is psych "alot" less physically demanding than med/surg?

MissMelMcRN · Jan 9, 2008

So did everyone get study guides for adv med/surg and psych rotations? Im getting ready to start my last semester in these areas! I'm really weary about this!

THANKS,

Melissa:uhoh21:

Mister Chris, MSN, NP · Jan 10, 2008

Hello dijmart, my heart goes out to you - the answer is yes and no!

I have to tell you a little story for you to understand my loose remarks. I started Psychiatric nursing many years ago and one of our class had MS. (She never let on until about one year had passed.) She was a fighter and a very good nurse but she needed some support as the months went on. She found it difficult to finish her shift - by the time she was about six months from her finals. One other on the course (John) and myself helped her by standing in for the last few hours of some of her shifts when she found it too difficult. We all lived in the hospital (1970's) at that time so we were able to communicate and cover each other. The senior staff were concerned but allowed us to do this. I will call her Ann - she had been diagnosed with MS about six months before she started on the psychiatric nursing course (three years hospital based). Her husband a professional football player and rigid sportsman divorced her when he found out she had MS!!:angryfire Anyway Ann finished the course successfully, graduated and went on to become a fantastic nurse for about six months. Then after attending university in the following years because of her inability to continue active nursing - qualified as a social worker. She worked for many years and was a very respected and vital member of the care team in the district. Her pluck and tenacity was always fronted with no excuses and a big smile even though she had to work in later times from a wheel chair. I learnt a lot from Ann. I congratulate you for persuing the most incredible calling in life - to help others.

Ann now is fully retired and cared for well, she deserves it.

My heart goes out to anyone who has such a goal in life - as you obviously have.

God bless you.

Hugs, smiles and kisses from Mister Chris. :specs:

New2ER · Jan 13, 2008

I've been a psychiatric RN for 1.5 years (been practicing for 2 years next month). I started working on an adult chronic unit and now work exclusively in the psychiatric ER. I also have MS that was diagnosed 6 months ago.

Most nights, I'm bouncing over to the medical ER 'cause I don't have enough to do (but that might just be here). I refuse to work our inpatient units because they are chronically understaffed at night (only 2 RNs and 1 tech for 15+ pts) and I don't feel safe, but in a properly staffed unit I wouldn't mind it at all. Psych definitely takes the stress off and, for me, I no longer have the symptoms that tended to flair when I work straight ER or ICU because I don't have the high stress level. There is also a lot more downtime if you are able to manage your time well.

allnurses Guide · Jan 16, 2008

I worked for a year in a state, adult psychiatric facility. There were no children and there was no REAL "gero psych" unit. There was a unit that was reserved for older patients and patients who were supposed to be more "medically fragile", but those patients still were all ambulatory. We had the *occasional* two or three patients who were incontinent and in depends, but they were ASSISTED in changing themselves, meaning that they could get up and change themselves, perhaps with a little assistance.

And, this hospital generally did NOT accept elderly patients with alzheimers dementia, although there was the OCCASIONAL patient with this diagnosis.

All in all, my job was NOT physically demanding except for the occasional take-down, and usually there was plenty of help. All in all, it was a good job but I had to quit for reasons outside of the job itself.

If you could find a place similar to this, it would be ideal for you I think. Good luck!