Psych Unit Interview

I would strongly suggest reading through other topics in this forum about psychiatric nursing. Also, remember that you are interviewing THEM, they are not just interviewing YOU. Is this a team that you can see yourself working with? Psychiatric nursing, in my experience, depends a LOT on teamwork. My coworkers and I approach patient care as a team - there is no "my patient" or "your patient." Often we find that we work through situations without even having to communicate with one another, we rarely have to discuss dividing tasks or who is going to do what, which I find fascinating. When I asked my coworkers about my observations I was told that this is often the case in psychiatric nursing. I wouldn't know any different since this is the only unit I have ever worked on, and honestly, it makes me never want to leave!

Oh, and also review laws in your state regarding holds.

Thank you!!! I've been ready and reviewing as much as I can. I just to have brush up more on definitions/codes/laws, etc. I hope that my experience in LTC helps.

Thankfully they aren't going to expect you to know the laws or regulations during the interview. Sure, it's great to know, it will give you an edge up on the next person because it shows initiative, and can show you are really interested. My first nursing job was in psych, spent 2 years there and now I'm going back because I miss it so much. I start in 2 weeks. They ask the normal things like, Tell me what you do to de-stress after a shift, or what you did when you disagreed with something someone else did. Can you handle having to give someone medication they don't want, injections to calm someone down, can you deal with people hallucinating, being suicidal. Most of the job is about communication. There are certain things you don't want to say to psych patients, teamwork is a must. They want to make sure you're a team player. It's a great nursing specialty, it's not easy. We aren't med pushers like some people think. Good luck.

know restraint policies, and involuntary med policies, oft the state, criteria and when to use. what interventions should be tried. Under what circumstances/ Know how to redirect, reality orient, how to deal with hallucinating and aggressive patients, how to de escalate.

Thanks all. I think I did well. I was asked general nursing questions. Hopefully I'll get the job.