New Grad

[Tesfanurse]

There is a psychiatric hospital in my area. As a new grad, I was only applying to medical-surgical jobs. I want to also try psychiatry jobs. While I was a student, I did training in psychiatry for over a month. The unit that I want to apply for is offering as needed opportunity. I am very much interested. The position did not ask for experience so as a new grad do I assume I qualify?

[lucni01]

Well, that is all up to the company. If there are no experience qualifications, then yes. Does that mean you will get the job? It is quite possible. However, this depends on how many people are applying for the job and how your interview goes. If you show a genuine interest in the area and have plenty of patience, then go ahead and apply for it! Psychiatric nursing is great, and I started working there right out of University. It's something that you can take with you on any floor you work on. Plus, it will get your foot in the door and if a medical-surgical position comes up, you can apply for that if you suddenly feel psych nursing isn't for you. Good luck!

[SheriffLauren]

I went into psych as a new grad. I think generally no med/surg is required, it wasn't at my hospital. In that respect you will qualify, but they do hire allot based on personality and on the way you communicate with the interviewer, because the majority of psych nursing is have excellent communication skills and a receptive personality with your patients. So i think thats why they dont have as many requirements in their job postings, they don't want just learned skills. I think you stand a decent chance.