Psych nursing vs. med-surg nursing?

[geena]

My question is... How can I Compare Psych nursing to regular med-surg nursing. How would i be able to use my abilities learned from psych (psych ward) to a med- surg floor> In other words how can it help me dealing with the patients on a regular floor or will it? thx for any input. ge

[nursinghumor]

You're talking about two entirely different and highly specialized types of nursing.

You'd be at slight advantage on a med/surg floor dealing with the psychological issues your patients have, but you'd be at a major disadvantage in dealing with the medical isssues and dealing with the respiratory, gi, gu, post-op and other surgical issues that you don't usually encounter in a Psych ward.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com

[geena]

thanks, i'm just torn between the two. I know I'll use my nursing abilities more on the med surg vs. psych. But during my rotations psych was really interesting (peds and Adult psych). I'm able to deal/cope with the patients dealing with the psychological problems. Some nurses can't deal with psych and some do. I'm just stuck. Thx for your input. Geena

[2059]

Hi, I have been working med/surg 3 years, starting in psych next month. It seemed to me I never had time to talk to patients in med/surg. I agree that med surg good experience.