Hi there, I am so excited and also anxious that I wanted to share. I love reading these threads everyday. I am a new grad RN, graduated in December, have been working in med/surge for almost 6 months. It was my original intention to get one year med/surge because a lot of people that I respected suggested that. I was originally going to school for substance abuse counseling but switched to nursing for many reasons so I knew that my passion was addictions from the start. I just can't "tough in out" in med/surge for one year. My unit gets a lot of psych as well/medical detoxes, etc. I am so anxious even though I feel and am being told that I'm doing a good job. Sometimes I feel I'm just pushing meds the entire shift. It's like running a race for the entire 8+ hours. Last night I was there 2 hours past documenting and can't get paid for it. People offer to help, but sometimes they are so busy with their own load that the help is not available. Anway, I have an interview on Tuesday. The hospital is at least 30 minutes from my house. I am excited just to have gotten an interview. I am praying that I will find something I love and an excited about starting a new career in psych. I love to learn and read. The things that excite me most involve addictions/recovery, prevention, etc. not dressing changes, rectal tubes (last night!!!), etc. I love comforting my patients and wish I could spend more time with them. My anxiety has gotten so out of hand that it's having an effect on my home life. I start to dread going to work the day before I have to... Sorry this is so long.
Hello all! I am new to the forums and am also a new grad RN. Originally a psych major, I changed to nursing for several reasons. I, like most of you have said, knew from the start that I did not want to do Med/Surg, and really didn't particularly LOVE any other rotation but psych! I have also had many instructors and other nurses tell me to start in med/surg to keep up my skills. I just don't think I can do it! I COULD and will have to for money reasons though, if I can't find anything else :)
I worked on a psych unit in between semesters at school (externship) and LOVED IT! I just passed boards last week and am looking for a psych job. I am just having a tough time finding one! We have several great psych facilities here, but most of them RARELY have openings. The nurses there have been there for YEARS and the turn-over is not very often! So, bad for me, there are rarely any openings. I too have put in a couple applications at different units and hope to get a call soon!! CONGRATS TO ALL NEW GRADS!
Hi there, I start my new job on a locked dual diagnosis floor on Monday. I will have two weeks of classroom and then orientation on the floor. I am very excited but also nervous about starting over again, meeting new people, etc. I am mostly excited though about starting in the field that I am so passionate about -- addictions. I absolutely love my part-time job that I work at an outpatient clinic too. I love getting to support people in their recovery. I am also starting the UMASS online BSN program this week and hope I didn't take on too much at once, but I believe if I got through nursing school, I can get through anything...
Congrats to you! It is always a little uncomfortable to start something new and meet new people, but I'm sure you will do fine! Just remember everyone that you will be working with already has a lot in common with you in that they all share the same passion for psych/addictions. Most all psych nurses have similar personalities anyway :)
Unfortunately, I heard back from 2 psych facilities and they both still have no openings for RNs right now. I decided to apply for a nursing position at the state prison and federal prison near my hometown. Strange maybe, but I thought that may be the closest thing I can get to a psych position right now. I went for interview #1 and actually really thought I may like it. Now for interview #2 next wk before making my decision. I am also excited but nervous in general about starting my nursing career. As you know, it's a big change to go from having an instructor over your head to being ON YOUR OWN! The pay and benefits will be pretty good though at the prison, so we'll see! Best of wishes to you!
Hi there, I start my new job on a locked dual diagnosis floor on Monday. I will have two weeks of classroom and then orientation on the floor. I am very excited but also nervous about starting over again, meeting new people, etc. I am mostly excited though about starting in the field that I am so passionate about -- addictions. I absolutely love my part-time job that I work at an outpatient clinic too. I love getting to support people in their recovery. I am also starting the UMASS online BSN program this week and hope I didn't take on too much at once, but I believe if I got through nursing school, I can get through anything...
That sounds like a good orientation. Good luck. I'm pretty stressed on med/surg unit and I'm currently researching for other options for ADN nurses. Great that you're going back to school too.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
That sounds like a good orientation. Good luck. I'm pretty stressed on med/surg unit and I'm currently researching for other options for ADN nurses. Great that you're going back to school too.
What a great orientation you will have !!!!
I started right on the floor (on the job training)...had some good nurses but some told me absolutely nothing !!! I watched, learned and asked a lot of questions...???? After a few months I started to feel like I knew what I was doing...
Good Luck, You will love it !!! Fast paced and lots of drama !!!!
Congratulations!!! I also would like to work part-time at an outpatient detox clinic. If there are any openings at your facility could you email me. I am also in school now...same as you...umass rn-bsn online. Tons of assignments and paper...but I guess it is doable as long as you stay on top of things......:typing
Hello, I am first year student and I need to interview a nurse who have been in the profession for about 3 years or more. (more years the better) I love to get insight from any nurse who love to share. I would like for a mental health nurse to respond but if not any nurse can respond to the interview. Please answer the questions below
thank-you
RJ:nurse:
1. What is your clinical area of practice?
2. What is your personal philosophy of nursing?
3. How do you use information learned in nursing school to take care of patients such as assessment, planning, interventions and evaluation of care delivered ( nursing process), time management and learning skills, etc?
4. How do you collaborate and communicate with other health professionals?
5. How do you deal with the frustrations and stressors on the job?
6. Do you mentor other aspiring professionals? If so how? If not why?
7. How do you recognize your limits and ask for help as needed?
8. How do you demonstrate healthy coping behaviors?
9. How do you participate in lifelong learning ( ie attend seminars, continuing education programs, membership in professional orgainizations, educational programs, subscribe to journals, use websites for nursing practice)
10. What do you see as the biggest challenge in the nursing profession currently faces. What can nurse do to address this issue?
JessicaRN2008
9 Posts
Hello all! I am new to the forums and am also a new grad RN. Originally a psych major, I changed to nursing for several reasons. I, like most of you have said, knew from the start that I did not want to do Med/Surg, and really didn't particularly LOVE any other rotation but psych! I have also had many instructors and other nurses tell me to start in med/surg to keep up my skills. I just don't think I can do it! I COULD and will have to for money reasons though, if I can't find anything else :)
I worked on a psych unit in between semesters at school (externship) and LOVED IT! I just passed boards last week and am looking for a psych job. I am just having a tough time finding one! We have several great psych facilities here, but most of them RARELY have openings. The nurses there have been there for YEARS and the turn-over is not very often! So, bad for me, there are rarely any openings. I too have put in a couple applications at different units and hope to get a call soon!! CONGRATS TO ALL NEW GRADS!