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i am a medical assistant student who would like to become a mental health nurse. I have done a little research, but it can get a little confuesing. I figuared i would pursue an associates in nursing after i pass the entrance exam, what should i do after that? I do have some credit hours towards a degree in human services so the mental health part isnt much of an issue. Do i just declare nursing or specify what field from the start?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

Since you are interested in a Specialty, check out the Psychiatric Nursing forum listed below.

I am sure there are Nursing Students and Current Psych Nurses that can answer your questions. Be sure to do research first on the forum to see if your question has already been asked and answered. Good luck. :D

https://allnurses.com/forums/f46/

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

hi, psychnurse101! welcome to allnurses. here is some information about psychiatric nursing that you can check out on the internet.

http://www.apna.org/ - this is the website of the american psychiatric nurses association, the national organization for psychiatric nurses. this is an information page at their website about what psychiatric nursing is http://www.apna.org/faq/aboutnursing.html and a page of links to other information about nursing you might find interesting http://www.apna.org/resources/links.html

basically, you need to get a license in nursing first. then, you would look for employment in a psychiatric nursing facility or on a psychiatric unit in an acute hospital. with a bsn or and in nursing and a specific required work history as a psychiatric rn you can qualify to take the national exam to become certified as a psychiatric and mental health nurse.

you can also go on to higher education (masters and doctorate levels) and specialize specifically in psychiatric nursing. there is national certification for nurse practitioners who have completed these advanced nursing degrees in

  • adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner
  • child and adolescent psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner
  • family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner

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