Moving out of psych to another field

Nurses Job Hunt

Published

Hello, all. I have been working at my job for a little over a year, and I've been an RN for about 1.5 years (got my BSN in 2012). As you may have guessed already, I'm a psych nurse. I don't find myself very pleased with my work, especially because I strongly dislike my work environment and hospital.

The trouble I am having is finding a job not in psych. I find myself not even applying to many jobs because I don't meet the requirements for experience. This is especially true for peri-operative jobs, which I am really hoping to find.

Has anyone made this transition? If so, what was your experience like? If not, Does anyone have any advice in getting the ball rolling?

Thanks in advance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

So, what have you done to prepare yourself and be marketable to other clinical areas?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mental illness will continue to be a stigma for years until there is a sea change of thought in this country. And psych nurses, and other nurses (LTC, prisons, and many other specialties) who work in 'those places', will be treated as second class citizens as well. If you haven't seen the Anderson Cooper show tonight, with Creigh Deeds, I think you'll appreciate the new movement forward to change the stereotype. I honestly don't understand why hospital nursing is considered the highest standard, the epitome of nursing- after all, with the revolving door of patients through a normal/brief hospital stay- how much time does a nurse even spend with a patient? I just don't get the hype.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not a whole hell of a lot yet. I'm getting my ACLS soon and am getting a professional to rework my resume. And that's why I'm here. I'm kind of at a loss to make myself more 'marketable.' I find myself wondering if I would have been more so had I just waited greater than 6 months to find a different job than this one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

It depends a lot on your location. Some cities/states are more competitive than others. If you are able to relocate - try less desire able/ rural areas as a place to get your foot in the door.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment