Transitioning out of psych - anyone else do this and feel like a new grad all over?

[pinkiepieRN]

I left my job on an inpatient psych unit in a community hospital to teach high schoolers and then I took time off due to personal reasons. I worked as a psych RN from July 2009 to January 2012. I just started back to work in May and I feel like I'm starting all over as a new grad with nothing! I do have my psych background and I'm good at setting rapport with residents, but I'm super slow at passing meds to 16 residents (I was used to 4-6, maybe 8 patients on psych) and my skills are really rusty. I'm sure some of this is due to being out of nursing for over a year, but I can't help but wonder if anyone has gone from psych to anything else and realized "hey, I kinda did lose my skills!" I'm not complaining at all nor do I regret my time in psych, but it's just a little frustrating to feel like I worked for 2.5 years and was a proficient nurse and now I'm back to a beginner!

This is more of a rant than anything and I'm not trying at all to discourage anyone from going into psych, but this is still something worth considering. I didn't go into psych thinking that I wouldn't do it for the rest of my career, but I also didn't have plans to stay in the same hospital or unit for more than 3-5 years without trying something new.

[lunaluna11]

YES! You're not alone. I worked in Psychiatric Nursing for a little over 6 years, at both a State run facility (inpatient and outpatient), and most recently at a drug/alcohol rehab. I'm ready to try something new and was offered a position in PACU closer to home. And yes it has been VERY challenging! I just finished my 5th week of orientation and feel like a new grad all over again. It's a very humbling experience going to work everyday and realizing how much I need to learn. I'm very overwhelmed and do not feel like this is a good fit for me at this time. I've been meeting with preceptor and management every week and they see me struggling too. I did work ICU directly out of nursing school for almost 2 years (but never really felt comfortable or experienced there either). So, on Monday I'm going to ask to be transferred to a less critical area, maybe take an RN refresher course if needed. I'm hoping they have a place for me. So, what has been your experience so far?

[Davey Do]

It's always interesting when an Answer is found within the Riddle;

I do have my psych background and I'm good at setting rapport with residents, but I'm super slow at passing meds to 16 residents (I was used to 4-6, maybe 8 patients on psych) and my skills are really rusty. I'm sure some of this is due to being out of nursing for over a year.

docebellaluna: You are good at setting rapport with your Residents because you have Practised your Craft.You are not as efficient as you would like to be passing meds to 16 residents because you are practised with passing meds to 4-8 residents.

Everything is difficult before it becomes easy.

And: Practise provides opportunity for possible improvement.

Hang in there. It'll come to you.

You too, lunaluna

Dave