whats it all about

One of my favorite topics. I spent 7 years in psych nursing. Got into it because when I went back to school the psych hospital was offering great shifts that accommodated my school schedule well. I came from critical care nursing and shared the view of one of my colleagues who said that going from critical care nursing to psych nursing was like going from a Porsche to a VW Beetle. What an arrogant and narrow-minded statement to make!!

When I first started I thought it was a cake-walk. Nothing to do but sit around and talk to the patients and give out meds. Was I ever wrong, it was a classic case of "I did not know what I did not know."

There is a specific set of skills needed to be a successful psych nurse. People that are patients in the psych hospital are usually very emotionally and mentally vulnerable and the words you use and actions you take have dramatic effects on these patients' decisions and thus their outcomes. I found it to be like any other area of nursing. You must identify the things you need to learn and sharpen your assessment skills. Most critical care nurses can't tell schizophrenia from schizoid-affective disorder or a personality disorder from psychosis. Just like most psych nurses can't interpret cardiac rhythms. One problem I observed is that nurses new to the psych area tend to interject their own opinions and make many value-laden and judgmental statements thereby interfering with the patient accomplishing what they need to accomplish in their own mind.

It is a fascinating area to work and very rewarding. It takes a great amount of skill to be able to discern behavior and determine if it is harmful or not to the patient. Many social factors involved. We can talk more if you like. I certainly miss psych nursing, I enjoyed more than any other area I have worked.

Hi Ainz,

I'm very new to this area too -- starting my psych nursing semester on 1/19 and am very interested in what to expect. I've heard from a lot of fellow students that it's nothing like med-surg nursing and the other areas of the hospital we have been exposed to. I've always been intrigued by this area and am looking forward to delving more into it. I enjoyed reading your comments, thanks for the input!

Hello trigwf24,

I have worked in psych for 7yrs and I could'nt dream about working anywhere else. The variety, and sense of satisfaction is outstanding..... yesterday I helped a 15yr old with self harm tendencies and helped heal a rift between her and her mother. I was able to get help for a 34yr old who had taken a Methadone O/D, and a 38yr old with relationship dificulties. I went home feeling I had been able to help others to help themselves, which is what it is all about for me.

The most valuable asset is what ainz touched upon, to be non-judgemental. Whatever your background, upbringing, morale fibre...etc. it will not be the same as the next person, and they're outlook on the world is as valid as yours. So when you are with a patient, put yourself in their shoes, try to understand thier world. Once you have that insight its easier to see what may help and what won't. Oftentime the best thing you can do is let someone know your there for them, that no matter what they've done to themselves, or whatever they are experiencing, you will listen and talk, and be a friend. I have found this works even with some acutely psychotic individuals, to the point where when medication is required they are more willing to accept the need because they trust you.

regards StuPer