Does this seem like a good idea for me?

I can't comment regarding your juvenile record, but I am terrible at math and managed to get through school, practice, and now return to school for my MSN.

That is why we love our pharmacists and calculators. I got a tutor in school even though I am not bad with numbers. But for some reason I was bad with drip calculations. I know that makes no sense to me either but we all have our strengths & weaknesses. If it is something you are passionate about, don't let anything stop you.

It sounds like the first thing you need to look into is the effect your juvenile record is going to have on your ability to sit for the NCLEX and/or practice. Will you be able to be licensed and, if so, will there be restrictions? Will you need to be monitored? It's worth doing some research so you can know what you're getting into. There are unfortunately many examples cases of prospective nurses on these very forums, whose records prior to entering the healthcare field...5, 10, 15 years prior, even ... have had a huge impact on their ability to work.

I agree with the other posters regarding your juvenile record, but as for the math, its really not that bad. Take it from someone who is totally terrible with math as well. Nursing school is tough, and if you only feel like you want to do psych, you have to understand that you will be expected to learn a lot of med/surg stuff as well as all the other specialties. The psych rotation is not that long or as in depth at many schools. Be prepared for the possibility that you get to your psych rotation and discover you really DON'T think its a good fit. It happens.

Firstly, I believe anyone who wants to be a nurse can be a nurse given that they put in the work and the time. I truly believe that all it takes is good work ethic, good judgement and some critical thinking ability. The math is basic (addition, subtraction, fractions, ratio, decimals, division and multiplication) and that is easily picked up with practice.

I'm not sure how a juvenile record would affect your chances at obtaining a license I would recommend seeking legal advice.

I recommend looking into employment prospects for New graduates in your area before starting nursing school. A lot of people enter the field because they think that there is great opportunity and that they will always have employment and get the first pick about where they're going to work ect. The reality is that this just isn't true anymore and hasn't been for some time. Although there is a lot of demand for more experienced nurses, it is really, really hard to land a job as a new graduate right now and pretty much the only way to do so is to be really flexible about where and when you're going to work. Many students from my BSN cohort still have not found jobs (I graduated December 2012).

Whether or not working as a psychiatric nurse would be worth the effort is up to you and your beliefs. I personally believe that all effort put in to obtain a well researched goal is worthwhile.

Becoming a nurse - especially a nurse in a specific filed of nursing is difficult but not impossible given some determination and flexibility.

I wish you luck in you're journey and hope everything works out for you!