How can I get into Psych?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, telemetry/stepdown.

Hi..I'm a second year ADN student, graduating in May 2009. I have always been interested in Psych, and today was my second day of a 2week Psych rotation. I think it pretty much made up my mind for me!. So my question is for all of the Psych nurses here...were you able to enter Psych right out of school, or did you go for the new grad orientation and recommended med-surg year? I like Med-Surg, but I'd like to be in a specialty, and eventually progress to higher education...I'm very excited about the future, and any advice given will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tina

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Hey Tina,

It depends on the shortage or lack of in your area. I was hired as a LPN with no experience. There are definitely pros to getting a year of med-surg but I knew going into school that I wasn't going to go that route and have been very happy with my decision. Around here if I should change my mind there are excellent orientation programs that I could attend. I know one nurse that ended up switching to ED after 9 years in Psych and does great. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Jules

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Hi Martina1120, After graduation, I applied as an RN in a Behavioral Health Unit. And that was it. Go for what your heart desires. Good luck to you!

Hi..I'm a second year ADN student, graduating in May 2009. I have always been interested in Psych, and today was my second day of a 2week Psych rotation. I think it pretty much made up my mind for me!. So my question is for all of the Psych nurses here...were you able to enter Psych right out of school, or did you go for the new grad orientation and recommended med-surg year? I like Med-Surg, but I'd like to be in a specialty, and eventually progress to higher education...I'm very excited about the future, and any advice given will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tina

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I chose my unit to due my RN nursing school 9 week preceptorship . I got offered a job upon passing the NCLEX_RN and took it. Have been there a year now with no regrets...

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Specializes in Psych.

I went straight into psych from college, never looked back, that was 30 years ago. If your hell bent on getting med surg exp, major medical hospitals may have a med-psych unit, not an easy population if your not truly interested in psych. Just an idea.

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.

As a Recent graduate of nursing school, I wanted to be in an area where I felt my talents can be best. When I was in my psych clinicals, I knew it was the area I wanted to be in. So I applied to the psych unit in the last month of my senior semester in nursing school. I was accepted as a nurse resident with full RN pay and benefits. The icing on the cake is when I passed my boards. Now I'm an RN working for the unit I enjoy and wake up every day looking forward to working. I am getting all the specialty training through the hospital and the unit. So it is very possible to be a pychiatric nurse straight from school. GO FOR IT! We need wonderful nurses. :nurse:

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, ICU, LTC, DRUG & ETOH.

hello ,:p

just a suggestion, apply for any rn postion you think you may like and apply to work prn on med surg psych. usually most psych nurses stay in their job longer which makes it harded to get a foot in the door. good luck !:nurse:

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