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 ?

I was a psych nurse on an adolescent unit...kind of hoping I can go back to it ? I agree with and echo what the other posters said. Pros and cons of working nights: Pros...they are teenagers, they will sleep for the most part, and no administration to deal with ? BUT, the Con...the unit I was on tended to get a lot of admissions at night which is hard if you are the only nurse. It's not "easy" but medically...it is. We had a few diabetics, lice and scabies, wounds from suicide attempts, eating disorders...but mostly they were medically pretty healthy. I say give it a try...you will know pretty quickly that you either absolutely love or hate it.

My interview is Monday...I guess we'll see what they're looking for. My resume is very straightforward and they can see exactly what experience and education I have, and don't have. I have received very mixed comments here and elsewhere from seasoned school nurses, as to my fitness for the job. I certainly hope they are not going to waste my time on an interview if they don't see things in my resume that seem relevant...I am taking off my current job to do the interview, if nothing else...anyway, thanks for the comments.

I have always been very interested in psychology, psychiatry, mental illness, and behavior. Long story short, I went to nursing school straight out of high school, absolutely hated it...didn't finish. But I did fall in love with psych during my psych clinicals and knew that was what I wanted to do in some way, shape, or form. Many years later, I was finally able to complete a psychology degree and a Master's in counseling. THEN I ended up going back and finishing nursing school, for the same reasons you have chosen it...for job security. I still don't love the nursing field in general...the way nurses are often treated, etc. but I have found a good balance between being a nurse and staying in psychology/counseling...psych nursing. I have tried a few other things, but don't enjoy them as much. Love the patients, don't mind the dirty aspects of nursing, but my interest always returns to the psych aspect. I completely relate to the feeling that that is what you feel you are meant to do. Feel free to PM me if you would like. I would definitely encourage you to follow your gut ?

I found the NCLEX to be phenomenally easier than nursing school itself. I cut off at 75 questions in (if I remember correctly) about 45 minutes.

I would appreciate any tips for an interview for above-mentioned position. My "specialty" is psych, with strong experience in adolescent psych. Also have experience with developmentally disabled patients, as a former social worker. Most recently I have been an RN supervisor with a home care company (not home health...personal care and homemaking company). I am not even sure if my experience is ideal, but I figure they see some merit in my background to have even scheduled an interview ? Are there any school nurses out there...who think I might be lacking in the med/surg type skills department, for this position? Or would I just be trained on specific students' needs? Actually as a coordinator, I am not even sure how much hands-on nursing I would expect to be doing ?

IMO the most important thing you need to learn/receive training for is the safety issues in a psych facility. How to recognize evolving/escalating behaviors and situations and what to do to diffuse them and not get attacked, how to participate in restraining, transporting, and medicating a violent patient. You should receive this training to some extent in your orientation period if you are in a decent facility. Familiarize yourself with the most common diagnoses and pharmacology if you are not already. I had the advantage of having been a mental health counselor before becoming a psych nurse, so I had a leg up on how to interact, interview, etc. but it's not rocket science...if you have a passion for this population, you will learn what works as you go ?

I have worked with all psych populations and I loved (mostly!) the adolescents. Yes, the parents (if there ARE any) are usually as bad as the kids. IMO the adolescent population is more difficult than the adults...I always laughed at nurses who scoffed at how easy the adolescent unit was, and then cried like little babies when they were pulled to the unit ?

I am considering applying for an ADON position at a corrections facility but honestly I am not sure specifically what that entails. I meet their general criteria but it is vague. I have a strong background in psych/behavioral health and I currently work in a psych crisis stabilization hospital, so honestly, I am weak with med/surg skills other than 02, light wound care, PO and IM meds, diabetes mgmt. Would I be unprepared/underqualified as an ADON? Is this more of a clinical position, management, or a mix? (I know that NONE of the management where I currently work have very strong clinical skills). Also any guesses what the schedule would look like...? I am thinking weekdays, holidays off type thing (unless there's a true dire emergency). I may be way off. Again that is how it is in my current psych facility. Shame me if you will, but this is really what I am looking for at this point, and yet I love psych and would like to stay in the field if at all possible.

I adore Psych Nursing, and pray I never have to do anything else. I have supportive management for the most part, I am not micro-managed, I don't get scolded or treated like a child on the rare occasion I legitimately have to call in sick, or if I don't answer my phone on my day off if they call to see if I can come in. My co-workers are truly like family...unlike most other nursing, you need to have a close rapport with your co-workers and all be on the same page to manage a milieu environment successfully. I never dread going to work, and some days I actually look forward to it...but I used to get physically sick in the other environments I've worked in because of management and co-worker B.S. In my psych hospital, I feel like I am treated like a professional and that my opinions and input matter. I love that when I'm off, I'm OFF. No on-call and no work to do at home. Co-workers get together outside work, help each other outside work, etc. People that are drawn to psych are awesome people for the most part, and are a joy to work with, not as stressed out, or out for themselves, as I have witnessed in other areas. The worst day I have had in psych was still FAR better than my "good" days in other types of nursing (I have done home health and hospice, and of course saw a lot of different areas in school). As far as the patient care itself, kids on the adolescent unit are usually pretty healthy, so rarely are there any "med-surg" type issues to deal with. Even on the adult units you may have a rare pt. on O2 or with a colostomy but they usually can manage things themselves. You will need to stay sharp on your BLS as we do have a code once in a while and it can be difficult to respond appropriately if you're not in practice. We don't even have many psych codes because we do a good job of managing the pts. and de-escalating them before it becomes an emergency. You will be managing behaviors, and you have to figure out if you like that or you don't. If you are understanding, compassionate and love helping pts. with mental illness, you will love it. If you don't, you won't last any time. You will know very quickly which side you are on Good luck finding your niche, it makes all the difference in the world!!

on a resume or in an interview, how would I explain the following situation in the most positive way possible: Graduated from nursing school about a year ago. First job was part-time/no benefits, employer knew I wanted full-time & hired me anyway. Left that job after a short time for a full-time position which paid well, good place to work overall, etc. After there about 6 months, I was recruited by another company which promised me the moon & stars, even better pay, much less travel, family-friendly schedule, good training, etc. After several weeks of being recruited by them I took the job (stupid, stupid, stupid!!!!). It turned out to be the worst disaster EVER and I have since resigned from there and I am currently unemployed. (It happened to be Amedisys who I should have known not to go to work for but that is for another thread I guess...) So I have 3 months at one job, changed jobs for a much better position and was there about 6 months, but now have this 3rd job I either have to completely leave off my resume (I was only there a few weeks) or find myself having to explain what happened and I don't see ANY way to explain it even vaguely and not say negative things about them. It involved an extreme bully who sets out to utterly ruin nurses she decides she has a problem with which apparently has been the majority of nurses they have hired. So I have a lot of good references but not a great-looking work history so far. Should I leave Amedisys off my resume and just forego the couple months' experience I gained there, so that I don't have to juggle trying to explain that place?? So far I have just been saying I quit job #2 for a better position which "fell through" and have not been to any interviews yet so I have not had to explain details of what "fell through" means. WWYD??? Thanks for your input