Any Psych nurses have experience working registry/nursing agencies?

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

Hello everyone!

I'm a nursing student (graduating this May :)) and I'm really interested in Psych, but I also want to eventually work registry as a main source of income after some experience, of course (although I've heard registry has been slow/not used as much by hospitals lately. I am not sure if that is accurate?) However, I have been told not to go directly into Psych because I'll limit my sources of income if I want to do registry and that I should get some Med-surg experience first.

What is your guys' opinion on this and what has your experience been working registry as a Psych nurse? Do you find it difficult to find available shifts in registry because your specialty is Psych?

I am trying to decide if I should go straight into Psych or if I should endure at least one year of boring med-surg :down: since I will soon be applying for jobs.

Your advice/comments would be EXTREMELY appreciated. Thank you!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I've done psych as a registry nurse. As with any registy/per-diem job, I notice it tends to be feast or famine: I'll have stretches where I'm cancelled frequently because I'm not needed, then periods where I'm in demand almost every day because some staff are on vacation or got fired. The fact is that registry is not the most stable source of income as registry people are often the first ones cancelled. With some agencies, you could get a long-term contract and that will give you more stability.

As far as getting med/surg before psych...it can't hurt but it is not necessary. You learn the new grad basics anywhere that you work your first year. Also, having a year of m/s can help you switch specialties down the road but only if you're planning to switch within a few years because most employers now require recent (as in the last 3 years) specialty experience. Also, switching out of psych without recent (or any) m/s experience is not impossible...it can be hard, especially in this employer's job market, but it can and has been done.

IMO, if you have an opportunity to go right into psych and psych is what you really want, go for it!

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At my facility at least half the nurses work for agency because we're state run and the pay is ****. Also we have plenty of nurses who came straight from school to us so if psych is your thing than go for it!!!!

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Thank you Meriwhen and Psych nerd for answering my questions. I have taken everything into consideration and I'm just gonna go for it!! :yes:

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