State Psychiatric Hospital Experience?

[eehsrof]

Hi! I am a new graduate and I am about to have an interview for a state psychiatric hospital. During my clinical experiences I really felt at home during my psychiatric rotation and want to begin my career in the field. My only experience has been in a private acute care psychiatric facility. I have heard that in state psychiatric hospitals the nurses do not get patient interaction. This really scares me because it is the reason i enjoy psych nursing so much.

Can any one who works or has worked in a state facility tell me a little bit about your experiences? How often you get patient interaction? What is a normal day?

Any information is helpful

Thanks!

[elkpark]

I have not worked in a state psychiatric hospital, but I've taken groups of students to a state hospital for clinical and I worked for several years as a psychiatric hospital surveyor/inspector for my state and spent lots of time observing in both state hospitals and community hospital psych units in that capacity.

My observation over time has been that, in my state, at least, there's not really a significant difference (in terms of interaction with clients, level of risk, etc.) between working in a state hospital and working in a community hospital psych unit. The nurses I've seen in state hospitals spent at least as much time interacting with clients as the nurses in other inpt. psych settings; in many cases, more. Much of that is a matter of personal preference; nurses who prefer to hang out behind the desk and have as little contact as possible with clients usually find a way to do that and some superficially plausible rationale for doing so ("there's so much paperwork, I don't have time to spend time with the clients ..."). Nurses who want to spend time with clients find a way to do that, regardless of their work setting.

From what I know of the state hospitals in my state (having spent a few years going over them repeatedly with a fine-toothed comb :)), I would not hesitate to take a job in one of them. Also, state jobs tend to offer better pay and benefits than comparable jobs in the private setting.

Good luck with the interview! :balloons:

[Davey Do]

eehsrof:

Your action, as far as seeking information before rushing into an unknown situation , is a commendable thing to do.

Your primary concern of possibly not being allowed to spend as much direct time with patients is noteworthy, also.

It would be great if you can find a way to perpetuate this energy throughout your nursing career.

As elkpark noted, interaction times with patients is there, if you desire to utilize your time as such.

Your other questions can be discussed with your prospective employer. Discussing ANY concerns with your prospective employer is a good place to start. Often times, potential employees are given a tour of the facility and are allowed to chat with the current empoyees. First-hand information is usually the most accurate.

Good luck to you in your interview, eehsrof.

Dave