Moving into Acute Care w/ no experience, 5+ years after graduation: Can it be done?

[ivyleaf]

So, I am a psych nurse and have been since graduating from an ADN program in 2007 (I have a BA in psych). I worked for almost a year in inpatient psych per diem, but the rest of my psych experience has been at freestanding, unlocked crisis units and in community work. I am about to start a new job as an inpatient psych case manager for a large teaching hospital, as part of a consult team that floats to different medical floors/units to assess and transfer pts to psych units (either in-house or elsewhere).

I am excited about the job, but have been thinking about eventually "returning" (although I never had an RN job in this setting) to "medical" or acute care nursing. I really liked my ED rotation in school (although it was brief), but really disliked med/surg (feeling like I was running around giving meds, not able to grasp the bigger picture, feeling like I had little autonomy, constantly doing tasks without being able to rest), and so went straight into psych.

Is there any chance of me getting an acute care job in the future?? I would need a full, new grad-esque orientation, as I never got one and have had no experience with IVs since nursing school. I have bought some m/s and critical care review books, and am open to taking a nurse refresher course, although I've heard mixed opinions on this. I'd eventually like to get into the ED and explore the Acute Care NP role.

I am hoping that if I do well in this job, and still want to try acute care in 1+ years, the hospital will give me a shot on one of their floors, and if I want to continue, make my way to the ED. Is this wishful thinking?? They have a reputation for having an excellent new grad program, but I'm not sure if I'd qualify, as I'm not a new grad anymore!!

I am also wondering at what point it would be appropriate to start exploring this idea with the hospital's Nursing Education department.

Thanks in advance!!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Well, I would venture that exploring it with the education department probably won't go over well if you are just starting a new position.

That being said my hospital regularly puts nurses who want to switch specialties into the internship programs. They prefer to move an experienced nurse from within to the specialty areas such as ICU, L&D and ER. That being said, they also prefer the nurse to have at least a couple of years of med/surg or telemetry experience. Are you willing to do your time in order to get into the specialty of your choice?