New Grad

[mmfry1979]

Hello...just wondering if I could get some friendly advice! I am graduating from a BSN program in two weeks, and I am having a lot of trouble deciding on what position to take. I have worked in psych for 5 years both as a tech and as a student nurse...on inpatient adult and emergency psych. I have applied for a Masters program as a Psych NP, because I truly love psych. I really feel torn about working some Med/Surg or ER though as a new grad. I know that the nurses I work with in psych now have little medical experience and I think patient outcomes are not what they should be because of the lack of skill. I was told by a professor not to pigeon hole myself as a new grad...and I am thinking maybe she is right? I have an offer for a full time RN position in the ED in a community hospital that does get a lot of psych patients that come through and was also offered a full time position in the psych Emergency department that is in a major urban hospital...which is where I have worked for the past three years. Don't know which way to go!! Love to hear what any seasoned psych nurses think.....THANKS!!

Melissa

[stephva1008]

Would probably take the regular ED position to get your feet wet in more of the medical and get your assessment skills honed. You could always go back to the Psych ED after a year or two in regular. You applied for a Psych NP masters as a new grad? I thought you had to at least have a year or two as a staff RN before any masters program? I could be wrong though.

If you want to do the NP and you have no med-surg experience, I would definitely do the regular ED. Or you do regular MD then go inpatient psych as a RN and then do masters from there.

I'm one of those ones that was glad to get the medical stuff down before staying in psych long-term. But others go right into it as a new grad and do fine. To each his own I guess :)

Good luck!

[SweetLemon]

I am a psych nurse and currently LOVE it but if I was in your shoes I almost think I would try for a spot in the ED 1st. If you are planning on getting your masters in psych nursing chances are you will be spending a LOT of time immersed in psych and having a bit more variety in your life during those few more years while you are in school may help you feel a bit more balanced (Too much of a good thing is not always a good thing:twocents:). Also being in the ED you will still see a very good variety of psych patients coming through your door and with your background along with the continued education you are planning on doing you will be well prepared. BUT... with all that said all the options in which you mentioned sounded fun and exciting and whatever you choose is sure to be an exciting adventure. Good Luck and keep us posted.

[Jules A, MSN]

I guess it depends on you and what you would be happy doing. For me the psych ed would be about as close to med-surge as I'm interested in getting. Personally I do not feel that my patients are short changed by my lack of m/s experience. If I have one with health issues that I can't treat they are put on the elevator and sent to a med floor. FWIW I know plenty of psych only nurses that switched specialities and found someone willing to provide them with a comprehensive orientation. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[mmfry1979]

Thanks for the feedback...it is truly appreciated! I have been leaning on going into the regular ED, so I guess this is probably the right decision. I know my assessment and skills will be that much better from working somewhere more medical focused before specializing. As far as the Master's program I applied for, there is no requirement for experience before applying. Most of the programs in my area (Detroit) are like that...but even if I pursue my Master's right away, I will only go part time and that will give me a good three years of RN experience before I would complete the program. Plus the ANA is on the push for all NP's to have their Doctorate..so it looks like I will be a student for eternity!! That is alright with me though...I love to learn, and I think going ED will be my best chance for learning....thanks again!