Mental Health Nursing

Posts: 2 · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:44 am

Hello, all:
I am writing an in-depth paper re: the stigma associated with consumers of mental health care. As an off-shoot to this, I am also exploring the perception that other nurses seem to view mental health nurses as "not real nurses". I would appreciate any stories or opinions you all might have, and if I could use same (with your permission, of course). Thanks.
suprnurs40

Posts: 223 · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 223

Quote:

other nurses seem to view mental health nurses as "not real nurses"

That would only come from nurses who work on units where performing certain tasks, like inserting IVs, or working with certain types of monitors, or working in certain specialty areas like the ER, OR or ICU is how a nurse is judged. Some of the nurses in these units can be very competitive and task oriented, harsh, direct, assertive (even aggressive and mean) and judgemental, but that does not necessarily make them better nurses. These are also high stress areas, and the demands on nurses are great, both mentally and physically. However, IMHO, no nurse can really be effective with patients, families, physicians and managers unless they learn to utilize the people skills that all good psych nurses possess.

Posts: 13 · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Illinois

I worked in Mental Health for a number of years and when I decided that I needed a more well rounded experience I transferred to the ER. What a reception I received there. No one in the ER thought I would last 6 months. They all thought psych nurses couldn't handle the pressure of a trauma or a cardiac emergency. Well I proved them wrong and ran the night shift of that small ER for 7 years before I moved on to supervison and management. I became a TNS, Trauma Nurse Specialist as well as CCN. I discovered I was very good in the ER and never went back to Psych. I don't regret it. I am now working in Occupational Health and moving into Insustrial Safety. New challenges. I am not giving up my nursing license though, I am still keeping my hand in it. Worked to hard for that license to give it up. Very Happy