Pysch Nursing clinical

FutureOBNurse2118 · Aug 11, 2011

I took psych last semester, and lets just say I have no desire to work in that area after my experience. The theory part of the class is pretty interesting I admit, but the clincals, at least mine, were a joke. Theres far less things to do in a psych clinical versus medsurg. In medsurg you would be doing things such as giving meds, starting IVs, inserting NGs and foleys, etc... Youre more involved in the care of the patient. Whereas in psych, not so much. As students in my program, we couldn't even give meds to psych patients, understandably. Basically, all it consisted of, is having a 4 hour conversation with your assigned patient each clinical day... biggest waste of time.

ErinRN2B · Aug 11, 2011

I'm actually really excited about my psych clinical (start in a week) because psych is an area of nursing that has always really, really interested me. I'm still kind of in the dark about what we'll be doing in our clinical, but I'm looking forward to finding out. I've heard good things about the class from students that have already taken it.

kimberlyblack · Aug 12, 2011

I too, am excited about Psych Nursing. I am also taking it this fall. The area of psych has always been a huge interest to me. I hope it's more exciting than the first person to post experience was.... =)

ErinRN2B · Aug 12, 2011

Psych just isn't for everyone. I think I am one of maybe two people in my class who has expressed any interest in working in psych. Everyone likes and dislikes certain specialties of nursing... I'd say probably 30-40% of my class want to be mother-baby or NICU nurses, but I absolutely loathed days on the OB floor.

elkpark · Aug 12, 2011

Basically, all it consisted of, is having a 4 hour conversation with your assigned patient each clinical day... biggest waste of time.

I've taught psych nursing in ADN and BSN programs (been in psych nursing for nearly 30 years), and I've found over the years that students get out of psych clinical about what they put into it and what they expect to get out of it. If a student views the clinical as "having a 4 hour conversation" each clinical day, then, yeah, that's going to seem like a waste of time. If you look at it as an opportunity to learn about psychiatric illnesses and interventions, psychiatric medications (effects, side effects, risks) -- even though you're not actually giving the medications yourself (what, you don't get enough experience handing out pills in your other clinicals? :)) -- which you will need to know anywhere you go in your future nursing career (because you will be dealing with clients who are on those medications anywhere you go in nursing), and honing the assessment and therapeutic communication skills that you will be using anywhere you go in nursing throughout your career, it can be a v. productive and valuable experience.

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2011

I took psych last semester, and lets just say I have no desire to work in that area after my experience. The theory part of the class is pretty interesting I admit, but the clincals, at least mine, were a joke. Theres far less things to do in a psych clinical versus medsurg. In medsurg you would be doing things such as giving meds, starting IVs, inserting NGs and foleys, etc... Youre more involved in the care of the patient. Whereas in psych, not so much. As students in my program, we couldn't even give meds to psych patients, understandably. Basically, all it consisted of, is having a 4 hour conversation with your assigned patient each clinical day... biggest waste of time.

Sounds like my Psych clinicals..... not to mention..how awkward was it to sit and talk to these suicidal patients, trying to collect info for your careplans and what not and trying not to hit any sensitive subjects that would make em go apes**t...lol.

i did however enjoy the part of my rotation when we were at a detox center, it was more hands on and fast paced, and we were able to apply the concepts we learned in psych class and then talk to them about it... WAYYYYYYYY better.

but yeah, generally, unless psych is your love it wont be too interesting , but thats just me....

ErinRN2B · Aug 12, 2011

I've taught psych nursing in ADN and BSN programs (been in psych nursing for nearly 30 years), and I've found over the years that students get out of psych clinical about what they put into it and what they expect to get out of it. If a student views the clinical as "having a 4 hour conversation" each clinical day, then, yeah, that's going to seem like a waste of time. If you look at it as an opportunity to learn about psychiatric illnesses and interventions, psychiatric medications (effects, side effects, risks) -- even though you're not actually giving the medications yourself (what, you don't get enough experience handing out pills in your other clinicals? :)) -- which you will need to know anywhere you go in your future nursing career (because you will be dealing with clients who are on those medications anywhere you go in nursing), and honing the assessment and therapeutic communication skills that you will be using anywhere you go in nursing throughout your career, it can be a v. productive and valuable experience.

Seriously - become familiar with psych meds now, because you'll see them anywhere you go in your nursing career - a lot. Half the meds I passed last semester during my Med/Surg clinical at a hospital were "psych meds." Half the pts. were on SSRIs and they all had PRN Xanax or Ativan...

dee78 · Aug 12, 2011

I am super excited about psych (starts in 2 weeks)!! I loved the one day I spent at the state facility in LPN school. We didn't spend much time with the patients but it was a great experience. I know we will get more one on one experience but psych fascinates me.

I had a job interview today and she asked me what my favorite rotation has been and I told her psych. It was the truth but I also realize that psych does cross over into every shift. Even if the patient doesn't have a psychological disorder, they still have psycho-social issues that they face while in the hospital. My first client this summer in clinical was VERY confused, I loved working with her and I actually was able to communicate with her by the end of the morning. My last client was a methadone clinic patient. BOTH of these patients were on the ORTHO floor, 2 of 3. So I agree with the other poster that says what we learn in psych will carry on throughout school AND our careers.

FutureOBNurse2118 · Aug 12, 2011

I've taught psych nursing in ADN and BSN programs (been in psych nursing for nearly 30 years), and I've found over the years that students get out of psych clinical about what they put into it and what they expect to get out of it. If a student views the clinical as "having a 4 hour conversation" each clinical day, then, yeah, that's going to seem like a waste of time. If you look at it as an opportunity to learn about psychiatric illnesses and interventions, psychiatric medications (effects, side effects, risks) -- even though you're not actually giving the medications yourself (what, you don't get enough experience handing out pills in your other clinicals? :)) -- which you will need to know anywhere you go in your future nursing career (because you will be dealing with clients who are on those medications anywhere you go in nursing), and honing the assessment and therapeutic communication skills that you will be using anywhere you go in nursing throughout your career, it can be a v. productive and valuable experience.

Sounds like someone is being a little biased.. I was actually excited about psych before I actually had any experience in clinicals.. I view the experience as a conversation because thats exactly what it was, nothing more or nothing less. I did read the charts, make care plans etc... but I like to be more active in nursing care.. Maybe if I actually worked in the facility as a nurse I would feel differently, but I don't. I was a student, doing "clinicals" and I just didn't feel like I personally gained anything from the experience like I have other classes. Hopefully other schools have different components to their psych clinicals than I had.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 12, 2011

.how awkward was it to sit and talk to these suicidal patients, trying to collect info for your careplans and what not and trying not to hit any sensitive subjects that would make em go apes**t...lol.

There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING funny about your post. Period.

Offensive, at best.

sunny0009 · Aug 14, 2011

Just finishing my rotation now. Not my cup of tea, but it is a great learning experience. I doubt you will see the level of collaboration and team work that you see in psych anywhere else.