Pronurse

8 hours are fine... the 12 hr. shifts depend on whether you work through the night and still have morning hours to do... It depends on whether you are a night person or not. I worked a 12am to 12 noon shift on an inpatient psychiatric unit. It was tough getting through the final four hours. What worked was 12n to 12midnight, but again, it depends on what time of day is best for you. I work 12 hours now. I find it less pressure and there is always something that needs to be done. Having 12 hr shift helps to get more things completed... besides, it helps to give you more time off...

There is a time and place for everything... provacative undergarments, even colored ones, you know black or red under white scrubs is inappropriate. We are professionals, we need to dress that way to reflect our professional attitudes... let's not buy into how the media portrays us...

Stephanie, Like any profession, you must take care of yourself first. I have been a Psychiatric RN for over sixteen years. It would depend where you work, inpatient, partial hospitalization program, a continueing day program or an outpatient setting. I have worked in all those areas.. each has it's stressors and each has it's rewards.... You make time for family, fun and a life outside of work, no matter what type of job/profession..... Psychiatric nursing has been very challenging but also rewarding in many ways. I would highly recommend the field to those who feel they would like to care for a population of people who are often misunderstood, discriminated against and who need support and care! Good luck! Pronurse

Do you believe hospital administration has the right to prohibit wearing tongue piercings or multiple ear piercings while on duty?

Thank you for your response! How long has it taken you to get your BSN online? I will finish a modular RN to BSN program at a local college this May.That took 15 months... I am wondering how long the online master's programs are? Thanks for your input... Good luck as you further advance your degree!

I am just completing a RN to BSN modular program. I am trying to decide whether the online masters programs are worth it? I am seeking opinions for anyone who has been or currently enrolled in an online masters program in nursing.... Where I reside, there is only one university that is offering a masters in nursing. I am interested in psychiatric nursing/NP. Thanks for you input!!

I would suggest you narrow your interest as to where you would want to live in the U.S.A. because of different state regulations for nursing. Once you have an idea of where you might want to live, then you could contact the state board of education for that state. They regulate the nursing licensure. Have you ever been to the U.S.? Forensic nursing... what a challenge! From what I understand, I may be wrong, most forensic units are run by the state government in which they are located.

Laura, You are not even a nurse yet what incredible insight!! I ask myself the same question. I am completing a BSN program and have been a RN for sixteen years... We are addressing similiar topics in class. I agree, if we all pulled our collective voices together... so MUCH could and would be better for nurses! We must get political and take the largest health care profession into the political arena and let our issues be known! I think many people who are nurses may not know how to lobby or are too busy trying to survive to do anything more.... Keep up your spirit!

What information are you looking for? Places to work? Pay? What is your degree and what setting do you practice as a mental health nurse? I am a psychiatric RN.

As a RN completing my BSN degree, I am wondering what other nurses believe: Do you believe if nursing was a male dominated field, would we have the issues that nurses are facing today?

As a psychiatric nurse in the profession for over sixteen years, I would highly recommend it. You have to be able to take good care of yourself. You don't need to wait for a master's program to be in psych nursing. You do need to be a RN if you want to work in the state of new york (that is outside of working for the state of new york)... experience is invaluable.. so starting in the inpatient setting is a great beginning.... I have never regretted psychiatric nursing, as it really is about wholistic approach, because so many factors influence the mental well being of an individual... There are great nursing programs in the state of New York... Roberts Wesleyan College, University of Rochester. State schools... don't know where you reside now.. psychiatric nursing is challenging, never boring and very rewarding... Good Luck!