Working in Psych and then being a patient in your unit!

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I am a Behavioral Health RN and eversince in Nursing school, I knew that that's what I always wanted to do, but sometimes, I hear comments from people saying: "Don't work too long in Psych, you might end up being a patient in your unit". Of course they say this in a joking manner. But I am just wondering, is there any basis for this one? Any comments? Just curious.

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It would be extremely inappropriate for a psych nurse (or any other mental health professional) to be treated on the same unit, or even in the same facility, in which s/he worked. If a psych admission were necessary, the person would be admitted to a different facility.

(Or are you asking, generally, whether working in psych makes you bonkers??)

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This has happened more than once where I work. I can't believe they would even want to, because of privacy issues, but this is a rural area and the nearest psych facility is 100 miles in any direction so maybe that's why they come in here.

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yes elkpark, that's my main question---is there any basis to what other people say (in a joking manner usually) that working in psych can make you bonkers? Just curious.

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This has happened more than once where I work. I can't believe they would even want to, because of privacy issues, but this is a rural area and the nearest psych facility is 100 miles in any direction so maybe that's why they come in here.

p.s. These people have all had multiple admissions.:( I don't go looking for this; as a pharmacist, I have access to the complete patient roster.

The local police blotter has a lot of familiar names in it too, from psych admissions. It's weird to look at mug shots and think, "So that's what s/he looks like." :uhoh21:

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I've noticed a good number of people who choose a career in psych have had personal experience with psych issues, either in themselves or a loved one. If the personal issues are unresolved, working in an environment of chaos and violence can certainly be unhealthy and lead to an acute hospitaliztion.

I think nursing in general makes you bonkers.

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

we have one nurse that was a pt. on the unit she works a few years ago....that is only one I am aware of.....

But in answer to your question "does psych make you psychotic"

I would have to say no....there are a lot of psyche nurses that do have a history of addiction tho. I think they are great and really can relate with the pts. on the dual unit. They really are wonderful with the pts. But no, you if do not have a prior history of mental illness, psyche is not going to "make you bonkers" any more than any nursing position.

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just thought i would add my 2 cents worth to the discussion.more than 30 years ago i was treated in an in-pt unit for depression after a failed suicde attempt.at this stage i was working as an enrolled nurse (= to your lvn) in a general setting.for quite sometime i wasn't allowed unescorted time of the unit,but nearly everyday a med student came and took me for a walk in tne park next door. it was her humane and caring treatment of me that a sparked an interest in mental health work. some many years later i went back to school and got my diploma of nursing & since (1994) i have only worked in a variety of mental health settings. about 6 years ago i fell back into that big black hole called depression, which required admission to hosp (to another facility,not where i was working) unfortunately all though trailed on a number of anti-depressants,nothing appeared to be working,so after much discussion i underwent a good number of ect treatments which just enabled to put my self back together,with alot of support from a community mental health team. i am still working in mental health.

sorry this story is probably alot too long!

but in answer to your query, sometimes i think just like in any other branch of nursing,sometimes it can help to have had some 1st hand experience.

but i have always said that to work in this field you won't drive you mad,it just feels like that sometime!!:banghead:

sorry if this is too long winded

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Specializes in behavioral health.

keetahe,

i commend your strength and perseverance!! =)

and to the thread... i started nursing bonkers =P

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
yes elkpark, that's my main question---is there any basis to what other people say (in a joking manner usually) that working in psych can make you bonkers?

No.

Everyone is subject to stress in their life and prone to whatever genetic predisposition their DNA dictates.

No increased risk at all.

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thanks for sharing your story,keetahe. hope you're feeling okay.

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Many nurses I know, psych or otherwise, have mental health issues. We are a very high risk field to be in.

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