Honest advise needed

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I need some honest advise. I've been a nurse for over a yr now. First job was in psych for about 3 months and now I'm in med surg which I cannot stand. Just interview today and was offered a position on a children/adolescent unit.

I cannot ever picture myself in med surg, ER, neuro, just to name a few. I've loved psych before I became an RN.

Does anyone feel I should try to stick It out in med surg? I truly believe my heart is psych.

Feedback welcomed thank you!!!

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Go with Psych.

If that's what you like and that's where you want to stay... embrace it.

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Specializes in Psych.

I figure so few actually like working in psych ( and I LOVE IT) that it is better for me and my patients to stay where I am.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If you were close to finishing up a year in med/surg--like at the 10-11 month mark--then I'd say stick out the year just so you have it under your belt.

Otherwise, try to go where you will be happy: life and careers are too short to do otherwise.

Just interview today and was offered a position on a children/adolescent unit.

And especially go if you have a job offer there! :)

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

I worked in psych for 20 years and loved it. Go where your heart is and consider a grad degree down the line.

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Thanks for the advise! I've only been on med surg for about 2 months, I just hate job hoping... But I cannot imagine doing bedside nursing. I am nervous working with children.

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Specializes in Peds, Neuro Surg, Trauma, Psych.

Why did you leave the first psych job after 3 months?

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Why did you leave the first psych job after 3 months?

It wax only pt 40 every 2 wks.

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It wax only pt 40 every 2 wks.

Sometimes, if you really want to get into a specific area, you kinda have to work your way into it, to get the hours and bennies you want in the end.

So, if I really wanted a psych position, but I was only offered PRN, well, I'd take that.

It would give me experience and get my foot in the door for when a part-time or full-time position opened (meanwhile, I'd have another 20-40hr/week job elsewhere for bennies).

It seems (around here, anyway) that there are not a whole lot of psych openings. Obviously, it's just a smaller area (not as many psych hospitals as medical hospitals) and those nurses who do get into psych... stay there.

Most psych nurses I know, would not give up their spots for anything.

Here's another chance for you... take it! Take it!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Sometimes, if you really want to get into a specific area, you kinda have to work your way into it, to get the hours and bennies you want in the end.

So, if I really wanted a psych position, but I was only offered PRN, well, I'd take that.

It would give me experience and get my foot in the door for when a part-time or full-time position opened (meanwhile, I'd have another 20-40hr/week job elsewhere for bennies).

That's how I did it: I started PRN and made myself available for four shifts a week. I was rarely cancelled (if anything, staffing called perpetually because they needed bodies). I did have the advantage of not needing benefits, so I could sign on for PRN with no worries. Anyhow, after a year they offered me a permanent position.

Sometimes you just have to get in by any door you can.

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Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

Any way you can stay on PRN at the m/s job? I was in the hospital, doing psych and then left for a non-clinical position. I'm picking up a job in a nursing home now (not exactly psych, but there's plenty of gero-psych patients out there) and I'm thinking of applying for a PRN position in a hospital, either psych again or m/s. I know if you ever wanted to switch out again, most acute care jobs still want recent acute care experience.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I have been a psychiatric nurse for over 15 years and wouldn't do anything else. It's a great area of nursing with a caveat that it is not for everyone. Seeing for yourself that you have made difference in someone's life is very gratifying. Some nurses look down upon psychiatric nurses because we do not start an IV on daily basis. I could brag if I wanted to and pretend to be holier-than-thou but that is not my style.

If you liked your 3-month stint, I'd say that you do have to give yourself a little more time before you decide your final choice. I do want to warn you that psychiatric nurses have more than their fair share of violence than most other areas of nursing (except for E.R.). I can say that from personal experience.

One more word of caution: I wouldn't want to do overtime or long shifts (12 hours or 16 hours), although I have done it in the past.

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