RN who's also a psych patient?

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I'm a new RN (I graduated about a year ago); my dream is to go into Psych, but I have a dilema: I'm also a psych patient. It's just depression and anxiety and I've seen the same doctor for years. There are only two medical campuses in my town, so I'm assuming that I should not apply for any positions in the facility where I'm a patient. Is this correct? Has anyone else ever dealt with this before?

Thanks!

Ella

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I agree with you. Do not apply to a place where you have been a patient--it's a conflict of interest. We have had patients who wanted to apply as techs after spending some time in our facility, but they were not allowed to do so. Also, we've had patients who came in and had been roommates or coworkers of employees currently working there, and they were not allowed to be on the same unit due to conflict of interest. I don't see a problem with you going into psych, but it needs to be somewhere where you haven't been a patient.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

You would not be the first nurse working in psych that has been or is being treated for psychiatric disorders :) Don't let that hold you back.

I agree with the previous poster though: don't apply to work at a facility that you have been a patient at. Not only is it a conflict of interest, it could potentially compromise your privacy. HIPAA would prevent staff from disclosing that you were a patient...but HIPAA doesn't apply to other patients who may have seen/known you when you were a patient there. Better you keep your life as a psych nurse and your life as a psych patient as separate as possible.

Good luck in the job hunt!

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Thank you for your responses! Yes, I was lucky that I did my psych rotation at the in-patient campus instead of the out-patient (where I'm a patient). I actually did run into my doctor but neither of us acknowledged the other until my next appointment when I said I was doing my rotation.

I'll definitely be concentrating my job hunting on the other campus and the VA hospital.

Thanks again!

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Specializes in LTC, geriatric/psych, Substance abuse.

Good for you! I remember going to a conference at my facility, which is a psych hospital. The presenter, a psychiatrist and clinician in a state near mine, shared the fact that she had been a patient at our hospital years ago, and was still a recovering alcoholic over 25 years later, which made us all feel GREAT. You are NOT alone. The compassion and understanding you can bring to your work just might be priceless. Kudos and all the best!

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I'll definitely be concentrating my job hunting on the other campus and the VA hospital.

Thanks again!

Good luck to you, your medical background is your business. Sounds like you have a

good MD and you follow your treatment plan. Follow your dream....

You can bring a lot to psych nursing including insight and the patience it takes to

care for this population. Hope you find a good job match for you soon so you can

get started in this specialty!

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