Psych nursing question

[oldfaithful]

I'm an RN thinking of applying at an in-patient mental health facility. I'm not really sure what to expect though. Can anyone tell me something about what the position would probably be like? thanks.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Hi. We have a Pysch. Nursing forum here where your question might be better served. I'll move your question there.

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

Suggest you glance through some of the previously posted threads to get a feel for psych nursing.

[Jules A, MSN]

hi and welcome,

i really enjoy psych nursing. i'm sure different facilities have different duties for their rns but here is my experience. possibly the best part of psych nursing is actually having time to know the whole client in a holistic way. reading a patient's chart to see where they have come from, and sadly most times it isn't pretty, is really valuable in mapping where they are going. i often have the time to sit down and engage in therapeutic communication with them or sometimes just play a game and share some laughter. our successes are measured in different terms than other units but they are still there and still very valuable, imo. i feel like i have a real connection to many of my patients and that is an incredible feeling.

why don't you do a couple of share days to see if you think it would be your cup of tea.

jules

p.s. it also doesn't hurt my feelings that almost all my clients are continent and i'm usually pretty far removed from bodily fluids unless you count the occasional spit that flies my way, lol.