New Student this fall, I want to do psych!

[Doc_Holliday]

In a few short weeks I will be starting my ADN program. Then in 18 months that I am sure will fly by, I will be an RN. I want to have something on my resume to set myself apart from the pack. I have a BS in Biology, so I am hoping someone may find merit in that, but I will not bank on it. While I am open to change after doing my clinicals, my primary interest is psych. I would like to find something relevant to do while in school to gain some unique experience. I am thinking about asking the professor who does the mental health clinical if she is doing any research, perhaps she needs a research assistant. My hard science degree prepared me well for anything related to research, so I am inclined to it. I will apply for CNA jobs after the first semester, but I would like something different from what everyone else will be doing. Anyone who has any ideas, I would appreciate the advice. I am excited for what the coming year will bring!

[TerpGal02, ASN]

If you're really interested in psych, I would suggest you try to get a position as a mental health tech during school. This way, you will get your feet wet in the specialty and see if you really like it. I could also help you get a foot in the door at that particular facility.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I love it when students are interested in the dark side :)

I second TerpGal's advice: get a job as a psych tech during school so you can see firsthand what the specialty is like.

Also be sure to get all that you can out of your psych clinical. Ask questions, get involved, be active. Too often I see nursing students show up to psych clinical with no interest or motivation since psych isn't what they want to do--they all want L&D, ED or ICU--so they're just showing up to get it over with. Little do they realize that psych patients are everywhere and they could learn a lot of valuable skills...anyhow, if you show up to psych and aren't interested or don't even care, there's not much I can do for you.

Meanwhile, it always excites me whenever I see students that want to do psych, or are at least seriously considering the specialty. For them, I do all that I can for them to get the most out of their experience. You'll be pros at IMs by the time you leave my care :)

If possible, try to land your senior preceptorship/practicum in psych too...if you aren't able to, don't stress: it's not a deal-breaker for getting a psych job--I'm proof of that.

[Juli4310]

I completely agree, working as a tech is an invaluable experience and gives you great insight into the world of mental health. I worked as a tech while I was obtaining my LPN and it just confirmed me decision to go into mental health nursing, now I'm staying while I work towards my BSN!! It takes a special breed(as does any field of nursing) just remember that.

[algebra_demystified]

Even more important, working as a tech will teach you what the techs are supposed to do. How would you know what to look for if a group of techs are complaining about another tech? It's important to have a way to figure out who is reliable and trustworthy. There's no substitute for time on the floor. If you have a couple years' experience as a tech before applying to RN jobs that will help quite a bit in getting your first job.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

A piece of advice, from one who has been there and done it: Don't go directly from nursing school into mental health. It closes a lot of doors, as many employers assume that if you work in mental health, you can't do anything else. I went straight into mental health, because there was a nursing surplus when I graduated, and that was where the job was. Five years later, after the mental health facility I was working in was closed by the parent company, I found myself with five years supervisory RN experience and drawing unemployment compensation, unable to even get an interview. I finally landed a job almost six months later, at less than I was making as a psychiatric charge nurse.

Get that magical one year of medical experience and hone your technical skills. It will serve you well later, even if psychiatric nursing remains your ultimate goal. I enjoyed working mental health. I just wish that I had better prepared myself for the job market.

[LisalaRN99, BSN, RN]

Many psych units/hospitals require at least a year of med/surg nursing. I believe this is important to hone your basic nursing skills. After that, come on over to psych! Love it!!