When most new nursing graduates are looking for employment, psychiatric nursing is often overlooked. There is often a stigma associated with the specialty. A majority of working nurses and new graduates often deem it as unsafe , unpredictable or unimportant. Nurses are not to blame, often times the clinical rotation in institutions of learning are only a third of other specialties.
Yes, psychiatric nursing is unpredictable at times. Most of the time patients behavior is documented by emergency room nurses before they are received by the acute psychiatric facility. This is very important , because the patients past behaviors are most likely an indicator of present and future behavior patterns. Psychiatric facilities are safer environment because they are controlled. Every patient is searched for weapons , drugs and other unsafe items. This is unlike hospitals where a patient can have anything on them along with their visitors. A good psychiatric facility is also staffed with psychiatric technicians that are trained in verbal and physical deescalation techniques. This is another luxury that psychiatric facilities have that other specialties do not.
As a psychiatric nurse I can honestly tell you psychiatric nursing is very rewarding . There is nothing greater to me than to see a person who is suffering from depression, psychosis or bipolar improve mentally. Often patients admitted to acute psychiatric facilities are unable to cope with daily activities of living . As a nurse observing the patients discharge, becoming functional and productive again is fulfilling to the soul.
At the end of the day every nurse is a psychiatric nurse . Most psychiatric patients are admitted from emergency departments and other out patient sources. It is impossible to be physically health if the mind is unhealthy. Don't overlook the great and rewarding opportunity of becoming a psychiatric nurse.