Breaking into Mental Health

Hi, I'm going to be a new grad in May. I have a Criminal Justice Degree, Surgical Tech. and LPN degree. I will graduate in May with my RN. I did my clinical rotation for Mental Health this week and I fell in love with it. The nurses on the Mental Health Floor told me I would fit in perfectly due to the fact I flow well with the patients and have great interviewing skills. The problem is they rarely have openings and they are unwilling to hire nursing students as techs. because they don't like to go around their schedules. There are several facilities an hour away and they will hire students as techs. Is it worth an hour drive one-way to get some experience so I can get hired closer to home? Most the nurses I talked to at my local hospital who have previously worked at these facilities said they loved working there and the pay was great, just too long of a drive. My husband and friends say it's a waste of my time and that I should just do OR nursing due to better hours and pay. I hated the way I was treated by surgeons as a Surgical Tech. and don't want to go back. I have really found my calling and I will do anything to get my foot in the door. If anyone has any advice I'm open to suggestions.