Zookeeper44

Thanks for the response, I understand! BTW I am also a psych person, have a BA in psych and Master's in Counseling, after which I got an ASN (seems really weird, I know...) But I also saw that GSU has an RN (ASN) to MSN bridge program. My concern might be whether that bridge program might still be there when needed, programs seem to come and go ?. So I guess if you have a very specific school you plan to go to for the DNP, that is some super good planning and I get it. The friend I am asking for has a biology degree, and is now also taking some further nursing pre-reqs, so she would just have to take the actual nursing courses for the ASN. I guess I was curious because I have never had a problem getting jobs with my ASN, even though I am aware of the attempted "push" towards more BSNs in hospitals. Well good luck to you in your future endeavors, like I told my friend, there will be a LOT of crying ??, no sleep, and some new physical ailments (stress-related) but it will be worth it if you want it.

I am an RN, but I am actually replying to help a friend who has applied to this program (I will recommend this forum to her). Do you mind my asking how you chose Mercer vs. Ga State (Perimeter), given the huge price difference? Or any other programs you may have considered. I think the Mercer program sounds favorable due to online classes, more ability to study independently, more flexibility, ability to at least work some part time during the day time. Also being a smaller, private school seems nice. Also it looks like she could be working as an RN at least a year earlier than with other programs, so she could recoup the price difference I suppose. Her end goal is to be an NP, if that matters. Thanks!

If I had it to do all over again, from say the age of 20-21, I would probably not become a nurse. Actually, my first year and a half of college right out of high school was nursing school, and it didn't go well for multiple reasons. However, while in psych nursing clinical, I fell in love with psych. At that point, I wanted to switch over to a psych major and then pursue a PhD. I did not have that opportunity, so didn't finish my bachelor's until much later. Ideally, I would have gone straight through to PhD and done research or possibly clinical psychologist at the time I was first in college. Given the particular circumstances I had to work with...I still often regret my choice to NOT pursue the PhD opportunities that presented themselves in my early 30's...but as llg said...I have made the best of it and it has served my family pretty well, which for me is the real reason I work. FWIW...IMO, psych is unique as far as the type of personalities that seem to be attracted to work in that field. They seem to *generally* be a little kinder, easier to work with, more team players (you HAVE to be in psych or you'll get hurt), more sense of humor...etc. The docs are even easier to work with. Feel free to PM me if you have any more specific ?'s, and good luck to you!

I feel like I had sort of a similar path. Took me til in my early 30's to complete 1st degree (psychology). Very interested in doing academia/research, got accepted to several PhD programs. Ended up getting master's in counseling instead (quicker, easier, many more realistic job options). Later got nursing degree and did psych nursing (trying to get back to it) because it deals a little more with the biological aspect, and because it pays more. To me it is the most pragmatic of the choices, as the research field takes years to get into and then you are extremely limited as to where you can work. You can make $75,000-$80,000 easily (that's in GA) for 40 hours/week, after a few years' experience as a psych RN. I didn't "want" to be a nurse, either, but if stability is what is important to you, it is a good route if you can keep things in perspective. I would never want to be any other type of nurse than psych. From what I know of the NPs in psych, they are being utilized mostly for med management, h & p's in the hospital. No therapy.

Stick with the hospital you want to be with. Yes, you can move around fairly easily.

May I ask, what lead to your leaving this position and going inpatient? I have considered trying out a position like this (although they very rarely open up in my area). I am currently in the position of deciding whether to go back to psych nursing either inpatient or something like this. Thanks ?

I agree that you do NOT "have" to ever work med/surg. I also do not agree that you will be "locked into" psych if you start there. Hospitals hire new grads to M/S all the time, I don't know why they wouldn't hire you onto a M/S unit at a later time after you have several years' experience in whatever other specialty. In fact, I know personally of one former co-worker who did exactly that (she absolutely despised the M/S, but felt she "had" to do it for herself). I think if you like what you are doing right now, don't worry so much about the future, it will take care of itself.

Even with that being the rule, you said you opened it while she watched, so I don't get it. Probably because she knew SHE was on camera and had to follow the policy to the letter of the law ? Congratulations on passing, it's all behind you now ?

This is perfect. I say there is no shame in having the ability to recognize when something is not a good fit, and move forward. Personally, I was hired 6 months out of nursing school to do home health...it was absolutely HORRIBLE in every way...THEY should have not hired me, but they were taking any warm body that came along. And on top of me not having the required skills, experience, or knowledge...they berated me about anything and everything, daily. It was crazy. I got out FAST. Don't give up on psych, you will probably love being a psych staff nurse.

Will it make that big of a difference in the grand scheme of your career, to find something different for the next year while you complete your BSN? You already have 5 years' in CCU, and the certification. Is the 6th year in CCU going to make or break your options later? You need a mental health break for sure.

BSN is a type of college degree, not a license or a title. Once you have a degree conferred by a college/university, it is permanently yours, regardless of what else you do or do not do afterward. If the person with the BSN then passed the NCLEX, they would BE an RN. You can't BE a BSN, you HAVE a BSN. I have an M.Ed., for which I could also take a state board to get my LPC, which I have never done. But I sure do use my M.Ed. in my credentials. Like another poster stated though, the BSN is not as "useable" without actually becoming an RN, as nursing is not as generalizable as my M.Ed. If had a BSN, but was not an RN, I don't believe I would put BSN on my badge.

Oh honey...you and I both know lots of nurses who think they are so superior to psych nurses...who would run crying like little girls after 30 minutes of actually having to do psych ?

Ok...will get back to you on that!

I was a psych nurse (still consider myself one) and left almost 2 years ago for an RN Supervisor position in Home Care. I hate it...I really regret leaving psych and am trying to get back to it or possibly school nursing. I totally get the unfulfilling part of administrative work, it is ALLLL about numbers and money 24/7 ? Not my cup of tea. Psych is both frustrating and fulfilling, you will have people you are really able to help and some you can't...but the facility where I was, you had a lot of opportunity to talk to and interact with patients, not like floor nursing. I worked psych for 8+ years, had to help with quite a few takedowns/holds/restraints, gave a lotta PRN's for agitation, but have never been directly attacked. I guess I was good at ducking ?

??? That's a lotta kids ?