Psyc nurse to Med/Surg....How?!

[muzzy, RN]

Soon I will be a new graduate and have to commit 2.5 years to a psyc unit, because they paid for me to go to school. (I am so very grateful)

I am wondering if anyone has some good advice or tips on steps they have taken to go from one speciality to another after 2-3 years. I like psyc, but don't know if I will be in it for the long haul. Any feedback will be appreciated. Thanks:cool:

[blkgurlwithwings]

May I ask details...school, hospital. I would love to have had someone pay...maybe grad school? I agree with the need to diversify, but don't have any experience to help you with other than what folks told me. There will always be a need for M/S nurses. They are the soldiers. With the psych background you will bring to the table after 2 years, you should be able to transfer seamlessly into whatever specialty you wish. Please share with me how I can help others find out about your program. Thanks!

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

Its very nice that you are appreciative of the help your facility gave you and congratulations on finishing school! I think it depends on your area but around here there are a lot of orientation programs usually focused on new grads but also available for seasoned nurses that want to make a speciality change. They usually start up 2 or 3 times a year and run for varying time frames. Check around in your area to see what might be available. Keep us posted.

[muzzy, RN]

May I ask details...school, hospital. I would love to have had someone pay...maybe grad school? I agree with the need to diversify, but don't have any experience to help you with other than what folks told me. There will always be a need for M/S nurses. They are the soldiers. With the psych background you will bring to the table after 2 years, you should be able to transfer seamlessly into whatever specialty you wish. Please share with me how I can help others find out about your program. Thanks!

Right now they have a program for current employees who have all prerequisites completed. From this point they are go through an application process and the employer selects about 6 people for an 18 month accelerated Associates RN. This is through OHCC in Oregon and Portland Community College, you will find more info at OHCC.org and I am in the N2K nursing program. hope that helps.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I worked 5 years in psych and was downsized, and went to med-surg. I was given a complete med-surg orientation of many weeks. It was very thorough and I felt comfortable working med-surg after it. I believe any time you change specialities, an orientation is to be expected. I've also worked many places. I was always given orientation time and a preceptor or two.

[kerouac01]

morificea, where is the psych unit in Oregon that you'll have to commit to for 2.5 years? I'm looking to move to Oregon in spring and am wanting to do psych. I know they're building the new state psych hospital in Salem, but that's about all I've seen as far as psych goes. Thanks for posting!

[muzzy, RN]

kerouac 1,

It is the state hospital. Look at the N2K program at OHCC.org. That will give you some info.

[kerouac01]

thanks morificea! I've been a nurse for a few years, so I'm looking more for hospital info rather than the N2K program. So did you end up doing some clinicals there at the state hospital? What did you think of it? I'd posted some questions about the state hospital before, but no one had ever replied. Can I hear what you think of it? The recruiter there that I spoke to said their biggest need is in forensics on the night shift. I know they're building a huge new psych hospital there, so I thought it'd be cool to get in on that before it's up at running. I'd be greatful for any info you can give me. Thanks for the help!

[LeavingTeaching4RN]

I worked 5 years in psych and was downsized, and went to med-surg. I was given a complete med-surg orientation of many weeks. It was very thorough and I felt comfortable working med-surg after it. I believe any time you change specialities, an orientation is to be expected. I've also worked many places. I was always given orientation time and a preceptor or two.

When you transferred to med-surg, were you paid the same salary as a med-surg nurse with 5 years of experience?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

My transfer was within the same hospital. We got paid by years of experience as a nurse, not by years in a specialty, so yes, I got paid the same as the med/surg nurses with the same number of years of experience as me.