Why did you choose psych nursing?

PSYCHNURSE27 · Jul 18, 2005

Keely-

I Have Been A Psych Nurse For Approx. 1 Year-this Is The First Job After Graduation. I Love It-the Best Thing I Like About It Seeing Improvement In The Patients That I See-especially Those Who Are Severely Depressed-not Eating, Poor Hygiene, In Bed All Day.it Is Very Interesting To See These Pt's After They Recieve Ect(if That Is The Only Tx. They Respond To-and The Quickest Tx.) It Is Amazing To Come Into Work One Day After Not Seeing The Pt. For A Couple Days And They Are Out On The Unit, Social, Laughing, Eating, Clean-it's Wonderful! So, To Answer Your Question-yes, It Is Difficult But Also Rewarding At Times-i've Been Hit At A Couple Of Times, Couple Bruises-but Very Rare.and The Non-compliance Issues Is Disturbing Too- It Is Overall, A Very Rewarding Field-you Personally Learn Better Communication Skills That Help You In Your Own Life-and The Job Is Never Boring!

CharlieRN · Jul 18, 2005

Why? 'Cause I found out I was good at it.

I don't have to wear a uniform and my coworkers are generally sane. We are screened by our peers for general mental health. At least until you get up into the management and administrators. There is something about calling someone "vice pres" that starts to warp them into the corporate mind set. It may be of course that they never came up through the ranks, and never got screened for general mental healthiness.

TitaniaSidhe · Jul 18, 2005

Yes it is difficult & emotionally draining & sometimes scarey BUT I am a hell of a good psych nurse. I find tht I just have an extreemly good sense of people & can readily connect. I enjoy making a difference when possible. The no uniform thing is a definate plus.

normj · Jul 22, 2005

The old saw "You don't HAVE to be crazy to work here, but it sure helps" definitely applies on my unit ...

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jul 22, 2005

I wound up on psych because they had dayshift openings. That's it. I stayed because I love the work despite all the down sides. Like others have noted, sometimes you just find our you're good at something you never would have intentionally set out to do. I work in it only part time now as I work FT in a completely unrelated setting. I left full time psych status because a great job opened up elsewhere and I couldn't see me working the hospital full time (on any unit, not just psych) and maintaining my sanity...

Keely-FutureRN · Jul 22, 2005

Wow! Thank you for your responses. I really admire you nurse ratched because I have read many of your posts and value your opinion. I don't know where my "place" in nursing will be but I'm still going to keep psych. nursing as a strong option. Thanks.

Keely

Moishe Pupik · Jul 27, 2005

To put it simply, psych is easier and more interesting, for observing how the mind works is more interesting than changing bed pans. Of course you can't be upset by a pt cursing at you. There is also the risk of assault. For me I wouldn't work anywhere else.

I have been reading many of the old threads here lately. It seems like with all the combative pts, non-compliance with therapy/meds, stresses of dealing with eccentric behavior, trying to diffuse tense situations, etc. that psych. would be a very negative working environment and very emotionally draining. I am very interested in becoming a psych. nurse and I just want to hear a little bit about why you chose it and what you like about it. Thanks in advance. :)
Keely

StuPer · Jul 28, 2005

Hmmm.... Not sure about easier.... but definately different. Also love the no uniform bit.. but most of all I love the work, the people you get to meet and help... and finally that sense of achievement you get just enough times to keep you smiling.

regards StuPer

sadiev2002 · Aug 4, 2005

Why? 'Cause I found out I was good at it.
I don't have to wear a uniform and my coworkers are generally sane. We are screened by our peers for general mental health. At least until you get up into the management and administrators. There is something about calling someone "vice pres" that starts to warp them into the corporate mind set. It may be of course that they never came up through the ranks, and never got screened for general mental healthiness.

I am going into psychiatric nursing. Just started school. However, I am bipolar. Haven't had episodes in years as I comply with my meds. Will this cause me a problem in getting a job? I never thought about mental health screenings?

Thanks so much for any replies

Sadie

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2005

I call it the OJH program

On the Job Help :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

I went into counseling and psych nursing (dual Masters) because I too was good at it. Was in it for 10 years. However, I have been out of the field for 2 1/2 years now. Burned out after my own episode of PTSD. Wise choice going in and a wise choice coming out. May return to it in the future, but no rush. I enjoy med-surg. Need to take care of oneself first. There is truth to the saying, "To thine ownself be true". I have no regrets.