Education required?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2008

Welcome to Allnurses.

Good luck in all that you do. The Association for Addiction Professionals has a certification program: http://naadac.org/documents/index.php?CategoryID=3

I'm not sure about nursing, but the ANCC has many specialties they certify including Pysch. Nursing: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/NurseSpecialties/PsychiatricMentalHealth.aspx

I'll move your post to the Pysch. Nursing forum where it might be better served rather than this one which is mainly ADN vs. BSN debates. Good luck!

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

Welcome.

Much depends upon your state that you reside in and what your goals are IN the field like counseling. In some states, the term "Counselor" is a protected title...much like LPN, RN, MD, DO, et cetera. Check with your state licensing boards. Your state may determine what you are permitted to call yourself.

Secondly, a Masters in Nursing is usually the level that is recognized by governmental agencies allowing one to provide counseling/therapy-like services.

I would start there...evaluating both your goals in relation to further education. A BSN is still considered a generic/entry point into nursing. Beyond that, a Masters may be required.

My best to you.

againmlg · Sep 14, 2008

Welcome.
Much depends upon your state that you reside in and what your goals are IN the field like counseling. In some states, the term "Counselor" is a protected title...much like LPN, RN, MD, DO, et cetera. Check with your state licensing boards. Your state may determine what you are permitted to call yourself.
Secondly, a Masters in Nursing is usually the level that is recognized by governmental agencies allowing one to provide counseling/therapy-like services.
I would start there...evaluating both your goals in relation to further education. A BSN is still considered a generic/entry point into nursing. Beyond that, a Masters may be required.

For counseling I've always heard that a masters is the baseline of education. Generally after obtaining the masters and then 3000 hrs of work in the field you can take a certification exam. For example with a masters in SW and 2 yrs of post masters work in the field you are allowed to sit for the cert exam to be become LCSW and do counseling.

Good luck.

lyceeboo · Sep 14, 2008

Hi Starfish08!

Welcome to allnurses. And congrats on earning your BS and on starting an RN program!!! The BS and your LPN/RN background will mean a lot of job security. :-)

It seems like you should be able to use the RN & BSHS to get your foot in the door of an EDU or CDU. But you might have to start in an position such as "assessment" or "admissions counselor" or even direct care nurse.

I've seen positions as "admit counselors" offered to people with 4 yr health related degrees. Often a BA in psych or BSN is preferred. Please note that these jobs are entry level and often pay less than you could make as an RN in direct care.

Here are some additional ideas:

Look around at local in-pt as well as out-pt (partial hospitalization, day care and clinics for behavioral health/addictionology) and see what credentials their RN's hold.

Also I learn a lot about what degrees, skills and certifications are marketable by reading want ads and career builder.com.

Anyway, I just sent you a pm if you'd like to exchange ideas on options in this area. I'm in a similar situation as far as further education and career transition. :specs:

Good luck!

Starfish08 · Sep 14, 2008

Hi Lyceeboo,

Thanx for all the helpful "keywords" to look for in ads online. I actually used one and came up with a job that fits the description.

I don't know how to pm you, how did you get my email addie?

I went through SUNY Empire State out of Saratoga Springs, NY for my BS in Community and Human Services. It was a great program, and I learned a ton of stuff that I will eventually use in practice.

I can't wait to be REALLY done with the educational aspect (not that you ever stop learning but the book and papers part) and get into practice.

One more year.... (or should I say one year at a time?....)

I hope that helps you!

lyceeboo · Sep 15, 2008

Hi Lyceeboo,
Thanx for all the helpful "keywords" to look for in ads online. I actually used one and came up with a job that fits the description.
I don't know how to pm you, how did you get my email addie?
I went through SUNY Empire State out of Saratoga Springs, NY for my BS in Community and Human Services. It was a great program, and I learned a ton of stuff that I will eventually use in practice.
I can't wait to be REALLY done with the educational aspect (not that you ever stop learning but the book and papers part) and get into practice.
One more year.... (or should I say one year at a time?....)
I hope that helps you!

Just click on some one's name and a drop down menu appears that will lead to the private message function.

The pm function differs from email. Pm is helpful to send a message to someone that may not be of interest to the general population of the forum, or to share specific info you don't want the public to see. If you give out information or even ask a very specific question on a public forum there is always a (slight) chance that a casual reader could misinterpret what you have written.

Starfish80, Feel free to pm if you like. (I really hate to feel like I've posted info that can be misinterpreted, or that is misleading or incorrect.)

Allow me to elaborate/clarify: I've worked as an "admit counselor" for a large national chain of in-pt EDU's. The reason I said it was "entry level with lower pay" is because I was a "counselor" in name only. I was not paid as a therapist and I was in NO WAY qualified to provide professional therapy.

As an admissions counselor in EDU my function was more about making sure referrals met certain basic admit criteria. I was told specifically not to allow potential admits to use initial assessment meetings with me as "sessions". I should tell you that there was also some pressure on me to produce certain numbers. (Geez...At times I felt more like a sales person than a counselor.)

I believe Thunderwolf and others who detailed the advanced requirements...(post masters with an additional 2 yrs of documented work in the field) needed to take the certification exams and become therapists, were correct. As one who has benefited from professional therapy during a bout with depression in my youth, I'm thankful for the standards of practice in place.:wink2:

Good luck in school!