elijah

Hi, Since I'm seriously entertaining the idea of becoming a psych nurse, I'd like to shadow a pscyh nurse to see if this is for me. How does one go about doing this? Simply calling up a hospital and asking "can I shadow one of your nurses?" doesn't work. Advice for how to do this for hospitals in Hartford or New Haven, CT? Thanks!

Hi, I'm making a career transition in order to become a therapist. I'm considering three tracks: 1) APRN with a speciality in psych counseling. 2) A masters in social work (MSW). 3) MFT certificate. I'm mainly motivated to work with mostly functional adults, children, or couples. In my dream scenario I'd like to hang my own "shingle," and work independently as a therapist in a West coast city (e.g., San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Portland, OR). I might even want to move to New Zealand or somewhere where Dubya doesn't show up on the radar screen. I have been told that I shouldn't pursue an APRN because I'm mainly interested in providing therapy--not full body health care. However, the APRN track attracts me for the following reasons: 1) It is easier to find work in the city of your choice. 2) The pay is higher (I have worked in non-profits my whole life...and I'd like to start a family before I'm 40...I'm now 30). 3) There are many more tracks to pursue than an MSW or MFT (for example, suppose I can't hang my own shingle so easily...I'd have to find a job job). 4) It seems like it would be easier to build a group of clients as APRN than as an independent MSW or as an MFT. Any advice would be very appreciated! For example, would I have a lot of discretion over the kinds of clients that I would treat as an APRN? I'm not opposed to the idea of working in a hospital for my first few years...but not long term. I would like to be an independent practioner ASAP. Regards, Elijah [email protected] :)