Externs will receive one-on-one experience, paired with psychiatric nurses, gaining real-world exposure to mental health care at Pine Rest’s inpatient psychiatric unit.
“Even if you're not a psych nurse working at a psych hospital you still have to be a psych nurse because all patients are going through some type of psychiatric symptoms.”
Erin Micale-Sexton, Director of Nursing, Adult Inpatient Services, hopes to retain students in the specialty but says the skills learned will help all patients.
“Whether it's anxiety about test results they're waiting for or depression because they've just been diagnosed with a terminal illness or maybe having difficulties communicating
so everyone really should have strong psychiatric nursing skills.”
The 14-week Nurse Extern Program is designed to give nursing students an immersive learning experience exploring the high-demand psychiatric nursing field.
They’ll earn $20 an hour while strengthening their overall clinical skills.
“They may also have the ability to see different therapeutic treatments, like electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, maybe have some opportunities to work in our retreat residential clinic, helping to care for individuals going through substance use withdrawal.”
Applications are now open for the nurse extern program, with the first group scheduled to start in May.
For more information or to apply, visit pinerest.org/nurse-extern.
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