what is the pay for psychic nurse vs er nurse

Published

I'm pursing a second career. My first career focused on mental health and I loved the people and the job. Unfortunately, the pay is not well. So, I'm pursing a second degree in nursing, but would like to combine my love for the mental health field and my new career. My question is does working for the psychic area pay better than a rn in the hospital?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A psychic nurse would be awesome! ;)

I don't believe that they pay scales are any different. You can get certs in ED that would lead to higher pay. I don't know about Psych.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I actually get paid more than the new grads that started out in the ED orientation programs. There are advanced certs for psych nurses also but I'm not sure how much the increase your pay, if any.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

Nurses are paid much more than most other careers working in MH. If you loved working in MH, you probably won't be happy working in any other field of nursing. Many nurses do not want to work in psych, so there tends to be more of a shortage in psych than in other nursing areas. Salaries vary depending on the facility and area of the country, but I believe salaries within a hospital are about the same regardless of which area you work in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If the RNs are union at the hospital you're looking at, pay will probably be just about the same...based on seniority of course.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work in the ER, and receive Critical Care pay which is 2 bucks more an hour than non critical care nursing

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

My experience from working various places is that if you work in a general hospital that happens to have a psych unit, you'll be paid the same as other nurses who have been nurses the same amount of time as you have. If you work in a free-standing psych hospital, it's very possible you'll be paid less than nurses working in nearby general hospitals.

My experience is in northern Indiana.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I need a psychic nurse, too! Cool!

Seriously, though. Go to www.salary.com. Enter your zip code and "RN" or "nurse" in the appropriate fields. There, you can compare average salaries for all the various nursing specialties.

I don't graduate until May, but want to enter into psych, too. I understand that the psych-specific hospitals (state ones, anyway) in my area start anywhere from 60-62K, which ain't too shabby in my book! (Compared to what other mental health workers are paid.)

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

I have found that RN's in medical hospitals tend to earn a little more than in psych hospitals....I have worked in both, but the small pay cut is worth it to me to be able to work in psych, which I love.....

OR and ER nurses tend to have the highest salaries.....

and they deserve it !!! God Bless them !!

If you love mental health, then go for it...salary is just fine...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion