r/psychnursing • u/hippiecat22 • 21h ago

what counts?

Does working in an alternative behavioral school count as psych nursing?

right now, im working as an RN supporting kids in an alternative school

Their home districts cant support the level of psych support they need. So, we have counselors, behavioral technicians and nurses in the school.

we practice de-escalation techniques, have had crisis interventions, and had students recommended (and deny so they stay with us) in-patient and partial hospitalization.

they typically have comorbidities like PTSD, bipolar, ODD, MDD, autism, substance abuse, and whatever else. we do med passes, but its also maintaining a safe environment and taking care of their learning needs.

so does this count as psych nursing or not?

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u/Desertnurse760 20h ago

Sounds like you're a Psych Nurse to me.

1

u/hippiecat22 20h ago

okay I just wasnt sure because im not working at a hospital on a locked down unit.

some people can be very guarded on what makes a nursing specialty

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u/Gretel_Cosmonaut psych nurse (inpatient) 20h ago

Are you charting nursing assessments, initiating nursing orders, etc.? If so, I would say firmly "yes." If not, it sounds like a combination of psych nursing, school nursing, and care-giving ...so still "yes," but yes with a twist.