NP Psych opportunies

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Reading the posts related to a master's degree from another field and transitioning into nursing, I feel I am in the same boat, in some way. I have been a med-surg/critical care/long term care nurse for decades and have a Master's in Nursing Ed. Now I am completing a NP in Psych and I feel like a fish out of water although I am loving it. Would people hire a person like me who has little experience in the psych field? I am confident that I can do it but the structure, the language and all kinds of unspoken knowings are all new to me.

Sonya

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I bet that after your required clinical time (usually about 600 hours), you'll feel more comfortable. Another thing to do might be to shadow several psych APN's to give you an idea of what kind of jobs are available and then plan your clinical time accordingly. Good luck.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

It might also be helpful to be able express what drew you to psych as your NP specialty. I'm certain you must have had more unofficial experience with psych patients than you're giving yourself credit for :). Reflect on your exposures to the psych pt in your other areas of expertise. The other stuff will come with experience; right now you start selling yourself and how your previous career incarnations have led you to this place. Good luck!!!

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