Lovelite66

I went into psychiatric nursing straight out of college. It has been 38 years of sadness, joy, emotional roller coasters, satisfaction, dissatisfaction, and, the very worst, death, by suicide. I think, sometimes, we know who we are enough to know, what to choose in a career. How you are describing patients and families, lets me know that, the only kind of nursing that you might be meant to do, would be OR....no talking, no patient issues, just task oriented, important work. I would look into that. Allot of people don't want to admit, they chose nursing, because it is a decent living and didn't think much about the work it takes to be a NURSE...A CAREGIVER....and so, we find out, too late, that knowing you can always get a job, isn't what is important...it is...are you and nursing a good fit. I don't think you should be dealing with people on this level...case management is going to get to you as well...dealing with insurance companies, medicare, medicaid... Social Workers...you are going to get frustrated and unhappy....but something like the OR....GREAT for someone who cannot tolerate the close contact with folks who are upset, hurting, needing to blame, not taking care of themselves and are messes because of it....just my thoughts from what you wrote. But, you cannot rise in the ranks as a nurse, unless you can tolerate the bad times with patients and families...and be a mentor to others....so, even teaching, ,would not be a fit for you....you may have chosen the wrong path...but maybe Case Management will work out for you....I hope it does...if not, consider the OR...get that extra training....and go for it.,,,and if not....maybe this is not the right work for you...time will tell.

You will be amazed at what will happen after you graduate. It is important to have a good idea of what type of nursing interests you. Sometimes, when applying for "any job" you might not show the enthusiasm you might for a job in which you are really interested. Take some time and make sure you are not looking disinterested or not present. I knew I wanted psychiatry from the start. It was my first love and my first job, almost 40 years ago..still doing it...different places but always mental health. Slow things down, in your mind, and see what comes up for you, and apply for the jobs that feel right for your temperment, your passion ( if you have one ) and that has held your interest in school. There will be some entry level jobs...don't expect to change anything at the beginning...take it in...listen, learn, ask questions..even in interviews...ask lots of questions...you will find the job to start with....and you will go from there...but there is no magic....it comes with time in the passenger seat..and sometimes years before you get into the driver's seat..but it can really be worth it..you have to try to be adult about this kind of work..one way to do that, is to be student of the art of nursing...as you start your search for work...read up on types jobs and opportunities and what the work itself is...don't just look at listings...find out about the details of a job..like neonatal or ER..what does it entail to do that work...this gives you a better idea of what is hidden in your mind as to passion or real interest.something that doesn't come while in school....don't be so quick to judge that it is over before it even began. Good Luck.

I have been a Psych nurse since 1979, from my first job until the present. Even nurse's in hospitals, do not know that job of psychiatric nursing. They wonder how we do what we do, feel they can't do it, and are so grateful we are around. Some think all we do is talk to patients to calm them down. But the world of psych nursing is so much more than any book or any one psychiatric unit can tell a new nurse. I wonder, if any new graduate has thought about this for his/her career choice and had no one to speak to about what it is like to be a psychiatric nurse, the different venues open to us, and what to expect? Get back to me with quesitons if interested. Thanks, Lovelite66