ADN + BA Psych = Good Combo?

[xEdgexRNx]

Hi!

I have my ADN and need to get a bachelors (where I live, you can't get a job ANYWHERE in any field without some kind of BA degree). I've always been interested in psychology, so would my ADN + BA in psych be a good combo? What would this combo allow me to do in terms of jobs?

I'm not sure if a BSN is right for me... I've been laid off several times in the last couple of years due to the economy and change in health care model (it it required to have a BSN for most RN jobs here). Plus, at least where I live, RNs don't have much patient-contact anymore, for most of the work is delegated to techs. The whole reason I went into nursing was to care for the needs of others... not to have others do that aspect!

So, is a BA in psych a good idea? What it it enable me to do? Would this be a good move if I wanted to do hospice nursing or public health? What exactly does a psych nurse do (I would love to run groups, counsel, etc... I would not like to just dispense meds and chart, which is what the RNs at the hospital I did my psych clinicals did).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Jules A, MSN]

In my experience a BA in psych isn't worth much. Many of my techs have that and are making $12 an hour while going for their Masters. Frankly nursing is pretty nursing oriented so I would go for my BSN if you are looking to advance in nursing. FWIW I have never heard of anyone with a ADN getting fired or laid off due to the push for a BSN and I work at a magnet facility.

[chloecatrn]

If you want to care for others, you need to get a BSN. You don't say what kind of a facility you were working in, but perhaps it was just their care model that pushed patient care to the aides. Have you considered looking at other types of hospitals/LTCs/LTACHs?

A BA in psych doesn't really accomplish anything. At the psych facility where I live, as Jules said, the folks with the BA in psych were the ones running the "movie watching" group that made $12 an hour. If you want to run actual therapy groups, you would need at least an MA, if not an PhD. in Psych, and to be an actual psychologist. In my experience, most psych nurses, while they do some limited one on one counseling, do mostly medication management.

[xEdgexRNx]

I saw that a school in my area has a BA in Health Sciences with a Community health Education track. Would this enable me to do more of the teaching-side of health care? Would I need an MPH or another degree?

[jjjoy, LPN]

It sounds like you're not really interested in acute care; that you're more interested in mental health or public health, is that right?

You mention jobs that require BSNs. Do those jobs interest you? If they did, I'd think getting a BSN would be a no-brainer, so I'm wondering what type of work you might be thinking of.

For now, a bachelor's (or master's) specificially in nursing is what's required for many nursing positions. If it's not a nursing position, then other bachelor's degrees may suffice. However being non-nursing positions, RN licensure most certainly isn't required either. A nursing background could be an advantage in obtaining certain non-nursing jobs. Those non-nursing jobs may or may not pay as well as nursing jobs.

[xEdgexRNx]

jjjoy:

I do not like acute care. I would love to work in public health, especially with a focus on teaching. Mental health is also of interest, but not as much as teaching about nutrition, exercise, and prevention. What types of jobs encompass these qualities?

[jjjoy, LPN]

Have you looked up what kind of positions there are through county or state health services? You might also want to check out other non-profit community health programs as well. Read the job descriptions, call and ask questions, try to find out average pay, what qualifications are preferred/required, etc.

The public health department where I live employs licensed nurses in it's community clinics (immunizations, well-baby, etc) and as public health nurses (BSN required in my state). I've heard it's a long application process and now I imagine there may be hiring freezes. The county pays okay where I live (though less than acute care) so if the job is decent, people keep them forever.

Maybe take a personal field trip to the local community health department and ask lots of questions! I really had little awareness of community health resources prior to the community health rotation in my BSN program.

[xEdgexRNx]

What are some community health programs you suggest I check in to? This field is foreign to me!

Thanks so much!