New to Psych Nursing? What to expect, what it looks like passing meds, and daily assessments.

As a new psych nurse, it can be daunting to start working in an inpatient setting. In this video, I share my experience and provide some tips and advice on what to expect. I discuss what a daily med pass looks like, common questions to ask during daily assessments, and what patient behavior to expect. I also share some tricks for medication dispensing and highlight the importance of safety checks. Whether you're a new psych nurse or just curious about what goes on in an inpatient setting, this video has something for you.

[@donnazerbe8000]

Just passed my 1 year of psych hospital nursing. Never thought I would work there but really like it.

[@jesusiskingofmyheart]

Are you still there?! :)

[@inappropriatern8060]

I start my dream job as a forensic psych/addiction nurse tomorrow morning. This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@tiffanym6358]

Hello! I just got hired in the child/adolescent psychiatric unit as a new grad. Thanks for the video! I’m so excited

[@abbeycoughlin4097]

How's it going so far?

[@jesusiskingofmyheart]

How is it going ? :)

[@tiffanym3761]

@@abbeycoughlin4097my manager was a super micro-manager! Found this out 6 months in. Luckily, I found a new job working as a psych ER nurse. Absolutely love it!!! Psych really is the best field

[@tiffanym3761]

@@jesusiskingofmyheartI quit that job but now I work in the psych ER which is amazing! I recommend it over inpatient psych because you’re stuck with them if they’re super crazy.

[@jesusiskingofmyheart]

@@tiffanym3761 That's awesome :) I may apply to an ER position, down the line. But for whatever reason, the Lord opened this job opportunity for me to start in Psych/Med Surg unit :). So I am trusting His plan and purpose for my life, and I know this will benefit me in the future if I pursue ER. Thank you !

[@jesusiskingofmyheart]

New grad psych nurse here, starting in two weeks! Your videos have been so helpful in what to expect as a psych nurse! Thank you :)

[@tiffanym3761]

You’ll be fine! Pray and ask God to protect you ❤

[@jesusiskingofmyheart]

@@tiffanym3761 Absolutely. I pray I will be able to shine the light and love of Christ to all my coworkers and patients. I will be praying for the hospital & patients, in my heart.

[@maynardcortes1493]

me too, how is it so far?

[@dori4567]

I’m thinking of applying for an adolescent psych nurse position . I’ve watched multiple videos but none have been this informative! Thank you so much for staying on topic and giving us a real view of what your job looks like

[@konesmalones]

I've been doing home health for the past 2 years, but will be starting my first day on an adult psych unit tomorrow. crazy nervous, but this definitely helped!

[@bonavielabarentos938]

Hi can you recommend any books for psyche, my nursing concepts are rusty, and i m interested to go psyche nursing next year.

[@nataliemarie4325]

how'd it go?!

[@Bellari_P]

How’s it going?

[@amiachannel5901]

Very informative video. Doing orientation at a psychiatric center. Just want to point out something, “psyche is not easy”. It is mentally exhausting plus if you are the med nurse that day you will be giving out so much prn medication it’s nonstop. Be very observant, patient can escalate quickly and this could have been prevented if you notice the earlier stages.

[@pierremaxmarius8969]

Very insightful and informative, thank you!!!

[@claytonb2003]

Wow this is super helpful. I’m strongly considering switching to psych and this is informative. Thank you!

[@happinessprodukto]

Thank you so much for this video... ready to grind on my very first job as psych nurse

[@theskyisthelimitincanada3447]

Thank you very much for the information. I got hired in adult in pt mental health unit . Keep uploading your experiences with us . Thanks again

[@mizzchuz.6413]

Wonderful video! Thank you.

[@aureliazoey101]

Adorable baby and great info for my first day as a psych nurse tomorrow. Thanks so much!

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

Hah, good luck!

[@laureeeee]

Just wanted to thank you for taking the time for making this video. I feel motivates to become a psychiatric medical provider due to really bad experiences I've had in both inpatient and outpatient psych facilities but I don't think I'll be able due to my mental health issues. However watching these videos and learning about that lifestyle/job makes me feel better somehow Thanks again, xo

[@emmanabakolwe6291]

I start my clinicals in psyche unit on monday and super nervous but hopeful this helps. Thank you

[@GG17250]

Watching your back..hehe...I actually had more action and behaviors on a post acute traumatic brain injury unit as a CNA the more classified mental health units...

[@kekec4chitown80]

Thank you for this video. I’ve been thinking about transitioning from med surg to psyche !!

[@mmmhmm8197]

What are your favorite parts of med/surg nsg? I'm a new grad started on a psych inpatient floor and am loving it, but It's also not a full time position yet so debating where else I'd like to work part time.

[@GG17250]

Thanks for these videos I really appreciate it!!! I'm a CNA looking to go to nursing school to be a psych nurse. I'd love to also be a counselor, but I'm 45 and can't do 6 years full time to be LCSW. So I think this would be closely the same.

[@angeliquemaez5569]

Such a cute kid!!!! Thanks for the informative video!

[@marisaguerreroRN]

Just got a new job in psych as an RN! Nervous yet excited ❤

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

Congrats! Keep us posted w/ first impressions.

[@petermentnech5468]

This was great. I've worked as an RN in several intensive outpatient MH settings for over 5 years and I am starting my first inpatient job at the end of this month and while I have worked in this field so long Im still nervous!!

[@simplybirdie6481]

This is a very helpful video. Cute kid!

[@daisymingsing]

New grad psych nurse here. This video has helped me ease. Thank you!

[@hannahavery49]

I am also a new grad psych nurse and this is very helpful.

[@jesusiskingofmyheart]

Same! How's it going for you now ? :)

[@jesusiskingofmyheart]

@@hannahavery49 How is it going for you?!

[@Egoliftdaily]

Thanks. Good to know.

[@mackdennis7355]

Made me want to get into it even more

[@GordonClare]

so helpful

[@stephanied9629]

This brings back memories! I was a psych nurse for a decade in the locked wards of a state psych hospital. We had the “worst of the worst” patients. I have soooooo many stories, people would not believe the things that happened! Wild times! I miss it sometimes! I miss my coworkers, you have to be a real team. We did get hurt A LOT! We took lots of abuse from the patients daily. Even so, I miss it a lot at times. I’m a Pediatric Home Health nurse now so very different!

[@user-eh1vp3ev3c]

You probably contributed to quite a bit of suffering as well, toward sane people who were offered no control over their lives. Many for the mere action of deciding they'd had enough of their life, yet being forced to continue living in the worst imaginable scenario. I hope some day we can learn to respect life/death autonomy in the same way that we respect a woman's right to bodily autonomy during pregnancy. Until such a time, I find it very difficult to empathize with people who are unwilling to admit their contribution to patient trauma. It feels like people who have taken an oath to do no harm have little right to complain, when infringing on the autonomy of others leads to personal injury.

[@stephanied9629]

@@user-eh1vp3ev3c lol, Bless your heart. You know nothing about me or my experiences and you're off to assume you do. Sit down. Oh....you are pro murder babies in the womb, huh? Figures. Again, have a seat.

[@krystalkelly3054]

thanks

[@donnazerbe8000]

Well I forgot I posted that I just passed my 1 year of psych nursing in psych hospital. The place I work most are there per mental health board for S O.

[@Starship245]

I am also new. Have so many questions

[@adeoluolagbaiye5207]

Can you share how you write your assessment note? Thanks

[@yasminwalker3756]

I loved this video. It was informative & really helpful! I’ve been on edge about pursuing school + psych nursing. It’s intimidating. How do you get over being nervous and making mistakes that could revoke your license? What path do I take to become a psychiatric nurse? I’m interested in psychology and I love helping people but I’m terrified to be a nurse

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

The nervousness goes away w/ experience (although to this day I still sometimes will feel nervous). And then just knowing what your scope of practice is, policies and procedures of your place of employment, and getting a doctor's order if you're ever unsure about something for a psychiatric patient. Hope that helps.

[@yasminwalker3756]

@@A_Psych_Nurse thank you 🙏🏾 I appreciate it!

[@NurseEvie]

Hi Yasmin, I'm a student nurse and sometimes I get worried about making mistakes too but honestly I wouldn't worry too much because if you are ever unsure about something you can always ask a senior nurse or colleague to help provide some advice or guidance and show you how they would handle a situation or procedure. You've got this, if it's a dream you have to be a psych nurse I say go for it! You can always ask questions if you're unsure

[@autumnmoonfire3944]

Not a psych nurse but encountered this problem, you’ve gotten all the pills scanned in, and hatched out of their blister packs, now you may or may not know what each individual pill is and you’re asked “what’s the blue pill, I don’t take a blue pill.” Maybe you know it’s Zoloft, so you say that, but the patient argues that at home her Zoloft is white, because genetics can and do look different from different manufacturers. Be ready for this.

[@hadujolop]

Just like tutoring someone online is there also an online psych nurses? Or is it even a thing?

[@CequalsRN]

🔥

[@Jaycarbrownie12]

So cute ❤❤

[@tali3425]

I have a question… I know a lot of the time patients lie about their feelings because they want to be discharged… how do you know patients are being honest? I had a psych stay back in 2010. It was horribly abusive :(

[@Mic9Lives]

Thx for the vid! How many patients do u typically have?

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

Forensics it was ~27 per unit. Civil was ~24. Outpatient was 50-60 Private inpatient = ~6

[@jvillanueva7253]

Hi. Nice video. Also is it primary nursing or is there a dedicated medication nurse and a different charge nurse? Also, do the nurses do the laundry?

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

Really depends on the facility Villanueva. My answer would vary to each of your questions depending where I worked.

[@MichelleTyner]

Your baby is sooooo cute and well behaved ❤

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

you should meet our middle one. . .!

[@aarondouglas4232]

Do you not have to undertake clinical practice whilst studying in the US? Here in the uk, we have to complete 4600 Hours over 3 Years (50% theory and 50% in clincal practice/'on the wards') in order to qualify

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

I wonder if that's for nurses who can prescribe? If not, I'm amazed. Sounds pretty cool and at the same time would decrease the overall supply of mental health nurses as well =/

[@cubanita365]

How do I break into this field while in school? I don't currently have a degree, but I do want to go to school for this. I want to work primarily with children and adolescents. The only experience I have is working as an RBT/Behavior Therapist with special needs kids/teens for 2 years. I've been looking around to see how I can work in something related to this field, even part time, so I can get my foot in the door while getting back into school. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

Sounds like you just need to find an opportunity--mental health is always desperate for people, esp. those who care

[@cntolber]

Hi! I’m a psych nurse and before I graduated I worked as a tech (patient care assistant) in the psych unit. You could try that!

[@MrTarek]

How much different between psych nurse in the states and Canada,can’t find a video about what sort of duties you’ll have as psych nurse in Canada,will appreciate any extra info.

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

unfortunately I have no experience w/ Canadian nursing/Canadian psych wards :(

[@JCLLifestyle]

What about the PMHN Exam how do u prepare for that? Literally no info online

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

I didn't even know this existed lol. . .(I'm looking over it and wondering if I could pass it. . .I almost want to take it just to see). there is a handbook here: www.nursingworld.org/~4ac882/globalassets/certification/renewals/GeneralTestingandRenewalHandbook if I decide to take it I'll def make a video about it--thx for the topic idea JCL :)

[@JCLLifestyle]

@@A_Psych_Nurse thanks so u can work in psych without okay wow lol thought u needed it

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

@@JCLLifestyle yeah you don't need it but I'm sure it would shine on your resume!

[@sm16875]

Is there cnas on the unit to help the patients get changed or dressed? Or is the nurse responsible for everything

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

Depends on the unit. In my experience it's mostly on the nurses--in the inpatient facility I'm at now though our mental health techs do a lot--it's nice!

[@supernightslash]

About to take my NCLEX tomorrow and I am so pumped and scared at the same time for psych nursing once I get my license. I have two questions. I'm NOT a strong guy, and I'm honestly scared about how to remember all the antipsychotic/depression/ADHD meds. Would this be a good start as a new grad nurse? What is your method for remembering meds and their contraindications?

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

If it's any consolation--I knew maybe one or two psych meds before I took the NCLEX and I passed in 75 questions :). I started out in psych after graduation and if you enjoyed your clinical rotation, I'd recommend it. What made you mention you aren't a strong guy btw, sorry if I'm missing something here. as far as remembering meds, since I only work in psych and since the meds are rarely contraindicated, and since there's really only a handful of psych meds you'll encounter, you end up learning them fairly quickly, within the first 3 months I'd say. congrats on getting thru the worst part: NURSING SCHOOL!

[@supernightslash]

@A Psych Nurse Thank you so much for the response! I apologize for the confusion in my comment as well, I was referring to the potentially combative patients that will be seen. I know that there's security along with potentially other nurses/assistants as well, but I'm not physically fit at all. Would that be a potential issue?

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

@@supernightslash Yes and no. (And what's preventing you from being physically fit?! :) :) :)). I've seen old and out of shape men and women who were obese work in psych. But personally, I feel MUCH safer knowing I can hold my own if needed. There are A LOT of people working psych who cannot however, so it's not the end of the world, and treating pt.s w/ respect and using lots of deescalation goes a LOOOONG way. Hope this helps brother.

[@supernightslash]

@@A_Psych_Nurse It does a ton, thank you so much!

[@supernightslash]

@A Psych Nurse Heya! Just wanted to thank you more formally for your guidance! I passed my NCLEX and immediately went for an impatient psych position at Bellvue! Thank you so much for the encouragement!

[@christianvalle5134]

As a psych nurse, I wouldn't say that it's "easy." Yes, it's a different field of nursing with different tasks compared to doing traditional bedside, but there are definitely many days that are not easy and are physically and emotionally draining.

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

absolutely! With you a 100%. I suppose I probably meant from the perspective of those who might be use to bed-side nursing and using a lot of those kind of technical skills.

[@nasj7704]

What is the difference between mental health nurse who works in clinic whereas working in the psych unit ?

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

hmm. . .I'd say in the clinic you're going to see what you'd see in a psych unit, plus dual-diagnosis/substance abuse. . .A LOT. So clinic = psychosis + substance abuse. I mean the reality is on the psych unit it's a VERY controlled and structured environment, whereas when you start working in the clinic you to get experience a range of patient presentations, both physical and mental, you otherwise wouldn't see on a psych unit b/c the patient doesn't have the freedom she does on the outs. e.g. . . .most recently we had a patient w/ first and second degree burns from frostbite b/c he had no where to sleep/wasn't resourceful enough to find a warm place to sleep. So in the clinic you've got all these life stressors that really play a role whereas on the unit they have guaranteed 3 meals/day, water, shelter, etc.

[@mewwygirl5922]

Can I be a psych RN with just an ADN?

[@amiachannel5901]

Yes, I know two ADN RN nurse that I am orienting with now. One is an experience nurse and the other is a new grad.

[@gudgurlgonebadd]

What psych meds cause constipation?

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

I'd say a safer question is: which don't :). Almost all of them do, esp. the antipsychotics

[@YogaBible]

Do the RNs have to shower patients or is that done by a CNA. My question comes from a bad experience as a CNA leading to back problems

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

I've never seen CNAs or nurses shower patients in psychiatric setting (excluding geriatrics of course). The most I've done is coach catatonic patients on what to do :)

[@YogaBible]

@@A_Psych_Nurse thank you!

[@barbaramatthews4735]

My experience with psych as both a health care tech and later as a patient is that most psych patients are amblitory and are able to provide self care. I noted that in many hospitals that psych patients needing more traditional nursing care are sent to a med surge or a specialty medical ward. If they are on a medical ward, they are given a sitter to observe them. I worked in health care for 18 years until I became disabled. I have worked with a few psych patients along the way, mostly off the psych ward. If they have a lot of medical needs, they usually that is treated first, depending on severity. Most psych wards aren't set up for complex physical needs. They can handle basic stuff. I am a Navy veteran and was a Corpsman. (Like a mefic) I had a hard time adjusting when I got out of the Navy and was getting burned out working in health care. As a technician, I only went so far, yet I was a jack of all trades and master of none. I think part of the burn out was being pulled in many directions. I had unresolved depression, and anxiety. I didn't know it then but I also have PTSD. My advice to any health care provider no matter what your occupation is take time for self care. Use your vacation days. Make sure to be kind to yourself. I never thought I'd become a psych patient myself.

[@deedle6073]

We mix meds in apple sauce for those who cheek or refuse pills.

[@Winner1-c2u]

Those nurse preceptors for students during their psychiatric clinical, the below information has been sent out to most student nurse sites I could find. I wanted you to have the information as well so it does not come as a surprise if this issue is raised, as I hope it will be by some of them. Nursing students, hello. I loved my career in trauma nursing for 25 years. I hope you too, will get much satisfaction in caring for your patients, for advocating for them, even if it is unpopular. It will take courage to stand up for your vulnerable patients when going against an entrenched system at times, where profits outweigh harm to a patient. I lost my career after consenting to the mental health procedure ECT/ Electroshock. I sustained repeated acquired traumatic brain injuries that result from this practice. I was too drugged, to the point I settled a psychiatric medical malpractice suit, when I was consented. I could not draw on my expertise given this. You will be doing a psychiatric clinical. You may witness the procedure called ECT. There has never been any testing by the FDA for safety or effectiveness. Based on my experience around ECT as a patient and a former trauma nurse I created a website called ectjustice.net that I hope you will check out. My initial site ectjustice.com is still active but is now owned by the firms involved in a suit around ECT. There is another site called Mad in America and if you plug in electroshock in the search bar it will pull up many great articles. When you see the truth of this practice my hope is you will have discussions, write papers, question this practice perhaps as a clinical group, because who wants to be singled out when a student? Your care plans may include alternatives to ECT or referrals into traumatic brain injury programs as part of your discharge planning. Your professors, have been indoctrinated to accept this practice for the most part, and may question your plan of care. You can let your professor have your known resources and point out that the CA courts have at a minimum, proved brain injury outcomes at a minimum in a suit that is ongoing. Much success to you all. ADVOCATE. My gratitude.

[@LuvNyasha]

wait why would they tell you to keep your back to the wall? that's the easiest way to get cornered in. I'm asking as a Mental Health Tech currently i'm nursing school.

[@A_Psych_Nurse]

it's more of to make sure no one gets behind you. So as you're walking down the hall way if a patient is walking behind you you might turn your back to the wall while greeting them just so you know they know you see them :)

[@110311DONTWANTCHANNE]

in my area, you abuse the patients, leave them sitting in urine and feces, deny care for physical health, assault the patient...do NOTHING when the patient is there because they are a vulnerable adult who is being abused by the care takers and is distressed and hopeless because of the abuse....and just send him back to that.....he might be dead, but oh. well, disabled lives don't matter....yes I reported it to the appropriate authorities but as I am just a strange on the internet where he was posting pleas for help...i have no right to any info...haven't heard from him in a week (his last post was after they abused him in the hospital and released him).....forced a diabetic to stay on the bed for 8 hours with no food or water and just yelled at him for being an abuse victim.

[@user-eh1vp3ev3c]

These people don't care. They're brainwashed into becoming part of the problem, or think they can change a broken system from within. Many contribute to suffering toward sane people who were offered no control over their lives. Often for the mere action of deciding they'd had enough of their life, yet being forced to continue living in the worst imaginable scenario. I hope some day we can learn to respect life/death autonomy in the same way that we respect a woman's right to bodily autonomy during pregnancy. Until such a time, I find it very difficult to empathize with people who are unwilling to admit their contribution to patient trauma. It feels like people who have taken an oath to do no harm have little right to complain, when infringing on the autonomy of others leads to their own personal injury.

[@goldenblooms6672]

Just a suggestion: since you’re a psyc nurse and see many patients who are not always in their right mind, it’s better to not film a video with a little kid in it. Just to avoid your patients looking up your personal profiles and avoid anyone potentially harming your child. I know not all patients are like that but just for child’s safety

[@persephonesflowers]

Save hours of your life, to quickly get meds out of the packaging, poke the back of the med’s blister pack with a pen.