BuzzyAllyBee

Thank you for this thorough and thoughtful response! I love hearing about your experiences and journey, especially the different areas within psych. The more time I've spent in the ER, the more I am realizing I think I just needed to know I *could* do it. I am learning a lot, and gaining confidence, which I needed more than anything. However, I am still drawn to the true psych patients we encounter, and everything continues to pull me that direction as I head towards graduation. I've received a lot of wonderful insight on here and other forums, where 99% of people have encouraged me to pursue what I know I want. Of course my own insecurities surrounding what is "expected" or seen as "traditional" take hold at times, but, overall, I am filled with excitement about the prospect of entering this area. I find myself consuming all I can about the nursing and patient experiences, and look forward to the challenge and fulfillment of this specialty. Now to figure out where to start...

Thanks for your input! I've also seen that very few corrections positions through the state or county require experience. Like you, I would definitely love more first hand information from those who are working in either setting, or other areas of psych! I've gotten some good feedback on other forums, thankfully!

Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience! Your path is one I could see myself on. Nursing is also my second career, which I think has some benefits. I have had one person say they are a better psych nurse due to having extensive med/surg experience, as they were able to better assess and identify medical issues in psych patients. Do you feel at a disadvantage or that you have struggled without that experience?

Hi! I am in the final stretch of nursing school (Sacramento region of California, though will eventually be in the LA area), and trying to decide where to start my career. My goal is to work with underserved/vulnerable populations (especially loving my time working with the unhoused), specifically with a psych, and possibly forensics, emphasis. This is why I went to nursing school, and my passion for it has only grown. I am just not sure where the best place to begin is. I am considering a new grad position in an ER, in order to get some traditional medical experience. I have enjoyed my rotations in the ER, but, in all honesty, I would only be doing this after being told I am basically worthless and unmarketable as a nurse if I don't have at least a year of bedside to work on my "skills". It drives me insane how psych, community health, all non-traditional nursing areas, etc are looked down upon and undervalued. I do have a lot of support and encouragement from my mental health professor to jump in to psych, but I would love to hear more from people who have been in similar dilemmas as mine. Where did your journey start? Would you change anything about your path thus far? I am grateful for any thoughts, feelings and advice! Thank you!

Hi! I am in the final stretch of nursing school (Sacramento region of California), and trying to decide where to start my career. Similarly to you, my goal is to work with underserved/vulnerable populations, specifically with a psych and/or forensics emphasis. This is why I went to nursing school, and my passion for it has only grown. I have been interested in corrections as an option within this realm. I am just not sure where the smartest place to begin is. Despite being absolutely certain I do not want to work typical bedside ever, I am considering a new grad position in an ER, in order to get some traditional medical experience. I have enjoyed my rotations in the ER, but, in all honesty, I would only be doing this due to being told I am basically worthless and unmarketable as a nurse if I don't have at least a year of bedside to work on my "skills". It drives me insane how psych nursing, community health, corrections, etc is looked down upon. I do have a lot of support and encouragement from my mental health professor to jump in to psych, but I would love to hear more from people who have been in similar dilemmas as mine. Now that you've been at it for a while, would you have done anything differently? I am grateful for any thoughts, feelings and advice!