volitionx

First of all, DO note that psychology degrees are so freaking common, especially B.A.'s, that they're essentially worthless other than just being a degree. They have virtually no skills attached and no specialization (especially at a B.A. level). Those of us who have graduated from college (some of us with more than one degree) can tell you that a psych degree is a running joke among graduates. Psych is the default major for people who don't know what they want to do with their lives and want an easy and FUN degree. The courses are fascinating and easy A's, the tests are easy, the papers are interesting, but you WILL NOT get a job in psychology with a B.A. in it, and probably not even with an M.A. Why not? Because supply and demand are NOT in your favor. If you get a B.A. or even an M.A., think of the MILLIONS of people out there who currently work in the field who WILL NOT give up their job for you. Think of the tens of thousands of psych graduates that are being pumped out every Spring in graduation ceremonies across the country. You will be competing against people with MORE education, MORE experience, and MORE networking and contacts. You WILL NOT get a job in psych with a B.A.! Starbucks, sure. And you'd make more at Starbucks, BTW. Stop deluding yourself. You said you'd like to get a Ph.D in psych. Ok. Fine. But you will still be competing against TONS of people out there in a limited field, looking for jobs. You'll probably end up working in a jail with drug addicts, after you get an additional CAC certification (Certified Addiction Counselor). I work in the education field and CONSTANTLY see a stream of clueless people saying they want to be "profilers" or "therapists" or whatever because of what they saw on a TV drama. YES, some can do it and make a living, but it's RARE. Are YOU one of those rare people who will somehow break through in the field when so many others are baristas? Just because you (think) you can get a Ph.D. (maybe so, maybe not!) does NOT mean that the money will follow. There are MILLIONS of people with Ph.D's in all sorts of fields who DO NOT work in those fields. And do you have the focus and skill to write a successful Ph.D thesis of 100-300 pages and then orally defend it? I'm not saying you should stay in nursing. Not at all. That's totally up to you. But seriously, be skeptical of the old "I want to be a psychologist" trap. It's WAY more common and cliche than you think. There's a reason nearly every Miss America is "majoring is psychology" because they "want to help people and see what makes them tick," etc. Psych is largely a joke. If you want a job in a field aligned with that--that people don't mock--try psychobiology or physiology or biology.