Psychiatric Nursing & Safety - Am I too small?

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Hi there,

I am a prospective nursing student from Vancouver, Canada. I've always been drawn to psychiatric nursing, and am currently deciding between going for a specific psychiatric nursing program (RPN), or going the route of a general RN so that I can explore other avenues of nursing, while still being able to go into psych if I so decide. As excited as I feel about the prospect of becoming a nurse, I have one qualm - I am a 5'4", 23 year old woman and I barely weigh 100 lbs. I am a very small-boned, thin person and physically, I'm not all that strong. I'm aware that there is a risk of injury in any specialty of nursing, but I'm fearful that I wouldn't be able to defend myself, if need be, in a psychiatric unit and so I'd be an easy target. My friends and family have told me that they think I'd be a great psych nurse, but they've voiced concerns about my safety, especially in regards to my stature. My question is, can a petite woman be a successful psychiatric nurse? Or, physically, am I just not cut out for it?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

How scrappy are you? I think it is more about being comfortable with chaos and threatening behavior rather than physical size. I have worked with tiny females who were near fearless and could skillfully control a psychotic football player sized dude with her attitude and verbal redirection. I have also worked with big males who were scared of the patients and weren't any help at all in a code.

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Haha I'd like to think I'm pretty feisty! I am able to keep my cool in chaotic situations, so for that I think I might be okay. That's amazing, I'd love to think that I'd be able to do that someday! Thanks for your comment, you really made me feel better :)

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Specializes in PMHNP/Adjunct Faculty.

I am a petite psychiatric nurse and like to describe myself as pretty fearless :) I am in an environment with no glass around the nurses station and with a door to the nurses station that is unlocked and open. I have managed many codes and have not been injured so far in my career. It's all about knowing what their next move is before they know it, being aware of your positioning on the unit, and having good communication with your coworkers and patients. Don't let your size discourage you, if you get hired at a psychiatric facility they provide non violent crisis intervention techniques and you develop that "taking charge" attitude with experience.

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I'm timid (in my personal life) and weigh about 100lbs.

I love psych, and I feel more comfortable there than any other setting. With the support of my co workers I've taken down men 3x my size 😜

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Thanks so much for your comments, dallasmiss and pixiestudent2! It's great to hear that you can be little AND be a more than capable psychiatric nurse. You all have really eased my worries, thank you!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

The most formidable psych nurse I know is a Filipino female, 50-something, 4'10. Whenever we worked together, I'd feel like a giant because I had nearly a foot of height on her.

She worked on one of the high-acuity units and could get nearly any patient to comply with her. A lot of it was her attitude: she was confident, took charge of the situation, laid clear boundaries down and stuck to them, and didn't take any nonsense. If anything, she was a hint motherly towards them. And they responded well to her and knew that when she put her foot down, they'd better listen.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
The most formidable psych nurse I know is a Filipino female, 50-something, 4'10. Whenever we worked together, I'd feel like a giant because I had nearly a foot of height on her.

She worked on one of the high-acuity units and could get nearly any patient to comply with her. A lot of it was her attitude: she was confident, took charge of the situation, laid clear boundaries down and stuck to them, and didn't take any nonsense. If anything, she was a hint motherly towards them. And they responded well to her and knew that when she put her foot down, they'd better listen.

LOL if you changed the age to 30-something I would swear I have worked with this fire cracker too! :)

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Specializes in Psychiatric, LTC, Palliative Care.

Don't be deterred from psych nursing because of size. You only need to be quick to assess and respond so you can medicate or call codes when necessary. Some of the biggest, most agitated patients will at times only respond to women, often smaller women. A lady who can have that stern motherly voice is all some patients need. Small framed women bring a very important dynamic to psych nursing.

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Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Meriwhen and viperblue72. Communicating with all of you has really made me feel confident and excited about the prospect of entering the field.

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Specializes in SNF, LTAC.

I am 6ft2 285lbs, played football in college...my mother is 4'10 and 100lbs soaking wet....That woman scares the crap out of me! That tone of voice gets me every time....she lives by a saying...dynamite comes in small packages.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I am 6ft2 285lbs, played football in college...my mother is 4'10 and 100lbs soaking wet....That woman scares the crap out of me! That tone of voice gets me every time....she lives by a saying...dynamite comes in small packages.

Love this!!!

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