Switch to Mental health nursing

Specialties Psychiatric

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Hi all,

I have been an RN 25 years, mostly in some form of critical care / ER or transport. I am now thinking of going back to school to do FNP or perhaps become a Psyche NP. To that end, I think I would need psyche experience to now if this is really a field I would want to work in. For certain I am done with the type of nursing Ive been doing and need a change to something completely different. I am UK trained so did a 3 month rotation in a psyhc unit that I enjoyed. My father was a Psych SW for 30 years and as a young child I often visit him at his hospital. Thats the extent of my experience - having literally met some killers and very bizarre pts of my Dad, and my student rotation.

How do you know if psyche nursing is for you, and how did you get that 1st job with no experience? Thanks

Felix

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I had a classmate who had worked at the hospital as a psych tech during nursing school, and when she got hired on as a RN she referred me. That got me the interview at least. I think my willingness to learn--plus the fact that I knew what Cogentin was when given an on-the-spot quiz by the interviewer--helped me get the job as a new grad. I hadn't planned to go into psych: I turned down the PCU and went with psych because it was 8 hour shifts as compared to 12s, and I had a 4 year old at the time. I ended up falling in love with the specialty. Others left because after a year (or sooner), they found psych wasn't for them.

The only way you're really going to know if psych is for you, is if you actually work in psych.

You have ED experience. Lots of ED patients come in because of psych issues. So while you may not have psych nursing experience, you do have some experience with dealing with patients in psychiatric crisis. I would definitely play that up during interviews to land a psych job.

Best of luck!

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Maybe get a per diem job. Your critical care experience would be an asset and as per diem or agency they often have you be the med nurse. And yes stress your psych experience in these non psych settings at interviews. Best wishes!

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So how likely am I to get hired for a per diem role? Most other per diems in nursing need experience before getting hired, is this not the case in mental health? To me that would be ideal way to suss out if its really where I'd like to be but I didnt think I would have a chance?

Felix

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I would think that you should be hired for a per diem position given your experience. It may depend on where you live. I live in a busy eastern shore city, and mental health nurses seem to always be in demand. You could always ask to shadow someone for a day or more, or volunteer at a clinic or other places. Making connections is the name of the game here.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Network, submit resumes, be willing to work weekends and off shifts. There is usually a weekend holiday commitment expected. You know how to transcribe orders, administer meds, manage medical emergencies and all the other nursing tasks. Read up on psych nursing, meds, side effects, behavioral emergencies. And you have worked with psych patients. Prepare for interview. I think you would be a good candidate.

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Thanks for all the encouragement.........I do in fact have an interview next week for a unit behaviorally challenged children and teens, for a per diem position.

Felix

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So I was offered the per diem position, and there's a fair chance I will be offered the position FT. Either way, this is a HUGE change for me. How can I prepare myself for this new role? Are there any books you'd recommend either for some background knowledge, or clinical stuff? Im excited about it, but very daunted as I know this will be very out of my realm of experience or knowledge. I loved the boss and the staff seemed pretty cool, but being in a locked unit with "Severely traumatized" kids aged 5 -18 will be challenging to say the least! Needless to say I'm pretty nervous! Thanks for any insight.

Felix

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

If you don't like child psychiatry try adult. Very different. I would approach it like any job. Learn your role, be on time, be

helpful. They will teach you about behavioral emergencies and other things. Find people you trust to ask questions and get feedback and learn.

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I am in outpatient psychiatry area, after 5 years in Acute Dialysis and 1 year "preseptored med /surg RN".I could not find myself inpatient.

Not for me any hospital settings, may be because I am old.

So I tried psychiatry( case management)For me all psychiatric patients same as all other patients,may be they are more "complex" and sicker.

I am happy, that I am "handy" and med/ surg experienced, since it is very important in outpatient settings.

I think nurses, RN, NP, PA and other mid level professionals in psych area , we evaluate the most difficult cases, and the life is different in private practice.

From my clinical experience mid level professionals treat most difficult cases, have less time to treat ( 25-30 patients in 10 hr) and without med surg knowledge it is not easy. Go for it and try!!!

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