Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with psychiatric patients?
Surely, it’s not like many movies and television shows have portrayed. Not even close.
To get more information about becoming a psychiatric nurse, we interviewed Jessica Martinez, RN, a Behavioral Health Registered Nurse working on CareRev’s platform at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey.
What follows is our interview, edited for length and clarity.
Jessica Martinez, RN, is a Behavioral Health Registered Nurse at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey
How did you get interested in working as a psychiatric nurse? What drew you to it? How long have you been doing it?
My mentor from nursing school was a psychiatric nurse instructor, and she told me she thought I should try it. She helped me get my first job.
I fell in love with it after working as a psychiatric nurse. That was in 2019, and I still really love this area of medicine.
Briefly explain what you do as a psychiatric nurse. What types of patients do you serve—what ages and how are they approved to be in the program? What do you provide for them?
As a psychiatric nurse, I assist patients from ages five to 105 with a mental health diagnosis who have been admitted to the hospital.
I ensure patients and staff stay safe, and a big part of the job is administering medications so patients can return to their daily lives. I work with patients to help reduce the stigma of their mental health challenges and help them understand it is a chronic condition that can be treated.
Some of my patients–once they start their medication and begin to feel better–think they don’t need their meds anymore. As a result, I work with patients in a group therapy setting to help them understand they have a diagnosis and that the best way to deal with it is to follow the doctor’s orders.
Did you need to get additional education to become a psychiatric nurse?
I earned an associate degree in 2018 and a bachelor’s degree in 2022, and I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree.
You can do this job with an associate degree, but a bachelor’s is preferred.
What do you like most about working in your job?
My favorite part is seeing patients get better and feel more like themselves. I work with patients to help them develop new routines for improved health and wellness. When a patient is ready to go home, that is the best feeling in the world.
I work in the hospital through CareRev, a technology platform that allows me to maintain my schedule based on what is going on in my life. I can build my work schedule around my life, not the other way around. This has helped balance my work and personal lives, pays well enough for me to travel, and allows me time to schedule a break when needed.
What are your biggest challenges?
Sometimes, patients are frustrated, but we work hard to ensure everyone navigates to a healthy outcome.
What are your greatest rewards in your work?
The biggest reward is working directly with patients and knowing that every day is different. I’m constantly learning and growing in my role.
Is there anything else that is important for our readers to know?
Nursing has changed a lot. I work through CareRev’s platform, where I work side-by-side with hospital professionals daily. However, I have the flexibility to control my schedule so I can pursue further education, accommodate my family’s needs, and pick up shifts close to home.
We need more nurses going into psychiatry. It’s a field that has changed so much, and so has society’s understanding of mental health challenges.
These patients need compassionate healthcare professionals now more than ever.
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