Deb117

Relocating to Greenville area soon (IF I can find a job), and am wondering what things are like for psych nurses (as far as facilities, job openings, etc.). If anyone has any info, I sure would appreciate it! Thank you!

I don't think nurses will EVER have much trouble finding jobs... at least not anytime soon. I know now is not the best time to find a job, even in nursing, but if you're willing to be a little flexible (and especially if you're willing to relocate), I really think you'll be fine. When I started nursing school in the early 90's, there was a "shortage," and they were saying nurses had their pick of jobs. Well, by '94, when I graduated from nursing school, I remember one of my professors telling us if we got a job offer, we would be very fortunate. That was in Tennessee (Nashville area). I applied for EVERYTHING, and WAS offered a job, but before I could start, we found out we were moving to FL. Got to Pensacola, and heard the same thing... there just wasn't a nursing shortage anymore. I called around, and nursing recruiters basically told me they had plenty of experienced nurses to choose from, so I'd probably have to start in med/surg. So, I did..... I took a job in a nursing home, and shortly thereafter, a hospital called offering me a position on a medical unit. I am glad it happened that way, because I got some great basic experience under my belt, and within a few years, I wasn't a "new nurse" anymore, and things got a little better as far as job opportunities in various specialities. PLUS, the nursing shortage was starting all over again. SOOOO... what I'm saying is you may not have any job you want falling into your lap, but get your experience, work hard, and it WILL pay off. And you WILL find jobs out there. Maybe not your dream job, but jobs are out there. At least that's MY 2cents.... Maybe others have other opinions???

Great - thanks so much!!!!

Hey, Christine - That's awesome - lots of info! Yeh, I'm in sorta the same boat.... about my house. Need to sell, but won't bring as much as I put into it, so thinking about renting it out for a few years until the market's better. Right now I'm trying to finish painting and getting my house ready (for selling or renting or whatever), and then my son starts college in the fall, and I'll probably move to Atlanta sometime around then. No problem at all with answering any nursing questions you have - would be glad to! I will email you at your email address.......look for me! :)

Thanks Christine! I'll definitely miss the beaches, but there isn't much of a job market here (unless you're a nurse - ha), and it will be nice having more choices! Where in Atlanta area do you live? I'd like a nice, safe area, that isn't too expensive.... probably too much to ask, right? Thanks again!!!

Thanks Finally2008 for the Ridgeview suggestion - will look into that one, also! :) I'm really not sure where I'll be living... My sister lives in Alpharetta, but it seems a little expensive! Although I guess I don't have much to compare it to since I haven't really looked at other areas yet.... I'm moving from Pensacola, FL, btw..... Any suggestions on areas of Atlanta are welcome, also!

It's pretty easy to transfer license to another state - I just got my GA license this week. It took about 6 weeks to get it. You have to fill out an application, show proof of working as an RN, but it's not too complicated. Every state is different and has different requirements, but not a big deal. Ga is the first board of nursing that ever required a passport size photo - ha! I like psych because it is just fascinating to me - I've always been interested in people and what makes them "tick"..... and I've also always felt I'm really helping people in this area of nursing. AND I will say it's never boring! :) Mental illness still has such a stigma attached to it, and I guess I feel people with mental illness deserve the respect everyone else with any illness deserves.... I've met wonderful people in this field (both the staff AND the patients)!

Thank you so much for that info - I have seen the name and will check Peachford out! Good luck with your pursuit of nursing, also! Deb

Hi - will be relocating to the Atlanta area soon. Is anyone in the mental health field? Looking for good psych facilities/hospitals in the Atlanta area - any info would be appreciated!!!

Thanks so much, Whispera - that helps tremendously!!!

Hello! I am currently studying to take the certification exam for psychiatric-mental health nurse through the ANCC. Has anyone taken this test? Was it horribly difficult? Was there alot of focus on meds, theory/learning stages? I am studying the manual (the one the ANCC sells), but not sure what to focus on? Any advice would be most welcome! :typing

I really appreciate the info and encouragement... I need all I can get!

Hi. I have been a nurse for 10 years. I originally wanted to work in either L&D or NICU, and just because nothing was available for new grads, I ended up in med/surg, then OR for a short stent, and now I've been in psych nursing for 3 years. I really want to go back into something a little more "clinical" and have finally learned of a new opportunity at a teaching hospital here for a 12-week training course for L&D. For you L&D nurses out there, any words of advice? Is there a certain personality type that you think does best in this type nursing? Anything I should do / read to prepare me? Am I in over my head coming from a med/surg & psych background? I'm feeling very insecure!