Going into psych as a new graduate

[pinkiepie_RN]

I currently work as a mental health tech in a free standing psychiatric facility. Due to my work experience and my minor in psychology, I'm appearing quite marketable to a psychiatric floor in a prestigious teaching hospital where I'd like to work anyway(I really like the nursing philosophy, patient ratios, opportunities for research). I did my senior practicum there on the adolescent floor and saw psych issues everywhere! My heart lies most centrally in pediatrics, but I think I'd do very well as a psych nurse too. I like being able to feel like I'm helping, rather than just treating an illness. I'd ideally like to combine my loves and do child/adolescent psych, but I'm currently exploring my options.

I have concern that I don't think I'd want to stay in psych forever and hear that once you're in psych, you're considered less marketable for a position in a different specialty. Should I really get that med-surg experience and then do psych if my heart still calls to it or do you think I'll be alright should I chose to switch specialties after some psych RN experience? This hospital does have a pediatric center associated with it but they're not currently hiring new grads.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I went into psych right after graduation and did not have any problem getting a job in med/surg when my psych hospital was closed. I firmly believe that if you have a love in a particular area of nursing you should go for it right away. But, if you don't know for sure, then a year of med/surg is valuable.

[Jules A, MSN]

Since I was fairly certain I only wanted to do psych I didn't hesitate but in your case I'd be inclined to hold out for a more versatile position to begin with, maybe on a pediatric med floor? Good luck.

[pinkiepie_RN]

Since I was fairly certain I only wanted to do psych I didn't hesitate but in your case I'd be inclined to hold out for a more versatile position to begin with, maybe on a pediatric med floor? Good luck.

Thanks. I guess I'm just worried that with the job market being weird and that hospitals aren't taking as many new grads as usual I won't be able to get a peds job and I don't really want to do med-surg if I can't do peds straight out of school. Does that make sense to you?

[Jules A, MSN]

Thanks. I guess I'm just worried that with the job market being weird and that hospitals aren't taking as many new grads as usual I won't be able to get a peds job and I don't really want to do med-surg if I can't do peds straight out of school. Does that make sense to you?

Absolutely and I really don't think things are as dire here as other places, you are in Balto, right? I totally get not wanting to do med-surge and if you decide to go right into psych you just may just have to prepare yourself for a tougher time breaking into peds in the future if you get tired of psych. Personally I don't think that means you wouldn't ever be able to make the transition just that it might take longer. Definitely check out Kennedy Krieger, they hire new grads. I have a friend that works there and loves it.

[Cree8ive1]

Great topic. Like the OP, I'm very interested in going directly into psych nursing when I graduate in May. I'm a career-changer at 40 y/o so don't want to spend any more time on a med/surg floor when I am certain it's not what I want to do in the long run. Even within psych, there are SO many ways an RN can work. I've been researching RN to MSN programs in mental health nursing and have my eye on a few schools already. I really think this is the arena in which I want to spend the rest of my career. I'm in south NJ and am looking for suggestions of places that might hire a new grad right into psych. Thanks!