Should You Consider Becoming a Psychiatric Nurse?

Are you interested in a career in psychiatric nursing? Learn more about what to expect in a psychiatric nursing career, and if this role may be a fit for you. Psychiatric nursing offers an abundance of intrinsic rewards, but is not without significant challenges, including the stigma of mental illness and lack of public awareness. Other frequent challenges are non-compliance in patients with their medications and other directives, which sometimes may result in violent acts among patients or even towards staff. This doesn't deter nurses who are passionate about psychiatry, however. To these devoted nurses, the benefits of psychiatric nursing far outweigh the drawbacks of this often intensely challenging field.

Working with psychiatric patients is not for everyone. One of the greatest challenges for psychiatric nurses is when a volatile patient becomes violent. It doesn't happen often, and you learn to assess the verbal and non-verbal cues and signs to prepare for an outburst. This is a common fear that may deter some nurses from pursuing careers in psychiatric nursing. However, with teamwork and guidance from a strong nursing and management team, nurses learn how to prepare, and how to manage a potentially dangerous situation for a positive outcome.A patient's breakthrough is the ultimate reward. When a patient who hasn't spoken for a year, for example, suddenly says "Hi" and compliments your new haircut or asks for a hug, these are moments of utmost satisfaction. Psychiatric patients are often regarded poorly by society, so treating them with respect, as fellow human beings, goes a very long way.

Prospective psychiatric nurses must gain experience in medical-surgical nursing, because many psychiatric patients also have medical issues that are causing or contributing to their psychiatric condition.The promising job market includes a variety of employment options such as outpatient clinics, assisted living facilities, addiction/rehabilitation centers, and home health care.Psychiatric nurses must be willing and able to accept challenges and overcome them while maintaining a calm demeanor. Remaining calm under pressure is imperative, so as not to escalate the patient's mood. Empathy is another key trait - one must be able to put themselves in the patient's shoes and treat them accordingly.

Being a psychiatric nurse requires one to build a relationship with the patient. Unfortunately, mental illness affects all walks of life: all age groups, all races, creeds, and colors.As a professional nurse, it's always important to remain current in your field. Follow the latest practice trends, since new ideas and new treatment methods are constantly being developed to treat patients and their illnesses.Nurses should always remain compassionate and empathetic, while maintaining a certain amount of professional distance in order to provide the best care possible. It's also important that psychiatric nurses not allow themselves to become jaded or judgmental.

Psychiatric nursing is a calling - you either love it. or hate it. Each diagnosis is different. You don't see the same signs and symptoms for each case as you do in medicine. If you want immediate gratification, however, psychiatric nursing may not be the best fit for you. The progress takes longer to develop in psychiatric cases. Unlike an emergency room setting, where a person comes in with a broken bone or a ruptured appendix, and goes home "all better" after surgery or other treatment, psychiatric improvement often takes a minimum of three to five days.