apoppyfield

"Crazy" isn't exclusive to psych units. I've dealt with several people on an acute floor with Axis I & II dx.

I've got to get that book!

I hope not! I just signed up to hear the response from others.

I know exactly what you mean blue sky. I don't want to buy scrubs that I won't be able to wear.

I can't wait to be a psych RN. My entire career has prepared me to enter this field.

And once you start on the job, leave the personal stuff out.

Hello, I just wanted to start a new thread for the employees working at the new hospital. I will be starting soon and know that there are unique problems working at a facility that it opening, like putting out fires all over the place. In addition, this is a new model in prison health care which may present it's own challenges. Would like to hear from anyone working here about pitfalls or how they are coping with this unique environment.

Your IV drug book should give parameters for everything. I agree with a lot of the comments above that diluted meds are easier to control.

Toxic workplace... wow that doctor. Be glad you got out before you got Stockholm syndrome.

It might work for someone with insight, but for someone in crisis, not. There are even patients in medsurg that would not be appropriate for bedside reporting.

Hi Bluesky, Yes I got the good news and am hoping to connect with other employees working there. Sent you a pm to catch up.

Excellent narrative. Thank you.

Anyone working at Stockton state hospital or CHCF?

Sounds like the SPT is out of line. Check with your supervisor or union rep.

This question can really be an eye opener to the interviewer if you are not prepared for it. You want to give a realistic answer that isn't loaded with "me-isms" such as: (I like the money or "easy" work). If nothing else a neutral answer will suffice.(an opportunity to reinstate in the retirement system I previously worked for and work in psych nursing for 5-10 years). This is an opportunity to state how your background and experience has prepared you to work in a correctional facility. ( I worked with patients suffering from mental illness, ex-offenders, or referred pts to drug and alcohol programs). You can also add as a statement that you will follow protocol, not bring in or take out anything for an inmate. There was a great thread on here about correctional questions. Search for interview questions for lots of ideas.

Their staff must be sitting in the parking lot having panic attacks before walking into work. Bad management is bad management in whatever profession.

My thought after reading your post is that if you have something going on that's good, why change?

The psych techs give meds at the facility I'm working. Great experience to get familiar with meds. A very responsible position.

Glad I kicked the habit 20+ years ago. I know nobody wants to be forced to quit, but I hope it saves some of us a lot of grief. Just buried a friend who died at 54 yo who used to swear he had a right to smoke and no one could make him stop.

I wish I had read this before my interview a few weeks ago. Do you ever take the pt out for a walk?

The interview went ok. There were 4 questions, 2 questions about diabetes and 2 of which were psych scenarios. I did okay, but was nervous. So they said I should hear something in 3 weeks, depending on when they get ahold of my references. I guess if they are going to the trouble of contacting references that there may be a job possibility. I didn't pretend to have more experience than I did, but stressed areas which would help me in this setting.

I agree, insane.

Right employers can be arrogant in their expectations for new grads. They are working with schools and pumping out new grads like crazy and have to justify that they are hiring. They don't care if you stay right now because they have an endless line of applicants. Look for a supportive environment where they really want and appreciate you, even if the pay is a little less than you were getting. You did get 3 mos of experience, so use it to your advantage. Get a job to insulate you from the bad experience. Check with your former HR Dept and ask them what information they divulge to employer requests. It may not be as bad as you think and they may not even want to divulge whether they would hire you back, that is prejudicial information anyway. Get a list of references, former employers, coworkers, instructors who can vouch for your work ethic. Not every job works out for numerous reasons. And don't worry about your age, in a lot of circumstances it is a benefit. Older workers are more mature, more settled, sleep less :), etc.

Got a call for an interview at a state hospital and so glad I started to compile and study all the responses here. I'm happy, excited and a little nervous about this new chapter opening up, and I'm going for it! Thank you to everyone who has shared here. This information is invaluable!

Just got a call for an interview at a state hospital.. wheh!! i'm so excited, nervous and a little afraid. So thankful for all the posts here and that I already started compiling them into a format for review. With all this input, I am confident that I will give a good interview.