Is a new grad w/ a psych degree & group home experience at an advantage?

[Shanty3710]

Hi All!

I'm strongly considering a career change. I have 2 previous degrees: B.S Psychology emphasis in Counseling and a B.A in Spanish. Now, this question came to mind because I have a Psych degree, and 1 year experience in Residential Care with youth (under 17 yo). It was RCL 14, in other words it was a high level (the highest level before being admitted to a locked down facility) in-home treatment providing mental health services. Although this work experience was not as a RN, I spent a year of passing medications, logging about patient behavior (literally) every 15 mins, using verbal deescalation techniques (we sat in many trainings for this), and also having to do plenty of physical restraints.

I would like to think that this experience would be useful in my job search as a new grad. But could you guys just give me some insight as to how you think this would(n't) help me in locking down a job fairly quickly after graduation? Thanks!

[elkpark]

It would give you an advantage over other new grads for psych nursing positions.