Krystal2008

I work for Sheppard Pratt in one of the residential treatment centers. So we have kids for 6-18 months. I don't know if that's too long for you? We are off of the main campus, so communication with policy changes can be so-so. I have no problems with Sheppard Pratt. Nurses have it pretty well, especially if you are so into psych. If you have any other questions you can message me.

I currently work at a residential treatment center. The nurses job at my facility is to go over to the units to interact and try to put out any fires. If there is a restraint, than the RN needs to assess them. There are tons if suicide assessments done, and contacting the doctors for special observation levels. We generally have 2-3 nurses, and someone is responsible for passing medications. Hope this helps!

Hi all, First thanks for taking the time to read this. I graduated in May of 2012, and got a job offer in October of 2012. The only problem is that it a psychiatric nurse position at a residential treatment center for adolescents. I am deadly afraid I am committing career suicide (it is probably an irrational thought) by being there because I don't want to be known as "a psych nurse." Don't get me wrong, I like my job, and I am happy I was able to find one.... But I miss the regular nursing. Does anyone have any insight? I started applying to jobs again and hope to find something because my biggest fear is losing my skills and not being able to be a nurse at a hospital which is my ultimate goal. I should also add that I am currently going towards my BSN, as of right now I have my Associates degree. Thank you in advance. :) Krystal PS- Nothing against Psych nurses, I just don't feel like its something I want to do permanently.

I should probably add that as of now I have my ASN, and I am currently working towards a BSN.

Hi all, First thanks for taking the time to read this. I graduated in May of 2012, and got a job offer in October of 2012. The only problem is that it a psychiatric nurse position at a residential treatment center for adolescents. I am deadly afraid I am committing career suicide (it is probably an irrational thought) by being there because I don't want to be known as "a psych nurse." Don't get me wrong, I like my job, and I am happy I was able to find one.... But I miss the regular nursing. Does anyone have any insight? I started applying to jobs again and hope to find something because my biggest fear is losing my skills and not being able to be a nurse at a hospital which is my ultimate goal. Thank you in advance. Krystal

I live in Maryland :)

Thank you everyone ! And I decided to start the beta blockers even though it hasn't been a problem before. Elkpark, yes I do agree it being contingent on the pre-employment physical but I never thought I wouldn't pass the physical since it was never a problem before. The good news is this past week I had a phone interview, and today I had another interview for a psych hospital. I am hoping to hear from the first one, but any will do :)

I am having a hard time dealing with landing a dream job, and then getting it taken away. I was just wondering what other people would have done in the situation? I had a job interview, it went perfect. I got the job offer and everything was fine until I had my physical. Everything went well, or so I thought. After I left they called me back. They brought in a NP to evaluate me. The main concern was my hands were shaking a little. The minute the NP said something about it, they got 10 times worse. There were two people bombarding me with questions. Asking if it was medications, or normal. I told them that I have a fine hand tremor, but the medication I was on was effecting it right now. I also told them that the concentration on my hands were making it worse. I had never had a problem in clinical because I adapted to it. All my clinical instructors knew. I even included my hand tremors in my interview with the nurse manager. The questioned my skills, and had me practice several things. First was to recap a needle- what we were always told never to do. That didn't go as well as hoped because I never do it. Then they asked me to draw up fluid from a bottle with the needle. I put the needle in and it bent. They said that was because of my hands shaking. With a new needle I did it fine. The other things went okay with how nervous they made me and all of their comments. The NP told me it wasn't a big deal, but I would get a call the next week. Well, the next week I got the call saying the rescinded the job offer. Being a new grad, and getting a job and then it being taken away for something that was never an issue is just upsetting. I am curious what other people's opinions were? My clinical instructor said I should have brought them my clinical documents and shown it wasn't a problem (didn't think of this till a month later.) Someone else said I should of told them it was discrimination. But, my approach was to try and let it go and keep applying to other jobs. I didn't feel that I wanted to work for a hospital that didn't want me. I am hoping after getting opinions and later on when I get my first job that I can officially let this go, but as of now it is still very upsetting. Thank you everyone :)

Hi Brittany, I work for a home health care agency and it has pros and cons. Good things- Normally only one client. Flexible scheduling, meeting different people, and depending on the client depends on the level of difficulty. I have had hospice clients to clients that just need someone to be with them. Negatives- Where I am you have to pay for the gas, and it adds a lot of miles to a car, depending on how far you will commute for one client. It can get boring at times. You will be in someones home, so you can see really negative living conditions. No one is right there if you need them. As for the pay, I know that I make 1 dollar less than the people in the hospital, but always only have one client. I also have short shifts, which I get paid more but I'm not sure if all companies do that. If you have any specific questions let me know :) Krystal