Leahr

Lucianne- Im considering getting my NP in psych as well. I have worked on a acute adult unit for 10 months and completely agree that you need that time on a floor to get a handle on what psych patients are. How long though? I dont know how much longer I have but I know I have to pay my dues.....

I live in Chicago and work at a non-profit, faith-based hospital. I make 2-3 dollars less an hour than the stated average per hour Staff RN pay in a recent poll i saw. The price we pay for choosing this specialty....

sounds like you are unhappy with the profession.

I might be switching jobs at the hospital I am working at. Does anyone have any pointers, suggestions or opinions about the job of psychiatric intake coordinator?

works decent for some. bad side effects sometimes.

I have done this and called the doc after.....

In the sky--sounds like you handled it well.

Lifecycle-Your reply is not helpful.

The patient has a history of violence and threatened to "kick our asses" if she sees me or some other staff members. She shoved another patient and punched a hole in the wall. We have been setting solid boundaries and staff has been staying on the same page as far as her treatment plan. Prn's have helped, too.

What is a therapeutic response, in a acute setting, to a violent, attention seeking borderline?

Unfortunately, thats the chance you take when you work PRN or registry. It has its definate advantages, but this is one of the disadvantages. With your years of experience, you can go anywhere.

She sounds like a insensitive B***h, Not a suprise as most RNs who go into administrative roles are. They love the power.

We have the same populations described by BunnyRN with a lot of the same issues. To all that have posted to this thread, are your units divided? We have one 12 bed unit for DD, one 12 bed for geropsych, another unit with 12 beds for habitual non-compliants and another 24 bed for general adult (this is where I work). This eases some of the tensions, but the same issues persist as BunnyRN described.

I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and on effexor 75mg BID. I have never been hospitalized, though I think I could of benefitted from it a couple times. I think I can empathize well with patients and place my self in their shoes a little easier than nurses who do not have psych issues. In fact, I think this why I was drawn to psych as a specialty.

we have a secruity team at our hospital that assists the RN's. They are really fast and know how to assist very well.

The fact that she is a new grad, first job, etc. That would be the the optimum situation. My facility gives new grad RN/LPN's six weeks. Its only fair. If she had worked in a facility or hospital for a few months before staring this job, I dont think she would feel so slighted about the 2 weeks. But straight out of school, 2 week orientation is not enough.

You should have at least a 6 week orientation as a new grad, Period.

My new position at a LTC/Rehab. Competitive wage, 6 weeks PTO, free Blue Cross, Union for RN/Lpns. Hope its not to good to be true. Will keep you posted.

Im keeping up with the business and multi-tasking of a tele floor, but I know that I want to work with psych/substance abuse/dual-diagnosis patients. I'm sticking in there for a year and I will attempt to transfer within my employers system to a psych floor. Any further words of advice?

I think you are right! They are not snotty to me, just used to speaking their own language and having a certain pecking order.

my unit is cliquey!!! They all speak the same language so I cant understand; more like so most people don't understand. I really don't care for the most part, just an observation of my unit's culture. Any similar stories?

Our lab calls all critical labs to the RN.

Why did you leave the community hospital? Your preceptor sounds crabby/jealous. Let me tell you... You have to stand your ground and speak up for yourself. You are a proffesional and you should demand respect. Conduct yourself with confidence.

I pray and wish that as a new nurse I can give my patients the best care, not have any major mistakes that put their lives in danger and learn the most I can learn on the tele floor.

I work in tele in Chicago, IL. It is a very busy place on days and afternoons. Nights are busy sometimes, but most of the patients are sleeping. Admissions are the thing you are busiest with. I just started 2 months ago, I like it and will stay for at least a year.