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

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

Thanks. Appreciate it

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

Thank you. Yes, there is a large VA hospital in my area and they are hiring.

Any suggestions about certifications/training I could get that don't require me to already be working as a psych nurse? Id love to beef up my resume but I don't know what I qualify for until I start working in that specialty. I'm IV certified, BLS, and ACLS but those don't seem to hold that much weight to the hiring managers in psych.

Everyone, thank you sincerely for your help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work in Florida at a psychiatric facility. I went to nursing school specifically to be a psychiatric nurse. I started as a tech. The pay sucks, but all you need is a high school diploma. That's where I got my experience and DBT skills. It can be very "hands on" which can be scary.

Also, you may want to ask around about smaller facilities. They are usually not the best, but it will get you experience and contacts. There are a ton of detox facilities in that area and that also counts as psych. Also, I think that is sort of close to Sandy pines which is supposed to be a great facility. I work at a crisis stabilization unit that is state funded. It's not near as nice as the private hospital I came from, but it was the only one in the area and it took them 6 months to finally hire me. Just keep trying you will get something.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I work in Florida at a psychiatric facility. I went to nursing school specifically to be a psychiatric nurse. I started as a tech. The pay sucks, but all you need is a high school diploma. That's where I got my experience and DBT skills. It can be very "hands on" which can be scary.

Also, you may want to ask around about smaller facilities. They are usually not the best, but it will get you experience and contacts. There are a ton of detox facilities in that area and that also counts as psych. Also, I think that is sort of close to Sandy pines which is supposed to be a great facility. I work at a crisis stabilization unit that is state funded. It's not near as nice as the private hospital I came from, but it was the only one in the area and it took them 6 months to finally hire me. Just keep trying you will get something.

Thank you so much. I'm not giving up. It's encouraging to hear all the recommendations. Thanks again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Behavioral Health.

I'm really surprised that you're having such trouble! I'm a new grad BSN with a minor is psychology who just got hired with HCA west Florida branch. They're willing to train GN's. I did my Practicum on a psych floor on the east coast which was also a HCA facility and they were always short nurses. It's definitely not over-saturated, good nurses in psych are very much needed! Have you tried applying to the position anyway? A lot of times managers will make exceptions. The other suggestion would be to work at a facility with a psych floor and transfer over after a year. Transferring within facilities seems easier. If you're looking to add certifications, CPI has been used at every facility I've been at. I wouldn't personally recommend it, it's expensive and in my experience if a facility wants you they'll pay for you to get it. The facility I'm working for paid for me to get ACLS and CPI...and oddly enough ECCO (critical care cert) and EKG. Another one that may look good is Mental Health First Aid, a lot of places offer it for free and I had that one before being hired. If you're looking to volunteer in mental health, I would suggest some sort of crisis line. I personally volunteer at Crisis Text Line, but I have no idea if that was factored into their decision. I really got the feeling they hired me because I was passionate and a BSN. Don't give up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not from the area, but I'd say check out the government positions. Where I am, our state run mental health facilities are constantly hiring. Like new nurses and techs every month. Turnover is high and the population is intimidating. But training is in depth and if we make it a year here, we can get hired at any of the other psych units in town.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych.

What about dual diagnosis or intellectual disabled experience?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you have some extra $$ for continuing ed, trauma informed care training is a big deal. Try doing some online classes and then add them to your resume. Also very surprised that you are having trouble finding a job, Psych has a very high turnover because new grads come in without any Psych background and can't handle the stress. Don't give up! Happy to look over your resume if you want to PM me :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you have some extra $$ for continuing ed, trauma informed care training is a big deal. Try doing some online classes and then add them to your resume. Also very surprised that you are having trouble finding a job, Psych has a very high turnover because new grads come in without any Psych background and can't handle the stress. Don't give up! Happy to look over your resume if you want to PM me :-)

Thanks! I'm interested in learning more about the trauma informed care you recommend. I will PM you later. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What about dual diagnosis or intellectual disabled experience?

Very interested, actually, more so interested in dual diagnosis as I have personal experience with addiction. There are many treatment centers down south and I've had 2 interviews. Both went very well but ultimately, they ended up going with another candidate who had much more related experience with that patient population than I.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm not from the area, but I'd say check out the government positions. Where I am, our state run mental health facilities are constantly hiring. Like new nurses and techs every month. Turnover is high and the population is intimidating. But training is in depth and if we make it a year here, we can get hired at any of the other psych units in town.

Just now really exploring government positions Agree that this is where you get the hardcore experience and really can prove yourself. I'm literally exploring every avenue. Thank you so much for responding.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm really surprised that you're having such trouble! I'm a new grad BSN with a minor is psychology who just got hired with HCA west Florida branch. They're willing to train GN's. I did my Practicum on a psych floor on the east coast which was also a HCA facility and they were always short nurses. It's definitely not over-saturated, good nurses in psych are very much needed! Have you tried applying to the position anyway? A lot of times managers will make exceptions. The other suggestion would be to work at a facility with a psych floor and transfer over after a year. Transferring within facilities seems easier. If you're looking to add certifications, CPI has been used at every facility I've been at. I wouldn't personally recommend it, it's expensive and in my experience if a facility wants you they'll pay for you to get it. The facility I'm working for paid for me to get ACLS and CPI...and oddly enough ECCO (critical care cert) and EKG. Another one that may look good is Mental Health First Aid, a lot of places offer it for free and I had that one before being hired. If you're looking to volunteer in mental health, I would suggest some sort of crisis line. I personally volunteer at Crisis Text Line, but I have no idea if that was factored into their decision. I really got the feeling they hired me because I was passionate and a BSN. Don't give up!

Thanks so much. You have so many awesome recommendations. Would you mind if I PM you later?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment