Am I limiting my options?

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Hiya :)

I'm due to start my nursing diploma in 4 weeks time

I've chosen to study Mental Health nursing but the last few days I'm begging to worry that I may be limiting my options

I know I've 3 years to worry about this but at the end of it am I going to be able to find a job as a RMN as easily as I would as a RGN?

Please don't take that the wrong way, I'm not saying finding any sort of job in nursing is easy but In my area there are quite a few jobs going for RGN's compared to the jobs for RMN

I desperatly want to study the Mental Health side of things but I'm thinking maybe I could complete the adult diploma then later go on to study for a Mental Health diploma

Any advice?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the UK forum for further input.

Are your plans to stay in the UK or look further abroad in the future? Hard to say as we see many saying they are having problems finding work but you should do something you think you will enjoy

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

It's always good to give yourself a wider base of options.You may find that you enjoy adult nursing but if not go on to the Mental health training.If ,on the other hand,it is your passion to do Mental Health then go for it first.

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That's the other thing I was worried about

My partner and I are planning on getting married once I have completed the course so then I will be moving to wherever his postings are

Germany is a likely place he will be sent for around 3-5 years making it even harder no doubt to get a job as any kind of nurse!

lol so much worry and I haven't even started yet

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Specializes in ICU.
Hiya :)

I'm due to start my nursing diploma in 4 weeks time

I've chosen to study Mental Health nursing but the last few days I'm begging to worry that I may be limiting my options

I know I've 3 years to worry about this but at the end of it am I going to be able to find a job as a RMN as easily as I would as a RGN?

Please don't take that the wrong way, I'm not saying finding any sort of job in nursing is easy but In my area there are quite a few jobs going for RGN's compared to the jobs for RMN

I desperatly want to study the Mental Health side of things but I'm thinking maybe I could complete the adult diploma then later go on to study for a Mental Health diploma

Any advice?

There may be opportunities to change your branch, in fact I did this (learning disability to adult). However if you feel a vocation towards mental health then follow your heart.

Your husband-to-be could be posted just about anywhere but if you think he is going to be going to Germany it might be an idea to consider learning German at some stage. Being able to speak the language would help your employment options because you would be able to apply for jobs in German health care faclilities. There are a few jobs in the garrison medical centres for dependants but not many. A neighbour of mine worked in theatres in a German hospital. I don't know about options for mental health nurses though.

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Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.
That's the other thing I was worried about

My partner and I are planning on getting married once I have completed the course so then I will be moving to wherever his postings are

Germany is a likely place he will be sent for around 3-5 years making it even harder no doubt to get a job as any kind of nurse!

lol so much worry and I haven't even started yet

is this BFG postings? - if so you are forgetting that 'civilian' jobs with BFG directly, defence education , SSAFA etc ...

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Specializes in Operating Theatre and Occ. Health.

Always get your RN if you can. You never know where fate wil take you either geographically or professionally!

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Specializes in medical.

normally your first year is a common foundation year that touches on all the branches, even though you're classed as a student in one of the separate branches. we had a few people swap brances at the start of their second year.

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Just qualified as a Mental Health nurse and easily got a job (3 interviews, 2 offers) - as have most of my peers. I believe that jobs are currently scarce in the child branch, but adult and MH are not having a problem.

As someone said, if you want to do MH, then do it because you definitely don't want to be stuck in a nursing job you really don't want. If you're not that bothered which branch you go into, then do whatever you feel happiest with.

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yeah most of my cohort adult and mental health have got jobs.

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