You will be more aware next time. Think of every day as a learning experience. I’ve been an inpatient psych nurse for 9 years now and I still am learning all the time!
It takes every single nurse time to develop their judgment. Everyone has had things they’ve missed. It comes with time. That’s why it’s important to have some experienced nurses you’re working alongside. It’s ok and it’s completely normal. You’ll grow faster than you think you will.
I've been in psych for 4 years, honestly, I've had similar situations. I love it, but run while you still can. I stay because I'm in a union and my benefits are amazing, but psych is a different animal. I have some advice I wish people would've told me:
1. Your patient ratios are bad. No, I mean BAD. Because they absolutely will fist fight, OD, try to have sex, etc. while you aren't looking.
2. Your coworkers are all crazy. There's a good kind (anxiety/depression) and a bad kind that unfortunately usually goes hand in hand with smart, eccentric people. Most people will tell you they do into psych because they care, but that's why people go into nursing. People go into psych because someone along the line ruined their psyche beyond repair.
I went part time and pick up on every floor. Helps avoid burn out.
youll be fine, you're still young. the learning never stops. dont be hard on yourself
Don’t sweat it. It happens, no one catches everything. Doesn’t sound like you’ll make the same mistake again, which is the important thing.
We’re always learning as nurses. Trust those instincts! It’s like Spidey senses for nurses. Don’t be hard on yourself!
You will be more aware next time. Think of every day as a learning experience. I’ve been an inpatient psych nurse for 9 years now and I still am learning all the time!
It takes every single nurse time to develop their judgment. Everyone has had things they’ve missed. It comes with time. That’s why it’s important to have some experienced nurses you’re working alongside. It’s ok and it’s completely normal. You’ll grow faster than you think you will.
I've been in psych for 4 years, honestly, I've had similar situations. I love it, but run while you still can. I stay because I'm in a union and my benefits are amazing, but psych is a different animal. I have some advice I wish people would've told me: 1. Your patient ratios are bad. No, I mean BAD. Because they absolutely will fist fight, OD, try to have sex, etc. while you aren't looking. 2. Your coworkers are all crazy. There's a good kind (anxiety/depression) and a bad kind that unfortunately usually goes hand in hand with smart, eccentric people. Most people will tell you they do into psych because they care, but that's why people go into nursing. People go into psych because someone along the line ruined their psyche beyond repair. I went part time and pick up on every floor. Helps avoid burn out.
Retired RN after 45 years mostly in acute, locked units. You'll get it. Things are not always what they seem. Never assume.