New Grad accepted position as Psych Nurse. Did I make the right decision..Please help

[HappySH]

Hello All and thank you for clicking on my thread..

(New York, Queens) I'm a New grad w/ an AAS-I rec'd my RN license 8/09. I accepted a position on 12/09 working as a Psych nurse for the pediatric population. I would have preferred a position in a hospital setting (i.e. Med SUrg,ER) but as we all know many hospitals are still on the hiring freeze.

I have so far enjoyed it but it's very slow paced..nurses are really only busy when there is a crisis and there is a lot of paper work. Also Psych nurses get paid about 20k less than a RN in a hospital. I'm not in it for the money however it would be great to be fairly comoensated for my efforts.

I sometimes feel that I have short changed myself accepting this position b/c I need to further my clinical skills and I strongly believe that I will be more marketable with med-surg experience as oppose to Psych experience.

Please do voice your opinion and I would GREATLY appreciate your feedback..positive and negitive..

Thank you all for reading..

[AccelCNL, MSN, RN]

I am only a prenurisng student but I understand your concern but in this time of economic hardship a job is better than no job. When the economy betters and the hiring freeze ends then you will be an experienced nurse instead of a doe-eyed new grad.

[caliotter3]

You were offered a position in nursing and you accepted. You have a job. Congratulations. To deal with the clinical skills question, I suggest you inquire at a home health agency about doing an extended care shift or two once a month or more often to gain and keep up your clinical skills. Someone I know of has an administrative job and she works one home care shift each month to keep up her skills. This could work for you if you get the right case. Good luck.

[HappySH]

Thank you AccelRN.. good point

[HappySH]

You were offered a position in nursing and you accepted. You have a job. Congratulations. To deal with the clinical skills question, I suggest you inquire at a home health agency about doing an extended care shift or two once a month or more often to gain and keep up your clinical skills. Someone I know of has an administrative job and she works one home care shift each month to keep up her skills. This could work for you if you get the right case. Good luck.

That's a good idea..I will look into some agencies and see if they can offer per diem..but in your opinion do you think I should stick with Psych or look into Med Surg b/c I would be more marketable?