Getting into nursing school(scared) for mental health nursing

HealthyRN · Jun 13, 2005

Don't get too stressed out about math. In my opinion, the math involved in nursing is not incredibly difficult- there is just no room for errors! If you already have a bachelor's degree, you may have already taken the highest level of math you will need. Check with the school that you're looking at though. Regardless, don't let this deter you from nursing school!

If you are planning on becoming an RN, I would not become an LPN first. It would be an unnecessary step. There are a couple of things you should consider. You could do an ADN program and earn your RN in 2 years. There are also a lot of programs that allow students with bachelor's degrees in other fields to become an RN and earn a MSN at the same time. It all depends on your ultimate career goals. Do you want to work as a staff nurse or are you considering advanced practice or management in mental health? Again, this is something about which you should speak to an academic advisor.

At this point, I would not purchase the NCLEX study guide. It will be useless without any nursing school experience. If you do decide to go to nursing school, there will be plenty of time to begin studying.

Good luck!

kadokin, ASN, RN · Jun 15, 2005

Hello:
I have a bachelors of arts in psychology and looking to change my career to nursing. I worked about five years in social service and the money was less than 23,000 a year. I am a single mother of three children under 10. I would like to go into mental health nursing because I love psychology.
I am a little scare that I am not smart enough to go to nursing school. I am not good in math. I love science, but not the math part. I am a little scare of taking board exams.
The start salary of a RN is more than I will make in 3 years of social service employment. I know that I will make a good nurse because I know how it feels to be sick. Some nurses are not very caring to the sick.
I am thinking about purchasing the NCLEX-RN study guide by Peter Morrison founder of NCLEX-RN Secrets. Is the study guide worth purchasing for the pre-exam?
Should I go to the LPN program first?
Need Help,
moon30

A beginning RN makes 60K w/out further schooling such as an msn or crna? I want to move to Louisiana! Sorry, sometimes my flair for sarcasm gets the best of me. Are you sure about that earning potential? Check out your sources.

From your quote, "some nurses are not very caring to the sick", I get the feeling we need you in nursing.

As the previous poster said, the math is not that difficult. A reasonably intelligent person could learn it if they don't know it already.

Nursing school is difficult and time-consuming, and depending on your area, you may not be able to get a position in psych. right out of school. I don't want to discourage you, just give you some realistic expectations. As a nurse and a psychology major, you have the potential to assist your clients in many ways. Look into it, this may be just the thing for you. Remember, I said difficult, not impossible. Keep us posted.

Also, the previous poster was right about purchasing the NCLEX before you are enrolled in a nursing program, it would mean very little to someone who has not been to nursing school. You might see if you could have a look at one from a local college library, but don't let it intimidate you. BTW, the NCLEX changes every year, as do the study guides, so the time to purchase one is the year that you will be taking the test. I did this and I know it helped me to pass the exam by studying it 1-2 hours each night. It was cheaper than a study course.

moon30 · Jun 15, 2005

Thanks for the opinions regarding schooling. I have decided to get my LPN first because it is cheaper for me. Working as a LPN can finance my RN degree.

moon30

kadokin, ASN, RN · Jun 16, 2005

Thanks for the opinions regarding schooling. I have decided to get my LPN first because it is cheaper for me. Working as a LPN can finance my RN degree.
moon30

As a single parent, you may be eligible for more financial aid than you realize. Just a thought. Good luck, whatever you decide.

StuPer · Jun 16, 2005

Can I just add that, yes I think with your background you could be an asset to people suffering with mental health problems. Just a word of caution though when you do get to nursing school, you may find well meaning lecturers telling you to go into med/surg first for the experience. If your love is mental health then please go for it, we seem to lose a number of nurses either too med/surg, or altogether after being disillusioned in a field they didnt want to work in in the first place.

regards StuPer