need advice from fellow nurses

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ive always wanted to work in mental health or in a drug rehab facility.i currently work in ltc since dec.im a fairly new nurse.i was think of possibly trying to get a job in a hospital but i know thats a hard feat, but my question is if i switched over to mental health now would i be losing oppurtunities to learn because seems to me you dont get to use your skills in mental health...am i wrong???should i stay in ltc or try to get hospital work to work on my skills before i even think about transitioning to mental health???

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Specializes in ER, Critical Care, Paramedicine.

It's been said (yes, even by me to my students) that all nurses should work a year in med/surg, at least at the floor level (if not the ICU or ED) to really learn your critical thinking skills. I worked mental health for awhile, and cannot tell you how valuable my general nursing skills were when the patient had a seizure, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. It will really help you in the long run!!!

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It's been said (yes, even by me to my students) that all nurses should work a year in med/surg, at least at the floor level (if not the ICU or ED) to really learn your critical thinking skills. I worked mental health for awhile, and cannot tell you how valuable my general nursing skills were when the patient had a seizure, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. It will really help you in the long run!!!

Yes thats what i was thinking as well too but im a lvn most hospitals want rns=(

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Specializes in ER, Critical Care, Paramedicine.

True its getting tougher for LPNs (I think that was a typo no??) to get hospital spots. So isn't this the perfect time for you to get your RN while working LTC?? there are so many options for getting it, online, distance, part time, full time. Go for it!!!

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True its getting tougher for LPNs (I think that was a typo no??) to get hospital spots. So isn't this the perfect time for you to get your RN while working LTC?? there are so many options for getting it, online, distance, part time, full time. Go for it!!!

lol no im in texas in my area lpns are lvns...yes youre right but ive been thinking of having a little time off from school because when i go back i wanna go back fulltime no part time for me, or perhaps ive just gotten a little lazy idk?lol...but thanks for your advice=D

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

You use a whole different skill set when doing mental health. This is a huge area of weakness for me. Also, even those with mental health issues have physical health issues as well. You still have to take VS, administer meds, and monitor side effects, new or worsening s/s, and changes in condition. You still use the nursing process, and you still have to keep abreast of current standards of care.

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You use a whole different skill set when doing mental health. This is a huge area of weakness for me. Also, even those with mental health issues have physical health issues as well. You still have to take VS, administer meds, and monitor side effects, new or worsening s/s, and changes in condition. You still use the nursing process, and you still have to keep abreast of current standards of care.

yea i agree but when i did my clinicals at the state hospital we didnt get to do much..and i was disappointed because i like mental health...i like knowing whats going on in peoples heads.The nurses said it was a easy job because they didnt do much the only thing they really did all day was pass pills.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Doing clinicals and working are two completely different things. If MH is what you want to do, then I say do it. Tasks can be learned. Knowledge is what takes time and experience to develop. Why "do time" in med/surg if MH is where your heart is?

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Specializes in Neuro, Cardiac, ICU, Surgical.

Why don't you keep both jobs? per diem for one job, part-time or full-time for the other job, like I do. Mental Health is an interesting and challenging place to work, you need to be mentally prepare.

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Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

Against all the advice of my instructors (none of whom had worked in mental health), I went straight into mental health nursing as soon as I graduated. I hate med/surg - bed sores make me gag. I found I was excellent with MH patients - pediatric MH was the whole reason I wanted to be a nurse.

Think of it this way - nursing is a constantly changing field. Say you work in psych for a few years and then decide to go back into med/surg. After a few years, you'll have a ton to learn anyway - think of all the new meds that come out, new protocols, etc. And psych changes just as quickly, if not moreso.

Don't let people convince you the psych nursing is the easy way out - I think there's an attitude that "real" nursing is medical, but lemme tell you, it's just a different skill set.

Do what you love, it's never too late to change specializations - it's the great thing about nursing.

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Specializes in psych, correctional, detox.

I'm in the same predictament, but the other option for me is correctional nursing vs. LT acute rehab. correctional makes $8-$10 more an hour, but does a hospital recognize correctional nursing as nursing experience? I don't want to jump to yet another job just to have them say that your time at the jail doesn't really apply to what a hospital is looking for! I also do nursing in a detox per diem and it's great..as a per diem job :0)

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Specializes in rehab.
Yes thats what i was thinking as well too but im a lvn most hospitals want rns=(

then get your RN...

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