Psychiatric Nursing

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

two clinicians discussing psychiatric nursingPsychiatric 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.

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The Med Surg Nurse

The Med Surg Nurse: An Unsung Healthcare Hero

The Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses (AMSN) states that medical surgical nursing “is the single largest nursing specialty in the United States and beyond.” In fact, they estimate that of the 3.1M nurses currently practicing medicine, 650,000 work in the medical surgical field. However, many healthcare professionals view medical surgical nursing as nothing more than a pit stop for new nurses, a place where they acquire the skills needed to advance to higher acuity fields.

In this blog post, we explore why medical surgical nursing is more than just a stepping-stone where “green” nurses hone their knowledge and skills. We examine the critical role that these clinicians play in our healthcare system. We also explain why this specialty is the right choice for every nurse regardless of where they are in their career journey.

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Psychiatric Nursing: All Your Questions Answered

Unlike physical ailments which generally have an obvious cause and treatment plan, mental illness can be harder to diagnose and treat. Furthermore, while attitudes are changing, there is still a stigma associated with seeking therapy or treatment. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the critical role a psychiatric nurse plays in mental health settings. We’ll explore where psychiatric nurses work, what types of conditions they treat and much more. Keep reading to learn more about this in demand field.

What is a psychiatric nurse?

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.

Due to the complex nature of their patients’ condition(s), psych nurses work as part of a behavioral health team. Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists are just a few of the specialties that behavioral health nurses frequently interact with.

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Considering Home Health Nursing?

What You Should Know Before Applying

After gaining one to two years of work experience on a medical-surgical floor, the career opportunities that are available to a nurse become virtually limitless. While some clinicians will continue their employment journey in a traditional healthcare setting, others will choose to purse a career in a non-traditional work environment. Home health nursing is a non-traditional employment option that provides clinicians with independence and autonomy. Keep reading to find out what you can expect from a career as a home health nurse.

What is a home health nurse?

home health nurse attending to a elderly patient's needsA 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.

Depending upon their experience and training, a home health nurse may provide other specialized services (i.e. pain management, wound care, hospice care). Home care nurses always work under the direction of the patient’s physician and may be responsible for managing/directing other members of the patient’s care team (i.e. nursing assistants or non-medical home care providers).

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Respiratory Therapy

Everything You Need to Know

Anyone that has ever researched healthcare career options knows that there are multiple paths that can be pursued. While the demand for clinicians of all kinds continues to grow year-over-year, the respiratory therapy field is projected to grow the fastest over the next ten years (more on that later). So, what can you expect from a career as a respiratory therapist? Keep reading to find out more about this rewarding career path and to discover if respiratory therapy is the right field for you.

What is a respiratory therapist?

clinician administering respiratory therapySimply 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).

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Spotlight: Long-Term Acute Care Nursing

Within the healthcare industry, there is a growing demand for nurses that are qualified to work in long-term acute care (LTAC) settings. However, misconceptions about LTAC patients and the work environment prevents many nurses from pursuing these career advancing positions. Continue reading to find out more about LTAC facilities and why a job there might be the right career choice for you.

What is a long-term acute care facility?

a long-term acute care nurseA 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.

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A Day in the Life of a Social Worker

Interview with Jennifer Neer

Within the social work field, there are many different sub-specialists that are committed to working with a specific demographic or issue. Jennifer Neer, licensed social worker at Winnebago Mental Health Institute, is a prime example of one of these specialists. In her work as a psychiatric social worker, Jennifer plays a critical role in the patient’s journey to continued wellness. She secures resources and additional treatment that will help the patient succeed in post-treatment life.

Keep reading to find out more about Jennifer’s story and this fascinating field of work.


1. What initially attracted you to a career as a social worker?

Jennifer Neer Social WorkerI 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. Continue reading

Consider a Healthcare Job in Long Term Care

Consider a Healthcare Job in Long-Term Care

Consider-Healthcare-Job-Long-Term-Care-Premier-Medical-Staffing-Services-ImageAre 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.

There are a variety of opportunities for long-term care healthcare jobs in Wisconsin and nationwide! We’ll work with you to discover your position, benefits, and scheduling needs then we take that information to medical employers to find the best fit for you. All at no cost to you. Now is a great time to consider all your reasons to have a healthcare job in long-term care with Premier Medical Staffing Services.

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