I am interested in pursuing an ABSN and working in psychiatric nursing.
I have been exploring the job ads and it seems there are a lot less psychiatric RN jobs compared to the other nursing specialties (not taking into account psych NP jobs, which is a totally different job).
For anyone with experience in this specialty, how is the demand for entry level psychiatric RNs compared to other nursing settings? Should I be worried about potentially not finding an entry level position as a psych nurse upon graduation from an ABSN? (if it makes any difference, I live in California)
I am also in California. I often see postings for psych RN jobs encouraging new grads to apply. The main difference I've noticed is that hospitals (with a psych floor/unit) seem to want experience, while free standing or private organizations don't necessarily require it. I recently got hired at the county psych hospital where I live (haven't started yet). While I have some (not a lot) of psych experience, they didn't required it for the job. In fact, they take your psych clinical rotation you did in school into account.
I urge you to pursue this career path. I truly believe we are a rare breed, and this area of nursing needs nurses who want to do a job that so many do not.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
It looks I cannot send PM's yet...not enough posts. Can I ask what general metro area your facility is located in and what type of setting it is?
we are a stand alone acute in-patient psych in a suburb of Los Angeles. We primarily do crises stabilization. Substance detox and we have a small residential treatment program for addicts wishing to recover. It's a nice setting, management is easy to work with and pay and benefits while not the best are adequate. Also we have 17 other hospitals across the US so some people transfer if they want a geographic move.
Before I graduated, I had a tentative offer for a job in an emergency psych setting. It was contingent on my graduation and passing the NCLEX. The NM were in contact with me the whole time checking in to see how I was doing. I was thrilled to have a psych job before I had even competed school. I couldn't be happier.
The setting I work in loves new grads and has no problem hiring them. We are part of a teaching hospital, so we have a mix of senior nurses, newbies attendings, fellows, and residents. Management is supportive of continuing ed, but most of our newbies are already looking to get their psych NP degrees. I happy as a floor nurse and want to stay this way for a while.
If you're in Northern CA, HOH seems to always be hiring new grads! I'm just about finishing up my clinical rotation there - place can use a little TLC but lately I've been interested in this population d/t the stories to what got them there in the first place and my psych professors are pretty inspiring!
Psych seems to be an under-served area. Why do you think there's such a high turn over rate to work as psych RNs??
The fact that this population seems under-served makes me more inclined to give it a shot and work with them. It's so sad. Though, I wish I got to see more interaction with the patients and RNs at the facility I'm currently at. Interviewing the patients is fascinating yet heartbreaking.
The psych hospitals in my area can't keep staff - including RNs which they pay sign in bonuses to for commitments. They're always under staffed as well. I've heard they'll go entire days without kitchen staff and techs, administration, and sometimes nurses have to go cook, lol. One is UHS, one is CHS, another couple I won't mention.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
The psych hospitals in my area can't keep staff - including RNs which they pay sign in bonuses to for commitments. They're always under staffed as well. I've heard they'll go entire days without kitchen staff and techs, administration, and sometimes nurses have to go cook, lol. One is UHS, one is CHS, another couple I won't mention.
I doubt such a facility would even pass the joint commission. Plus you have be a certified food handler to prepare food in any type of commercial kitchen I have ever worked in here in CA.
I doubt such a facility would even pass the joint commission. Plus you have be a certified food handler to prepare food in any type of commercial kitchen I have ever worked in here in CA.
IDK if they're TJC or not. I think TJC and CARF are hogwash, but that's beside the point.
I've never heard of a certified food handler in my life, lol. And yes I've been around the block and have the scars to show for it. I know about servsafe but cooks and such don't have to be individually certified. In my land, felons are often working in commercial kitchens, lol. Of course, not so much in the hospitals or nursing homes.
Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
I doubt such a facility would even pass the joint commission. Plus you have be a certified food handler to prepare food in any type of commercial kitchen I have ever worked in here in CA.
All it takes is a food handler's certificate in most places - which is a very short online course and about $10 for the certificate. My employer pays for all employees to have a food handler's certificate so any of us can retrieve food for a patient in a pinch - as per regulations we aren't even to enter a commercial kitchen with out one.
That being said any facility that can't retain cooks and is having RNs cook on a regular basis is clearly not well run.
Psych facilities in the metro Boston area do hire new grads. As mentioned by another poster, psych units within large general hospitals do require some experience, but standalone psych facilities will hire new grads.
LC25
11 Posts
I am also in California. I often see postings for psych RN jobs encouraging new grads to apply. The main difference I've noticed is that hospitals (with a psych floor/unit) seem to want experience, while free standing or private organizations don't necessarily require it. I recently got hired at the county psych hospital where I live (haven't started yet). While I have some (not a lot) of psych experience, they didn't required it for the job. In fact, they take your psych clinical rotation you did in school into account.
I urge you to pursue this career path. I truly believe we are a rare breed, and this area of nursing needs nurses who want to do a job that so many do not.
Good Luck to you!!