Again I am confused and need help!

TazziRN, RN · Feb 24, 2007

A psych nurse works in psych, like an ER nurse works in ER, etc.

Yes, you can specialize in pedi psych.

RN007 · Feb 24, 2007

Hi, Brittany,

Congratulations on your excellent grades. Keep up the good work!

This will get you started in understanding psychiatric nursing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychiatric_nursing

You might Google "psychiatric nursing" to read more about it. It's basically helping people with mental illness, and there are many, many of those--depression, bipolar disorder, substance addiction, dementia in the elder population, etc.

Getting a degree in psychology and getting a degree in nursing are two different things. Many people get undergraduate degrees in psychology as a stepping stone toward a graduate degree in psychology to become counselors or social workers. Nurses have degrees in nursing. They may have degrees in other fields (like me), but still have to have nursing degrees to practice nursing (unless you train to work as an LPN).

As fields, psychiatry and psychology basically are different, too. You might want to research those differences. I won't get into it here because I'd have to write volumes.

I'm a student nurse getting ready to graduate in May, but I'm older--old enough to be your grandmother, I guess.

I hope you'll get more info off your post. If not, send me a private message and I'll gladly answer any questions you have. I'm inquisitive, too, because I like to have as much information as I can find about something before I get involved in it!

Linda

sandlewood_nurse · Feb 25, 2007

Hi Brittany,

So you are interested in the Mental Health Field.

Nurses can specialize in psychiatry. They can work in hospitals (psychiatric wards), detox/addictions clinics, and I'm sure other places but can't think of any right now. They are nurses who help treat patients who have mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder etc.

Pediatric RNs work with kids. I know there are units and centers for kids, with behavioural and mental health issues. I spent two days during my psych rotation in one of these units. I really enjoyed it, it was very interesting. Most of the kids had ADD, and behavioral issues as I just mentioned. That is something you might want to look into. If you are interested I would recommend specializing in Psychiatric Nursing.

Psychiatric Nurses much have nursing degrees, you cannot be one with a Psychology degree. But with Psychology degree you can work as a counseller, youth worker, social woker, andd I'm sure there are many other opportunities out there to work with young people.

Psychiatrists are different from psychologists in that they go to medical school, and are doctors who have specialized in mental health. They can write prescriptions and treat mental illnesses using a medical framework/model.

I hope that helps. I'm considering switching to psychiatry myself :).

Ok guys, I'm back again...and before I go into my big speal, I just wanted to inform you who know me that I finished my two classes I was working in. Intro to Health Care I got a 97% and Medical Terminology I got a 90%...and in hopefully in august ill be doing Patient Care Tech to reciece my CNA...anyways...I am again confused. I have been interacting at school with some mentally handicapped kids, and I must say, I am absoutly
fascinated by them, not disrespectfully, and I have always been interested in mental health and psychology (I finally learned how to spell it!!) Anyways....my hopeful career path is a Pediatric RN because I love kids and I love working with them...sooo...I have alot of questions. This may be confusing, but if you can follow what I'm saying can you pleeease help!
1) What exactly is a pshychiatic nurse?
2) Where do they work?
3) Is there such thing as a Pediatric Pshychiatric Nurse?
4) What type of jobs can I get with a Bachelors degree in Psychology?
Can you see where Im going? A friend of mine said a Psychiatric Nurse works in the "crazy home" im trying not to sound disrespectful but I cant think of anything else. Can I still be a nurse with a Bachelors in Psychology? Is there anyone like me! UGH! I hate being confused but Im so good at it! Im mainly just wanting to be clarified on some things so ANY information would help, espicially if you are a psychiatric nurse, or ANYTHING to do with this. Im sorry for the confusion, Im just a high school junior tryin to find my future.
Thanks guys and agian, sorry for the confusion.
Brittany