psych is so hard to break into...

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

I've posted here before on this topic. I'm a BSN with a BA in psych. I currently work in private care with a dementia care patient and part time at an urgent care clinic. I have been actively applying and (quite aggressively) reaching out to every hospital in my area (Miami-Ft. Lauderdale) with a behavioral health program. Almost every single hospital is hiring but, almost every single hospital states under their requirements that they desire at least 1 year acute psych hospital experience."

What can I do about this? What certifications could I get without any experience in the filed that might be appealing to hiring managers? Could I volunteer/shadow? Is there anything any of you could recommend that would give me chance to get my foot in the door?

One of the greatest things about the field of nursing, in my opinion, is the wealth and diversity of specialties. It's disheartening that hospitals are so closed off to training. I have the passion. I have the background and education. I simply lack the experience which I cannot get if hospitals won't hire folks like me.

Thanks in advance. I really am willing to do what it takes and feel like I need a fresh approach

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Leave Florida?

Seriously. Maybe Florida just has a shortage of mental health patients... sunshine and all, but elsewhere psych nurses with a psychology background would be offered a position with the red carpet rolled out.

Places in this area actively looking for psychiatric mental health nurses:

HCA

Presbyterian/Texas Health Resources

JPS

UT Southwestern

Methodist

Baylor

Parkland

DSHS (Terrell State Hospital, Kerrville State Hospital, Vernon State Hospital... etc)

So, chances are that you are either working in a saturated market (nurses like sunshine, beaches, and Jimmy Buffet), or you're knocking on the wrong doors. I would suggest knocking on the doors of the state, county, city mental health services. If they're anything like Texas, they will be more than happy to have you work for them. Caveat: the salaries may be lower than what you're expecting, but you're looking for that golden year of service, not a life-long commitment to civil service.

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Specializes in ICU.

I was able to find a psych job quite easily. Are you willing to relocate? Try NM or TX. Or else, perhaps try applying to other RN positions in the hospitals you are interested in. That might open doors for transferring to the mental health unit if you are already an employee.

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Leave Florida?

Seriously. Maybe Florida just has a shortage of mental health patients... sunshine and all, but elsewhere psych nurses with a psychology background would be offered a position with the red carpet rolled out.

Places in this area actively looking for psychiatric mental health nurses:

HCA

Presbyterian/Texas Health Resources

JPS

UT Southwestern

Methodist

Baylor

Parkland

DSHS (Terrell State Hospital, Kerrville State Hospital, Vernon State Hospital... etc)

So, chances are that you are either working in a saturated market (nurses like sunshine, beaches, and Jimmy Buffet), or you're knocking on the wrong doors. I would suggest knocking on the doors of the state, county, city mental health services. If they're anything like Texas, they will be more than happy to have you work for them. Caveat: the salaries may be lower than what you're expecting, but you're looking for that golden year of service, not a life-long commitment to civil service.

Thank you so much for your thorough and thoughtful reply. I agree with every point that you made and I think it's a combination of all of them. I would absolutely love nothing more than to leave Florida but for right now I must stay put to be with my parents who are of an advanced age.

This entire process has been very humbling as I honestly thought it would be pretty easy to get into psych nursing, considering it's not a very sought after specialty and I do have a desire and background. The market is very saturated, you are correct, and I think that a lot of psych nurses stay put. Still the "required" experience across the board is really annoying.

I am going to heed your advice and look into state county and city areas rather meet in traditional inpatient or outpatient hospital settings.

Again thank you for your reply all the best to you

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I was able to find a psych job quite easily. Are you willing to relocate? Try NM or TX. Or else, perhaps try applying to other RN positions in the hospitals you are interested in. That might open doors for transferring to the mental health unit if you are already an employee.

Thank you. Relocating may be an option down the road but not right now. I have considered working in another department and transferring, yes. Solid advice. Thank you!

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Perhaps try inpatient psych that is not a hospital?

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Perhaps try inpatient psych that is not a hospital?

You mean like a free standing psych hospital? If so, yes, have applied. There are 2 big ones in my area and they are constantly hiring. They are even strict, requiring at least 3 years patient experience and then I want you to be CPI certified coming in.

I wish i was making this stuff up...

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.

Have you tried Plantation General. They hired me when I had no hospital experience. Their job board stated 1 year of hospital experience required, but I applied anyway and then I called HR to let them know I was really interested. My background was in inpatient drug rehab.

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Oh cool. Thanks so much for that heads up. I've not seen a job posting from them yet. I did go on the company website and do not see one there either. But I jotted down the HR number and will call to see if there are any opportunities. Thanks so much.

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I am a Psych Nurse in Tampa,I moved here three months ago and cannot find a job in Psych for the life of me, I was rejected by a Psych hospital/clinic ,had another interview 2 weeks ago and I haven't heard back from the recruiter even though I emailed her asking about it three days ago. That same recruiter also scheduled another interview for me but emailed me the night before to let me know that it had been cancelled.

I was employed in Psych for 10 years in PR and I thought it'd be easy to get a job here with all of my experience.

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You mean like a free standing psych hospital? If so, yes, have applied. There are 2 big ones in my area and they are constantly hiring. They are even strict, requiring at least 3 years patient experience and then I want you to be CPI certified coming in.

I wish i was making this stuff up...

No, I'm talking about an inpatient place with lower acuity patients than a hospital. I'm not familiar with your area, but Google Windmoor in Clearwater for an example

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The VA hospitals and outpatient clinics have psych...maybe look here USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site for one near you

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