LPC vs. RN??

[SHarrison67]

I am interested in doing psych care management. I have a BS in Psychology with 8 years of MH experience and am considering Masters in MH Counseling then Licensure for LPC however process is 2 years fulltime + fieldwork + 2-3 years supervised work BEFORE can get licensed, however can go back for RN 2 years fulltime and do the same job years earlier and probably be paid more from what I am seeing in regard to salaries for both degrees. Am I crazy to be considering the RN with already having a Bachelors degree? Thanks for opinions!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

I was a non-nurse CM in MH and Psych with a BA and an MBA. I contemplated returning to school to earn a MPH or MSW and earn a license in counseling, but I got tired of being paid so little and having trouble paying for basic expenses. Thus, I returned to school and became a RN. So, no, it is not unheard of.... However, understand that you more than likely will work as a RN first with patients by the bedside before you return to Case Management. Being a bedside RN is a different way of thinking and it is in a different field.

Therefore, I encourage you to stay in touch with former employers so that when you graduate, you will have a job right out of school. Otherwise, become a CNA (poor pay, but very good experience) as soon as possible so that you can have your foot in the door of a place of employment right out of school. There is no nursing shortage and no shortage of New Graduate RNs seeking employment at this time. Good luck!

[JVLims]

Despite your extensive MH experience, you would not be a candidate for most employers seeking to hire an RN case manager. My hospital requires 5 years of solid nursing experience for consideration and you would then need 2+ years case management practice prior to applying for certification. As an experienced nurse who provides CM to patients on a 28 bed locked MH unit in a large urban trauma center, I can tell you jobs like mine are few and far between. Make sure you really want to become a nurse rather than seeing the license as a means to the end of avoiding what is (and I completely agree with you) a very burdensome, underpaid, and lengthy required supervised practice period.