psych nursing info

Nurse Ratched, RN · Nov 9, 2004

Nurses who later specialize in psych are RN's or LPN's who graduate from a school of nursing and take the same board exams as all other nurses. There is additional certification training later that some nurses opt to take, but is not necessary to work in this field.

Our pay is generally no more or less than nurses working in any other field. This varies by area. Check with local facilities or http://www.salary.com .

You would most likely be exposed to all types of diagnoses but may tend to focus in a specific age group - children/adolescents, adults, or geriatrics.

Bjo · Dec 3, 2004

I think it would be great for someone to enjoy working with teenage cutters. If you have the patience for it, the profession of psych nursing needs you badly. I know a lot of people who become really frustrated by it and others who get drawn in by manipulation.

Good luck

:chuckle

limandri · Jan 4, 2005

I think it is great that you are interested in psych nursing. There is quite a bit of flexibility and diversity in this specialty and you can get there by many routes. I have my doctorate in psych nursing and I am a psych nurse practitioner. To be a basic nurse in psych you need to get a BSN and work in psych (usually inpatient but not necessarily). To do advanced practice, like I do, you need at least a masters degree in psych nursing. Depending on the state you decide to practice, you might provide psychotherapy and prescribe medications in the advanced practice role. I have to admit that I love what I do and have been doing it for a long time. I advanced my education a little at a time and worked in mental health between and during each return to school.

In school you do not specialize in a diagnosis. In fact the psychiatric diagnosis has much less relevance to what you do as the client's problems (which isn't the same as the psychiatric diagnosis). Like you, I am very interested and concerned about those who cut on themselves, not because of the cutting but because of the pain they are trying to stop with the cutting. Oftentimes these young (and older) women have experienced traumatizing lives that they need a great deal of well informed therapy and a very patient, compassionate therapist to help them. Think you could do that? I bet you can.

Keep your sights high and please don't hesitate to ask more questions.

Hi I just found this website and i am thrilled! I have been wanting to be a psych nurse for quite some time now, and I recently found out that my best friend is a cutter and that has boosted my interest in it even more! I was hoping that someone could help me out with my questions! 1.) Do psych nurses have to got a special nursing school? 2.) How much do they make? 3.) Can you specailize in certain mental illnesses? I would really love to work with teen age cutters!Any ones input is greatly appreciated Thanks!
Sincerely,
wannabepsychnurse