anyone here get a degree in psychology?

TemperStripe · May 30, 2009

I got my first degree in Psychology in 2004. I just graduated with my BSN in December, 2008. Now I'm working in a SICU, and am having a great experience.

I made the switch because there was nothing I could do with my psychology degree besides wilt away in Corporate America. I had no interest in counseling. After I got rejected from a PhD program in industrial psychology (the only area I had a real interest in pursuing) I decided I wasn't actually that interested in it, after all.

Don't get me wrong, I am proud of my degree and wouldn't trade those 4 years of my life for anything. At the time, I was a recovering theatre major, and psychology was one of the only things I could switch my major to that would still allow me to graduate on time. And I really enjoyed all the classes and research projects I did, so it wasn't wasted time.

I wanted to be a nurse when I was a little kid. I have always been interested in health care. That's why, when I started analyzing my life a little more, I knew I needed to go back to my original "calling." I don't have a single regret, either.

feralnostalgia · May 30, 2009

I never got my BA in Psych, so I hope this isn't off topic, but I started out as a psychology major with a strong interest in counseling. After two semesters of taking all the psych courses I could, I asked my professor what else I should take that was relevant to being a therapist. she told me I'd already taken everything offered that actually helped therapy, the rest was just theory and prep for research psychology. I only wanted to directly help people, face to face, so I switched to sociology for a while, thinking I'd do social work, but I realized I could do much more with nursing, and ended up as a nursing student instead.

gxsr · May 30, 2009

I got a BA in Psychology in 2002, and now work in a Psychiatric Hospital. I also work in a group home, for a company which I have worked for 11 years. I originally thought that I'd go into a PHD program, and while applying thought .....well maybe I could be a Psychiatrist. So, I applied and got accepted to a post bac pre med program in Boston...went for one semester and realized that medicine was what I wanted, but being in school for the next 10 years wasn't. So here I am, one year away from graduating and very happy with my decision. My Psych BA helps out alot, it provides me with a good overall understanding of behavior.. and allows me to have a better patient understanding. That's my rambling explanation....good luck! :specs:

NursingRocks1998 · May 30, 2009

I got a BA in Psych in 2003- Couldn't do very much with it-worked for peanuts as a foster care case worker and burned out quick-- decided since I love helping people and find medicine just fascinating that I would become a nurse!

Midwest4me · May 30, 2009

I got my B.S. in Psychology back in 1981, then pursued a MS in Speech Pathology and Audiology, realized my real love was nursing, switched to nsg school. Had been accepted into the RN program, but stopped after obtaining the LPN degree, thinking I'd later return for the RN and never did. I work at a psych hospital. I DO regret not finishing the RN but for me, it's now too late due to my age, husband's health issues, and lack of financial ability.

lilysam · May 31, 2009

i started off pursing psych and social services and got my bachelor's in psych in 1996. i worked as a social worker for 10 years and burned out. nursing was in the healthcare field, lots of my psych credits transferred over and now i have a bachelor's in nursing. i now realize it wasn't the jobs or career that burned me out but working with people. im in the ER right now but think i need to be an OR nurse or something where the people don't speak to me. i love the medical component of nursing but done with the entertaining component.. everyone's different i guess...

nanagose · May 31, 2009

My first degree was in psych. Halfway through my program, I realized I wanted to go to nursing school, but my university didn't offer a nursing major. I figured transferring would add on another year to my education anyway and I was having a great experience at the college I was at, so I decided to do a one-year accelerated BSN program.

I love my psych degree! I had never really intended on "using" it, because I was been pre-med before I made the switch to pre-nursing. But I got a pretty sweet temporary job out of my psych degree, and all of my friends from the department are doing interesting things now as well.

I can't see myself going into anything psych-related in the long-term (maybe a psych floor for a liiiittle while, to try it!), but the skills and knowledge I got from that degree have been useful in clinicals so far.

Scooter5 · May 31, 2009

BA in Psyc 1991. Worked for my county since. To get my foot in the county door I was a CNA in the nursing home. Then to mental health, social services as an adult protective case worker, child protective services worker, and finally and for the last 12 years as a probation officer. I liked the residents in the nursing home. I'm tired of revolving door of criminal justice. Nursing is one of the few things I can do in a rural county and make near the same money. A 4 year degree in psyc qualifies you as an entry level worker in most cases. You'll make more money in nursing!

mashamontago · Jun 1, 2009

thank you guys for helping me gain insight about a career in psychology! your opinions were very valuable to me on my journey.