get admissions (and the majority happen on our shift), we, too do all the paperwork etc. as we don't have a unit clerk. We also do not have a pharmacy after 3:00pm so we're reconciling the meds and pulling them for the new patients as well. I cannot wait to start working and I agree with the communication! It's the nonverbals that trip most people up! I work very hard when I'm stressed to be cognizant of what I'm saying through body posture and gestures. I'm very good at reading people...and as far as people stepping all over me...well, I try to be understanding and give you the benefit of the doubt but if someone takes that as weakness and a chance to bulldoze me, it won't happen! I'll keep you all posted how it goes! Thanks again for your input!