Stuck in psych nursing

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Hi all,

I'm seeking some advice on how I can make the jump from psych nursing back into med-surg/ED (my long term goal is to earn a dual FNP/PMHNP degree and work in a more acute setting I.e ED or urgent care). I know I will need the experience and med-surg background prior to feeling comfortable as an FNP. I love psych and earned my BS in psych prior to returning to school for my BSN. I figured psych nursing would be great to merge my passion of mental health and medicine. I enjoy psych nursing but since I've been working in as an RN (as both a floor nurse and a nurse manager) I've come to really miss all the medical stuff we had to learn in school. 

The trouble I've run into is that the med-surg jobs seem to be open to new grads and experienced nurses with a med surg background (at least here in the Boston area). I kinda feel like I'm not able to get any other experience anywhere else because my resume is primarily psych. 

Any advice on how I can make that jump or units that would be good to start on? 

 

Thanks

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I would try two things. There are med/surg units for psych patients, and a hybrid unit like that might be more willing to give you a chance.

You could also apply for psych jobs in acute facilities with medical units. Let them know that you're interested in cross-training, and there's a good chance they'll take you up on the offer.

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Specializes in Peds ED.

I would try ERs. I’ve worked many places that love psych experience because we see so many psych patients (for psych or non-psych complaints) in the ED.

Inpatient dual diagnosis or medical psych is a good idea too- big city like Boston probably has units like that.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 9/10/2020 at 8:17 AM, BSN said:

Any advice on how I can make that jump or units that would be good to start on? 

Geriatric psych has its share of medical and, for 17 years, allowed me to keep up on some basic medical stuff.

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Specializes in Psych.
On 9/10/2020 at 10:05 AM, Sour Lemon said:

I would try two things. There are med/surg units for psych patients, and a hybrid unit like that might be more willing to give you a chance.

You could also apply for psych jobs in acute facilities with medical units. Let them know that you're interested in cross-training, and there's a good chance they'll take you up on the offer.

Yes! I work med-psych & it’s awesome!l

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Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. 

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

That's weird because in my neck of the woods, med-surg takes anyone with a pulse and unencumbered license.

Covid-19 is probably affecting the hiring process, not your nursing experience. Keep applying, you will definitely get in!

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I have been trying to escape from psych for 2 years now. Multiple interviews and absolutely nothing. Each application I submit to the hospital receives a “you’re not qualified” response. Prior to entering psych I was an oncology nurse and gained 4 years of experience there. Now I feel that I am nothing more than a band-aid getter and referee for the fights that ensue on the adolescent units. 
In January 2020 I was assaulted by a 17-year old patient during a riot on the unit. I was pushed into a broken door frame as I was trying to prevent this patient from kicking other staff members in the head while they were in the floor managing the three other offenders. Due to understaffing, we called the local police as that was our only option. It took 7 policemen to gain control of the unit that day (which we were later reprimanded for). I remember walking down the hallway, stepping over puddles of blood, realizing the blood spattered walls and feeling thankful I made it out okay. 
The next day I noticed a bluish-green “knot” on my arm that was slightly  painful to touch. It was fine over the next 10 days. Nothing more than a large bruise. I woke up 10 days later at 5 a.m. in my living room chair. 105.3 temp, utter confusion...my daughter got an Uber to the ED for me. By that time my kidneys had failed and I was in respiratory failure, admitted to ICU for a 5 day/$47,000 Hospital stay... PICC had to be inserted for my vancomycin infusions. Septicemia and cellulitis on my right arm was the result of that riot. My Arm is now scarred from the cellulitis. My nursing director submitted a letter to workers Comp  Stating that it wasn’t clear if the violence that day really caused my current condition...

With all that being said, I feel desperate to leave the psych facility but keep getting one denial after another. 

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