Psych Internship

[1futurenurse12]

Hi all! I am currently a junior BSN nursing student on track to graduate may 2016. I recently accepted an internship position at the hospital affiliated with my school. I will be working alongside an RN, 3 12s per week. Any advice for working with this particular population. I loved my clinical rotation on this unit, but I know the student role is a bit different from that of an actual RN. Thanks in advance!

[oceanblue52]

I am still a student nurse, but have worked in Psych for about 4 years. So I can't really say how the student nurse position differs from an intern position. However, I would recommend that you brush up on communication skills, watching for signs of increasing agitation, know how to (attempt to) talk someone down before chemical and/or physical restraints are required...communication is so important in Psych nursing. Boundary setting is key with some patients, if you are uncomfortable with this maybe try role playing with a friend.

Finally, psych meds carry all sorts of serious side effects like extra pyramidal symptoms, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, serotonin syndrome...it will be good to know these signs in the event that a serious event does happen. Can you think of how you would talk with a patient if they are reluctant to take their medication? Will you be working on a chemical dependency floor? It helps to become familiar with the CIWA assessment tool and how to care for a seizure patient.

I really enjoy Psych nursing; I hope you have a good experience!