psych to med-surg, worked psych as a new grad.

[nurseitup]

So i have been a pysche nurse for one year. i was hired as a new grad. I felt the new job would really help me learn to deal with some very difficult patients. Shortly after i was hired i was cross trained to med-surge for 6 weeks so that i could float in the hospital. On any given week I snag a least 8-24 hours in med-surge (tele and ortho mostly) through floating or picking up extra shifts. My husband and i are relocating (he is the marines) and i am going to apply for med-surge positions. I really feel pretty comfortable on med-surge these days and enjoy the fast pace nature of the work. My friends, however, claim that i am forever pigeon holed now because i started in psyche nursing. Is this true....? i worked in this specialty for one year and have picked up so many shifts on med-surge i feel comfortable with almost any med-surge patient. what do you all think? Do i have a shot at med-surge or should i just stick with psych nursing and be thankful to have a job that pays more than minimum wage?? I would especially appreciate if anyone who has made this type of transition could give me resume pointers.

[Davey Do]

My friends, however, claim that i am forever pigeon holed now because i started in psyche nursing. Is this true....?

Nope, it's not true, that you're pigeon-holed to psych. Especially with the medical experience you've got under your belt.

Been there, done that: Started out in Psych as an LPN, scrubbed in OR, and have done Med/Surg, ER, Home Health, and even did a couple of stints as an Administrator. Of course I'm back in Psych. It's my calling. But I really enjoyed the experiences.

Good luck to you, nurseitup.

Dave

[elkpark]

In this economy, moving to a new community, I would apply for anything I thought I might be able to stand doing and then worry about choosing among specialties once that was an option. :) However, I disagree that you're now "pigeonholed" forever because of one year in psych, esp. with your concurrent med-surg experience. Shoot, there is so much psych comorbidity in med-surg settings now that potential employers might see your psych experience as an advantage over other applicants.

Best wishes!

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I agree with the others...

[nurseitup]

Thanks,

This is what I felt as well. I am glad that I could confirm it with folks who have so much experience in the field. I'm sure I will find my way back to psych, in some capacity, in the next 20-30 years.

JD