7 Things You Should Know
Psychiatric nursing jobs are among the most in-demand jobs within the healthcare industry. However, preconceived notions often prevent many clinicians from applying for these rewarding positions. Find out the seven things you should know about psychiatric nursing before passing it over for a different nursing specialty.
1. What Psychiatric Nursing Entails
Psychiatric nursing, also known as mental health nursing, is a specialized healthcare field that involves caring for the psychological and physiological needs of patients with mental health conditions or behavioral problems. Consequently, psychiatric nurses are responsible for assessing their patient’s mental health, developing a care plan, implementing that care plan and evaluating its effectiveness over time.
A psychiatric nurse, also known as a behavioral health nurse or a mental health nurse, works with patients that are receiving treatment for a variety of mental illnesses. Since mental illness can occur at any point in life, patients range in age from children to the elderly. In addition to treating psychiatric disorders, behavioral health nurses also help patients address the stigma associated with their mental health issue(s). It is a career path that blends psychology, psychiatry and nursing.
A home health nurse, also known as a home care nurse, provides one-on-one care in a patient’s home. Most of the time, the patients that a home care nurse treats have been discharged from a hospital or other medical care setting. Home health nurses are primarily responsible for ensuring a patient’s continued recovery and for monitoring for any potential complications that would result in readmittance to a healthcare facility.
Simply put, a respiratory therapist is a certified medical professional that works with patients of all ages that are suffering from sudden or chronic breathing problems. Due to the nature of their work, respiratory therapists closely collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive a correct diagnosis, an effective treatment plan and an appropriate level of care. In addition to knowing/understanding human anatomy and physiology, respiratory therapists must have a broad knowledge of the pathophysiology of the cardiopulmonary systems (i.e. diseased or injured cardiovascular organs).
A long-term acute care facility is specifically designed for patients with complex medical conditions that require the ongoing support of an interdisciplinary team. While patients in a LTAC unit no longer need extensive diagnostic procedures or the level of care available in an intensive care unit (ICU), the severity of their condition(s) makes them inappropriate for a rehabilitation center, skilled nursing facility or home healthcare service.
I would have to say that I came to the conclusion that a career in social work was right for me after I had a progression of jobs working with people. Before I got my social work license, I had the opportunity to work with autistic children in my school district and with survivors of domestic violence. It was from these experiences that I realized I had a passion for working with people. However, I didn’t immediately make a career transition after having these jobs. Around 2012, I was working in the insurance industry and there was a reduction in force at my company. I was left without at job. At the same time, there were personal circumstances that led me to reevaluate my life. It was then that I decided I wanted to purse a license in social work. 
Are you ready to find a more rewarding career in healthcare? Consider bringing your nursing skills to a long-term care environment that will affect the patients and other nurses in a positive way? They will benefit from your experience, patience, ideas, and mentorship. As a contract nurse, you can provide a new set of skills and experiences in a long-term care facility which can improve the facility’s practices and patient care.
