Career choice: Schooling Requirements??

[celestelioness]

Hello all!

I'm in need of a solid game-plan...

I currently have just graduated the PN nursing program in NC and I'm taking my NCLEX-PN within the next few days. Soon to be LPN! As far as my profession is concerned, my original plan was to have nursing as a stepping stone, as I would like my end goal in my career to be with pediatric psychology. I'm currently working on my undergrads in psychology and I know in order to practice psychology, I'd need at least master's degree so I completed the nursing program, in hopes of having a stable well-paying job while attending school, also dually acting as my "plan B" if my psych plan doesn't work out. (Please don't get the impression that nursing is "just a job" for me, I am passionate about it, however, I just like psych more). Now that I'm so indulged into nursing, I was wondering if there's a way to combine all components of what I'm looking for (pediatrics, nursing and psychology). So of course, I'm thinking psych nursing! However, now I'm not sure what educational path to take. Should I continue obtaining my undergrad's in psych? I'd still like a primarily psych related line of work compared to nursing but I'm not entirely opposed to a nursing line work either. I'm thinking maybe there's a way to kill 2 birds with one stone as far as obtaining education for both fields. Any suggestions/ideas? All input is appreciated :)

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

How about getting your MSN with a specialization in Psychiatry and Mental Health? That's what I did. I'm a psych CNS. My degree enables me to do therapy and prescribe. There's also the psych NP route. Advanced practice psych nurses are very much in demand these days and pull large salaries.

A Master's in psych won't necessarily lead where you want it to lead. You might need a doctorate to do what you want to do.

As a Psych CNS, I can do more than those I worked with who had Master's degrees in psychology, and I often was paid much more (I've had several jobs).

[elkpark]

You can work in psychiatric settings as an LPN; that would give you an opportunity to see how much you like "real world" psych. You can also work in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings as an RN. If you want to pursue a graduate degree and advanced practice in nursing, psychiatric nurse practitioners are in demand, as Whispera noted (psych CNS is no longer an option, as the ANCC "retired" the credential in 2014).

[celestelioness]

What type of positions did you have? And should I drop the psych undergraduate degree?