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Psych nursing to start out?

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May 21, 2009 06:25 PM

Psych nursing to start out?

by nursejackie86

Hi there!

I'm getting ready to graduate pretty soon with my RN license and I've done a lot of clinical rotations so I've got a pretty good idea of what I want to do and what I don't want to do. I know it's recommended by so many nurses to do a couple years of med-surg but I'm not doing it, at least not to start out. Anyways, I really liked my psych rotation and am really considering going into psych nursing after school. I was wondering if there are any nurses out there who went straight into psych after school or anyone who has a recommendation for a place to start out other than med-surg before I go into psych in a couple years maybe? Thanks!

Jackie

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6 Comments

from elkpark

Old

May 21, 2009, 08:13 PM

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Re: Psych nursing to start out?

Welcome to allnurses!

There are several older threads here about this same question. You could browse the Psych Nursing forum (under the Specialty tab) to find them if you are interested in reading what members have already discussed about this.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

from nursejackie86

Old

May 22, 2009, 12:49 AM

Default

Re: Psych nursing to start out?

Oops! Sorry.. I guess I'm new to this site and hadn't browsed around enough! Thanks for the help though. I will look under that tab.

from elkpark

Old

May 22, 2009, 10:15 AM

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Re: Psych nursing to start out?

No need to apologize -- I just wanted to make you aware that there is info already here that you can review. It takes a while to find your way around here!

Old

Jul 01, 2009, 11:55 AM

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Re: Psych nursing to start out?

Following the advice of instructors and others, I spent some time working med-surg before I switched into psych nursing. I personally found that my med-surg year gave me experience unrelated to and irrelevant to psych nursing. If you want to work in psych, get a job in psych; if you want to work in med-surg, get a job in med-surg. If you are at all inclined to school, considering getting an MSN degree in psych mental health nursing, either as an NP or CNS. Graduate school in nursing is not at all hard -- it is more of a gigantic endurance race!!!!

1 Reader Gave Kudos

Old

Jul 03, 2009, 01:48 AM

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Re: Psych nursing to start out?

I am currently a Psych nurse. I really didn't want to start out there but it pretty much was the only job I could find after school and that was also 6 months after I graduated. It's not I don't like Psych nursing I've found not to be my cup of tea. I've been at my job for almost 3 years now and afraid I starting to feel like I"m stuck especially with the job market the way it is and it makes me feel I will be there even longer. There are other aspects as to why I'm not so happy there that also don't help but if you feel it's your true calling, go for it. Do what you love not what people tell you you should do.

Old

Jul 29, 2009, 11:56 PM

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Re: Psych nursing to start out?

I am currently a new grad and my first job is in Psych. I work on the Ped's floor, so it was kinda what I wanted and Psych is the bonus

I like the job and it helps when you have great co-workers to work with. It's really up to you where you want to start your career. If you feel Psych is not your cup of tea, you can also do something else. I always said when I was in school that I didn't want to do Psych, but it's pretty good so far.

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