Psych nurse wanting to go back to med surg

[nb1104_, ADN]

Hello everyone,

I would like to get an input from others. I have been a nurse for only one year. My first job lasted for 5 months because the distance from home was a killer, and I didn't like being away from my family (my parents are getting older). So after 5 months, I moved to psych nursing (very close to home). I was really passionate about psych nursing even in nursing school. I was always with all the mental health problems, however, I recently found myself being too comfortable. I haven't listened to lung sounds in 6 months and haven't put an IV in for 6 months as well. I loved and was always excited doing these skills when I was in my med-surg preceptorship and from my previous job. These are just some of the things I am craving for, as a new nurse. I am scared though, that I may have forgotten some things from nursing school (although in the back of my head, I know not every situation is based on book, it can be added with more problems). But I am willing to learn even if it's not going to be easy. Any advice? I might just be overthinking... The place where I work at now has always been my "end goal" (the place where I would do my last 10 years of being RN before retiring), and I think I reached it too early. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

[Sour Lemon]

You could look for a med/surg/psych unit and do both. Or get a job in an acute care setting that has both types of units and volunteer to float back and forth.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, nb1104_ said:

The place where I work at now has always been my "end goal" (the place where I would do my last 10 years of being RN before retiring), and I think I reached it too early. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

I feel you!! As a school nurse (RJ Junior's now in college) I fell in love with the job for the family-friendly hours but don't really need them anymore.

Do you have a free clinic where you could volunteer? That way you'd at least get assessment skills.

It would be best to stay where you are for a year. But after the year - ER folks like people who have psych training. You can also get certifications (ACLS, what have you) - whenever we get back to classes - to brush up your skills and make you marketable.