I started a job a month ago with a state mental hospital. I was happy to get a job as a new grad, and they said they would give me 6 weeks of training. However, being in the unit, I've been feeling extremely overwhelmed. Many nurses and psych techs have been attacked by patients from broken ribs to punctured lungs and concussions, stabbing with pens...scary stuff! I was training in the Patient Observation Unit (the Psych hospital ER) and that was not as scary (the patients are only there for a minimum of 3 days and they're more being observed). Recently, I started training on the inpatient unit. I'm very concerned here because due to budget cuts, they have cut back a lot on staffing (there are 18 patients to 1 RN and 2 psych techs. A lot of these patients have a history of violence, many coming from the prison system, angry to be there, and unpredictable.
I am concerned doing med pass on this many patient as a new grad and making med errors. I'm concerned with my safety (the patients have free reign on the unit and are wandering around, constantly at the nurses station making threats and yelling). They say don't turn your back on the patients, but I don't see it possible to do this because they are all around me! I'm really not sure this is the right position for me or if it's worth risking my safety. As a new grad, I know there are not many options right now and it would be good to get experience. But I'm just feeling very scared and uncomfortable there. Any recommendations?
I hope so too Woodflower. We worked hard in school and I believe in my heart that we will find a nursing job that we can learn at and enjoy too. We just need to stay positive and also it helps to encourage each other! Allnurses is great for that! Paco, I have learned that it takes a certain type of person to do psych nursing. It is definitely a specialty!
If you are really concerned about your safery, I would look at another type of work for the moment while you search for the one you want. At least you'll be making some money while you look. Good luck.
I am thinking about it Kica! I don't want to be bouncing around from job to job, but if I can find something for the meantime to make some money. I'm living in Nevada right now, but I'm considering going back to California, where I went to school. I'm not sure where the job market is better, but I just need to find something! Where are you guys located at?
Specializes in Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Nursing.
A state psych facility is tough to work at because it's where the toughest to care for mentally ill patients are sent when all the private non-profit agencies throw their hands up and yell "I give up!" Usually, the state facilities handle the worst possible because they compensate the state workers well for doing the job (between pay rate + benefits) where it makes it worthwhile for workers to work there. In addition, there is usually a ton of initial and ongoing mandatory training of staff in state psych facilities. This training helps staff to deal with the psychological stress of the job as well as help them work as a team, which makes the units a much safer place to work.
I love working in psych, so I'll take the state psych job while Multicollinearity takes the job at Denny's for me :)
That being said...OP: get yourself out of there, or get yourself transferred to a less acute unit. State psych hospitals are not the place for a new grad, especially as the only nurse on a poorly staffed high acuity unit.
And if you are not feeling safe, trust your gut. Even I wouldn't stay at any psych job that I didn't feel safe at. There's always going to be some risk--it is psych, after all--but it should not be an overwhelming risk.
Couldn't agree more-this is way too dangerous and NOT WORTH IT IMO!!! I am trying to get into corrections and may have a shot at it soon. I know jobs are hard to come by but I would rather go to North Dakota as an RN and really freeze my bum off rather than stay in that situation!
Oh he** no!!!!!!! I would rather work as a vet tech (prefer animals to peeps anyway LOL) !! I would probably be less fearful of the animals :)
Careful here. I am a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). You don't work with just animals as a vet tech, you work with people too. We work with all types of people including the mentally ill, drug seekers, and some other really scary people. At night is the worst because usually it is just myself and the vet seeing emergencies. Sometimes we get a druggie/drunk that comes in demanding drugs or an upset client that threatens to take you out. There have been several times over the years that I've had one hand on the bear spray and the other on the panic button. There is more to vet med then just treating animals. You are also treating people.
I started a job a month ago with a state mental hospital. I was happy to get a job as a new grad, and they said they would give me 6 weeks of training. However, being in the unit, I've been feeling extremely overwhelmed. Many nurses and psych techs have been attacked by patients from broken ribs to punctured lungs and concussions, stabbing with pens...scary stuff! I was training in the Patient Observation Unit (the Psych hospital ER) and that was not as scary (the patients are only there for a minimum of 3 days and they're more being observed). Recently, I started training on the inpatient unit. I'm very concerned here because due to budget cuts, they have cut back a lot on staffing (there are 18 patients to 1 RN and 2 psych techs. A lot of these patients have a history of violence, many coming from the prison system, angry to be there, and unpredictable.
I am concerned doing med pass on this many patient as a new grad and making med errors. I'm concerned with my safety (the patients have free reign on the unit and are wandering around, constantly at the nurses station making threats and yelling). They say don't turn your back on the patients, but I don't see it possible to do this because they are all around me! I'm really not sure this is the right position for me or if it's worth risking my safety. As a new grad, I know there are not many options right now and it would be good to get experience. But I'm just feeling very scared and uncomfortable there. Any recommendations?
I worked psych for about 6 years. As was stated before always be aware of your surroundings. Where you are, what's going on around you. Psych nursing is an art. The first time that I went on the floor I was scared to death after about a year, I wasn't scared any more. I just had a heighten awareness of my surroundings. Don't loose your temper. Never yell. If the patient yells at you. lower your voice. This takes practice. If the hospital doesn't offer a self defense course, maybe the police or some group in your area does.
All of this takes time, in the meantime, follow the CNA's. If they say don't go near that patient. Don't go near them. If they say get out get out. I was lucky, where I worked we all looked out for one an other. Don't think of yourself as the nurse think of yourself as a member of a team. It is dangerous and can be deadly, just watch yourself.
Fuzzy= Well that just proves my point-it's the people you really have to look out for!!!!!
PS- I was making a general statement-I know that you deal with the "parents" of the pets which I have no doubt can be more exasperating/difficult than the animals LOL!
If you don't feel safe don't do it! Listen to your gut. I was working at the psych dept at the prison and I only lasted 2 months! I need the job for benefits, but my safety and mental health was more important I was stressed out everyday, anxious, but when I quit I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders!
I would rather work as a vet tech (prefer animals to peeps anyway LOL) !! I would probably be less fearful of the animals :)
GypseyGirl
39 Posts
I hope so too Woodflower. We worked hard in school and I believe in my heart that we will find a nursing job that we can learn at and enjoy too. We just need to stay positive and also it helps to encourage each other! Allnurses is great for that! Paco, I have learned that it takes a certain type of person to do psych nursing. It is definitely a specialty!