Advice for a student?

[britkneedb]

Long story short, I discovered psych nursing while applying to MSW programs and am now going down the long road of becoming a psych NP. I am finishing up my prereqs and hope to start an ADN program in January (ADN first out of convenience and various other reasons).

I am currently volunteering as a crisis counselor and talk a lot via phone to people with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, so I'm trying to gain what experience I can. My question is, does anyone have any advice of paths I should take, things you wish you had done differently, or things I should do in school to help me on this path?

I really appreciate any responses! I don't know any psych nurses so I thought I would ask the experts .

[Jules A, MSN]

Welcome to our group. As soon as you get your ADN I would get a job on an inpatient acute psychiatric unit, preferrably an inner city teaching hospital type atmosphere, for what will be a broad range of psychiatric experiences that will serve you well as you continue with your NP education. Good luck!