New RN starting in Geri-psych?

[NurseKey622]

Hi all!

I am currently working as an LPN at a LTC facility and I am in school for my RN. I love working with the elderly, but I have always had an interest in psych. I am currently taking my mental health class and doing my clinical rotations at a state psych hospital, and I love it. I've considered pursuing psych when I graduate, however my main concern is losing my nursing skills. So it occured to me that maybe I could combine the two and work in geri-psych. My question is how much do you actually use your nursing skills working in geripsych? Im really trying to avoid the medsurg units. Ive heard too many horror stories!

[NurseKey622]

Also what is the typical nurse to patient ratio in this field??

[Davey Do]

So it occured to me that maybe I could combine the two and work in geri-psych.

Very wise decision, NursesKey!

"loosing my nursing skills" is a common concern voiced. It's really not a matter of loosing them- it's a matter of not honing certain nursing skills.

Take for example Geri-Psych. You'll probably keep some basic skills like assessments, medications, accuchecks, wound care/dressings, Foleys, tube feedings, some IVs, etc., but you won't hone more specialized skills as in Med/Surg or more intense medical areas.

At the medical Center where I work, the current ratio of Nurse to Patient ratio in Geri Psych varies, on the high end, from 1:6 to 1:17. Staff to Patient ratio, on the high end is about 1:6.

Good luck to you, NurseKey! And welcome to Geri Psych!

[motor_mouth, MSN, RN]

Agree with Davey Do. I work in geri-psych, specifically with dementia patients. We don't do IV's where I work but everything else he listed we deal with rather frequently. Okay, not tube feeds since I've been there. Our normal ratio is 1:5 with the charge nurse being 1:4. Worst case scenario is 1:7.