Psych Rotation Changed My Mind!

[olliesmommy1005]

I was DREADING going into this psych rotation (which only includes 2 days....but still). I'm by no means a lover of psych in class, never have been. I'm a "suck it up" kinda girl!

Anyway, I have to say, after being nervous, scared, and not looking forward to this rotation at all, I have to say my 2 days of clinical rotation in an inpatient locked psych facility has got me doing a 180! I thouroughly enjoyed the staff, the patients, and the feel of being a psych nurse! I know, 2 days probably hasn't gotten me enough of a taste of what it is like to work there 40 hours a week, but it has peaked my interest!

I still have until May before I graduate, but I have to say I have now put psych as one of my options to look into after nursing school!

[Dan.Ed]

Good for you, Olliesmommie! You've already passed one of the first tests to be a psych nurse; keeping an open and flexible mind. Sounds like you were on a nice unit also. I've seen wonderfully attractive units with inattentive and uninvolved staff. And I've seen units in need of renovation with kind, helping, and theory based staff who created an atmosphere of encouragement , growth, and self help that is positive for patients and staff. Sounds like you visited a good unit. Be well.....

[Davey Do]

I'd be interested to know the specifics of your perception before experiencing a Psych unit and how those specific views were dispelled, olliesmommy.

Thanks.

Dave

[olliesmommy1005]

I'd be interested to know the specifics of your perception before experiencing a Psych unit and how those specific views were dispelled, olliesmommy.

Thanks.

Dave

Dave-

The main reason I think I've had this outlook is from my former profession. I was a police officer for 6 years prior to nursing school and I've always though that the people I dealt with blamed all of their problems on a terrible upbringing. I used to always think that people need to be responsible for their own lives and stop using their past as a fall back.

I had my eyes opened that most people, crappy past or not, need help sometimes to get through the tough times in life. I'm so glad I had this experience because I may have gone on with my "suck it up" thoughts forever!

[Guest717236]

I hope psych service is where your interest settles. We would have

loved to have a nurse who was a prior police officer on our

emergency service team years ago.

We spent most of our days at the police station, or on site at the patients

house. It would have been great to have input from someone who

has this nurse/police officer background.

Glad you are considering psych and its on your list of options...

Best wishes with whatever specialty you select!

[Davey Do]

I had my eyes opened that most people, crappy past or not, need help sometimes to get through the tough times in life.

A profound statement indeed, olliesmommy. And, my sentiments exactly. I enjoy working with my psychotically recidivistic Patients, but every now and then a Patient comes along that is in crisis, needs help, and is willing to do what it takes to get the job done. For those Patients, I will go the extra mile.

Thanks for the reply, olliesmommy.

dave

[morecoffeepls, BSN, RN]

Funny - although I wasn't dreading my psych rotations, they were responsible for my change of plans and outlook. Pretty much the only reason I went to nursing school was to become a nurse anesthetist. Ages before I became a nurse, I was educated and worked in Human Services/Mental Health. I really enjoyed working with the population, but I couldn't get ahead financially, so I moved on and had a career change or two before responding to the call. As soon as I started my first psych rotation, I realized nursing would be an opportunity to make a good living caring for clients with whom I had an affinity and a familiarity. I feel like I came full circle and have found my calling, despite my initial intentions. I also had a great clinical intructor at a great inpatient site (which is where I have worked since graduating and buying out a tuition contract in order to have the privelege). I see her sometimes when she brings students here for their psych rotation. When she asks me to tell them about my school and professional experience, I tell them simply to do what you have evidently found out: just be open to the experience. Good for you. I wish you success wherever you end up.