Should I apply for Psych Charge position?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jun 7, 2011

It wouldn't hurt to apply and be interviewed. Then you can ask all the questions you might have.

It could be the job is posted because that's standard procedure in the hospital, but someone from within the psych unit already has "dibs" on it.

Davey Do · Jun 8, 2011

I'm just looking for some feedback/opinions please.
I have been a M/S nurse for the last 3.5 years, getting a tad burnt out with the floor, pts, families, etc... I just need a change, but don't want to make the wrong decision.
Any words of wisdom, encouragement, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Well, since you asked...

My concern is what you list as the reasons for your burnout- you listed none specifically that had anything to do with the technical end of things, like processes and procedures. I'm guessing that your reference to Patients and Families has to do with Personalities that are sometimes difficult to deal with.

From My Perspective, it would appear that you might just be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Psych Nursing has a lot of Patients with personality-oriented problems that require objective, principled approaches. Sometimes, Mental Illness runs in the Family, so you need to use similar techniques in dealing with Family Members as you do with Patients.

There aren't many medical procedures utilized in Psych Nursing, per se. Aside from medication administration, the majority of Psych Nursing is working with, and dealing with, behaviors.

I'll second Whispera's suggestion and encourage you to question your job responsibilities during the interview process.

The best to you, 2bTraumaRN2008.

Dave

MickeyTong · Jun 12, 2011

Words of wisdom from Dave.

I assume a "M/S nurse" is medical-surgical.......and you want to be in charge of a team of psyche nurses?

As a species, mental health nurses have highly-developed BS detectors and a tendency to speak their minds (although this is tempered with tact, diplomacy and professionalism, the message is very clear).

We deal with some pretty outrageous and unreasonable behaviour and speech from patients, and their families - it's the nature of the game: if that's the stuff that has burnt you out in your current job, moving to psyche may just plow you under completely. Really, it isn't the easy option that some nurses think it is - sit on your asre all day drinking coffee, having a few chats and handing out some pills....easy life, not like real nursing for real illnesses.

Davey Do · Jun 12, 2011

As a species, mental health nurses have highly-developed BS detectors and a tendency to speak their minds (although this is tempered with tact, diplomacy and professionalism, the message is very clear).
We deal with some pretty outrageous and unreasonable behaviour and speech from patients, and their families - it's the nature of the game: if that's the stuff that has burnt you out in your current job, moving to psyche may just plow you under completely.

I found your comment interesting, Mickey. In particular, I found your general perspective on Mental Health Nurses very interesting. And, I have a tendency to have to agree with that perspective; however, not on a general level. Higher-conscious Individuals populate all areas of professions as well as those who are not cursed with self-awareness. The rain falls on the Just and the Unjust, so to speak.

Your statement "mental health nurses have...a tendency to speak their minds" is profound. It seems like those who have good insight to who they are tend to be more realistic with the People they deal with.

A case in point: When I started out in this field as an LPN, there was one incidence where a seasoned RN listened as I complained of a particular Patient's behavior. When I was finished, she informed me on her method of dealing with such behaviors. Then she said something I'll never forget: "Remember this" she said, "Under different circumstances, any one of these Patients could be you. Or you could be any one of these Patients."

Her statement caused me to view the Patients I worked with in a different light. I had risen to my particular level of functioning due to my circumstances. My circumstances were a result of the opportunities and other blessings afforded me. Some of the Patients I worked with had been smitten by the Hand of Fate- either as a result of their own choices or as a result of their Lot in Life.

Dr. Wayne Dyer said something like, "Seemingly unrelated events brought you to where you are right now". My seemingly unrelated events resulted in me being the Nurse. Their seemingly unrelated events resulted in them being the Patient. Viewing life from this perspective was something of a humbling experience and put all of the parties involved on a more even playing field. There for the grace of God go I, so to speak.

Yes, Mr. Mickey, we do speak our minds.

Thank you for your wonderful comment. You truly said a mouthful in just a few words. (Oh- and I hope that your BS detector didn't go off!)

Dave

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jun 12, 2011

Mickey and Dave have said alot of good stuff here. I totally agree that if your issues with your current job are patients and families (that seems to be saying you have some trouble with difficult people?) it wouldn't be any better in psych. It would be worse sometimes, if not often. Patients have personality disorders along with their other psych disorders. Sometimes my eyes twirl at the bizarre behavior and lack of logic that is present on psych floors, in patients and families--bizarre behavior that isn't part of the major psych disorder that's requiring hospitalization. One huge behavior is attempts to manipulate staff. You have to have a really thick skin. Do you?

Also, staff on psych floors generally have no problem with asserting whatever they think is their rights. They don't hide how they feel. If overtime is required, for instance, they're not going to go along with it always-easily. They're going to call you out on things they see as stupidity or lack of being-reasonable on your part, even when you don't see things as they do. That's part of attacking the BS. I think psych nurses can be much more assertive than those in other specialties, just because we have to be, to care for our patients. It flows onto the rest of our lives.

Is the charge nurse you'd be replacing still there or otherwise reachable? It would be to your advantage to talk to him or her about what it's really like on the unit, and what problems he/she ran into while charge. You might also observe or shadow on the unit...

jewlsRN · Jun 13, 2011

I just graduated last year and went straight to psych, which was my dream/goal throughout the nursing program. When I tried to orientate to charge right away, I found myself completely overwhelmed. Of course, I did not have any nursing experience at all behind me....but, I found that working on the floor and learning how the unit works and how to communicate effectively as possible with patients, family, staff was more beneficial than jumping right into a charge position. Just from my experience of going straight from nursing school (more medically orientated) to psych, I would say that it would be better to work on the floor first, before becoming charge. This helped in gaining respect as a team player from all staff so that when I now work as charge, the overall environment is less tense than when others who never worked the floor are charge. Psych is so different from med-surg....and although the medical experience will be helpful, it is necessary to learn how to deal with some severe behavior and potential safety issues before running the show yourself. A few months after I started, a nurse with 30 yrs of med-surg experience was hired. She has become my mentor in many medical related situations....but, even she says over and over what a different experience this is and has been like learning a whole new field (and even she stays away from being charge as much as possible since it can be very stressful and overwhelming at times). All the best in whatever you decide to do! Psych is an awesome and rewarding specialty - just takes some time to adjust is all :-)

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

I just remembered....if you're charge nurse and there suddenly or continuously is chaos or worse, YOU are the one who will have to jump in and try to fix it when everyone else bows out, or when nothing they are doing is working. Would you be ready for this with no psych experience?

examples: attempted or actual suicides on the unit (maybe more than one at a time), attempted or actual self-mutilation with blood everywhere and a whole lot of upset patients everywhere, out-of-control behavior that's a danger to staff and other patients (huge guy swinging furniture), huge patients or really angry patients trying to kill each other because they are ANGRY (and in their life, such things are not considered necessarily wrong), staff member who is a friend losing it with patients. All of these things happened when I was charge nurse on a psych floor that was supposed to be not-psych-ICU. Please think about all of this.

showbizrn · Jun 13, 2011

no psych experience in a leadership position?

no way.

the inpatient psychiatric unit

routine, policies and procedures

will hone a portion of the skills

you will need "to run" the unit.

how are your leadership skills?

coordinating/ managing psychiatric emergencies,

disruptive

family members, short-staffing

takes experience and skill.

sorry.

if you lack the above in any

nursing specialty area,

i would recommend that

you get some experience first

before pursuing a leadership position.

just my 2-cents.

much success to you.