canuck19

I am not a nurse yet but I know what you're talking about. I had a relative in the psychiatric ward a few months ago that I visited frequently. I've never realized how badly funded the psychiatric units are, not only that but I couldn't help but notice the lack of interest from the nurses. They ignored patients, talked to themselves at the nurses centre while patients waited eagerly at the door. At some points the common room would be completely full of patients and no nurses, nursing aids etc would be in sight! Are all hospitals, wards etc like this? There are a few nurses who I became very friendly with and I could see had a genuine interest in their career but I would say the majority seemed as if they wished they were somewhere else...

Thank you for answering my question!

I want to go back to University/College in September or next year and I've been trying to do some research as to what the best options would be. I have already been to school for something that I don't want to do, and don't want to waste any more time or money on something that I will fall out of love with. I know that I really want to work with people. I'm compassionate, caring and a good listener. Recently I've found myself researching Psychiatric Nursing. I've looked into the schools in my area that offer a BSN program and there are only 2. One of my main concerns is that I would ideally like some thing that would be transferrable, if I ever decided to go back for more schooling to get my Masters or widen my career path. Unfortunately I already know that 1 of these 2 schools is not transferrable. Basically I would like to ask 2 questions... 1. What education path would you suggest in my scenario? I am in Western Canada and noticed that not a lot of schools even offer Psych nursing degrees. Do you think I'm being over cautious and that a BSN would give me enough options as it is? I really want to have a career that will give me a lot of flexibility and "laddering". If I find something that I love and I do it for the rest of my life then that is fine...but I am worried that I will limit myself again as I did with my first Diploma. 2. I've been reading a lot on here and have noticed that some people are Care Practitioners and some are Nurses. What are the differences? What type of school, etc?