Psych nursing? scope of practice

[Infofreak411]

What is the scope of practice in terms of Psychiatric nurses?

What is required to become a psych nurse (ie. training, certifications, etc.)?

Do psych nurses just primarily get involved with the medical aspects of psychiatric patients such as checking vitals passing meds and assessing other health matters that may arise or do they actually get involved with the psycho-social aspects as well.

Is all of the counseling left to clinical social workers?

I like medical and mental health so it would be great if I could combined them both!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

In the US I would expect the scope of practice to be like any other RN in that state. You will assess, monitor, report changes in condition and administer meds. I doubt you will do any counseling but may get special training in how to handle difficult patients or what situations demand the MD's attention.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I am not a psych nurse.....we have many here who will come along and help you.

Thread moved to psych nursing for best response.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

We do the assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation stuff just like all nurses. We give meds for all conditions the patient has, change dressings, do IVs if the facility allows throwable equipment, do feedings, baths, and I've done peritoneal dialysis. We monitor for safety and intervene in anyway necessarily and permissible by the state and the facility. We do educational groups as well as ones related to psychiatry, like AA, assertiveness, codependency, self-esteem, just-for-fun groups. We spend time with patients getting to the reason they're hospitalized, in hopes to help them get better and not need to come back. My favorite part was time talking with patients about themselves. It's "therapeutic use of self." We also do mountains of paperwork (or computer charting), spend lots of time on the phone with doctors and families, and sometimes get very mentally tired. Sometimes we don't get a bathroom or lunch break all day.

[Actias luna]

Bookmarked. I am interested in becoming a psych nurse as well.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Like Whispera said, my scope of practice as a new grad psych LVN is similar. However, the facility I work in is a non medical psych facility that had a PHF as well as longer term care side.

As such, based on Whisperas posted duties/scope, mine is limited D/T my facility's non medical licensure. So, no IV's, no Dialysis, etc. But yes to everything else.

[5ummer]

I think this thread has good information. I'm also interested in going into psych nursing. I didn't know that an Lvn can be qualified as a psych nurse. Also, can cnas get a job in the psych field? To get a good grasp on experience and insider point of view.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I've worked with many LVNs who were psych nurses. Also, CNAs can work in the psych field, although they're a different kind of CNA. We always had behavioral health techs. They had some psych training, but some started out as CNAs.

[Umberlee]

Different places have different names/titles for direct care staff in psych settings. We used to require our mental health workers be CNAs, but now the job qualifications emphasize more training or experience in behavioral health. Most of our mental health workers are students who want to do something in the field of mental health...undergrad psychology students and the like.

[5ummer]

Oh wow, I guess you do learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info.

[Actias luna]

I am currently a CNA. Does anyone know what I would have to do in order to work in psych? Do I need additional qualifications?

I, too, was unaware that LPNs could be psych nurses. I'm happy to hear this, because LPN is my next step.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

My LVN position job description is the same as the job description for the RNs in my facility.

Perhaps in some facilities there are different duties. But in our facility this is what I do.