licensed psych tech in california

Kimberly Ha · May 27, 2011

Hello! I was thinking of doing the same thing. But very confused right now. Just wondering, have you gone through with it and/or how do you like it?

Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I · May 28, 2011

I've worked with LPT's, most are darn good, knowledgeable and hard working. The problem is jobs. They are a specialty that doesn't cross borders... RN's and LVN's can work psych, but LPT's can't work Med/Surg, etc.

The LPT who let me know what they made said he's paid $22 per hour. Is it dangerous work? Well, as an RN, I've been assaulted numerous times, hurt quite a few times. The LPT's I've worked with are at risk like any psych employee, but in the places I've worked, they're drawing up the meds while I and the mental health workers are trying to talk down or are wrestling with the client who's in the midst of a psychiatric emergency.

caliotter3 · May 28, 2011

The problem is a lack of jobs. Demand has decreased with the policy changes and closure of facilities in CA. One of the men in my nursing school class was an LPT who went to nursing because of job opportunities and that was 20 years ago.

Kimberly Ha · May 28, 2011

Oh, thanks for your response Yosemite! It helped. :nurse:

My situation right now is a little complicated. Ultimately I want to be an RN, but it seems that all the roads to get there are dissipating and competitive. So I thought doing the ladder route would increase my chances getting in.

I applied to the LVN program and Mt. Sac's Psychiatric Technician program. Luckily I got in to the psych program but I am also an "Alternate" for the LVN program (which wont let me know if I am in or not until Aug 5th)

Meanwhile the psych program starts in the beginning of July. My plan A was that if I got into the LVN program I would take Micro this summer so I would at least be elligible to apply for the RN program. The bad news is that Micro and Psych tech co-exists at the same time but at different schools. It's going to be one or the other.

It seems like everything is at a standstill right now and I am not sure if I should take Micro or the Psych tech.

If I enter the LVN program it would take one year to complete. And then another year to complete the transitioned RN program.

If I took the Psych Tech program it would take 1.5 years. And since it chops off one semester of the RN program, it would take an additional 1.5 years to complete the RN program.

Assuming the waitless,lottery, and chancellors selection that I get in that is ..

Or I can just take Micro and apply everywhere this summer and hope I get in during the Winter. But chances are very very slim and limited.

What do you think I should do? Or what would you do if you were in my case??

Also, which route did you take to be an RN?? if you dont mind me asking ..

Thanks

Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I · May 29, 2011

Kimha: I would avoid either... LVN's are having a tough time finding work. RN's, especially new grads are having a tough time finding work. LPT's are having a tough time finding work. I hate to be a "downer," but if you're good at math, engineering, I understand, is one of the waves of the future.

There will be a damand, again, for RN's... but my opinion is that it is a few years away and you will be competing against all the new grads pouring out of nursing schools, now and in the future as well as foreign nurses pouring into the US. Now, if you can afford to go on to get your PHD in nursing and go for Nurse Practicioner, THAT would be a GREAT option...