Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

psych outside of psych

hi all,

im a student now, and will graduate with my bsn next year. i am in the process of figuring out where to start. I have always been drawn to psych, but i know i do not want to work in an inpatient psych floor for very long. I also am planning on becoming an APRN. i guess my point is what is the best place to begin? I am thinking ER. I would get to see everything, and get some psych cases in there of course. However, would a PMHNP program accept a RN who has such little actual psych experience? My ideal job would be working in the ER as a PMHNP managing emergency psych cases. Is this realistic? (do hospitals use NP's this way?). I hate to be one of those students rambling for advice, but i would appreciate some insight from the wise ones. Fire away.

ps this is in psych not pre-NP because i would like to hear from psych nurses :)

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    IMHO psych ER is advanced practice. I've seen people start in ER and get faced with losing their licenses fairly quickly (usually having to do with someone suiciding after ER assessment). For what it's worth, I would recommend at least a year minimum (two to three would be great) on an acute psych unit before venturing into psych ER. New grads have done it and survived, but ultimately I think it's a huge risk...unless you would be working in an ER along with another seasoned nurse all the time. Most psych ER's I've encountered only have the one nurse at any given time.

  • Quote

    A psych floor is a contained environment. You learn about keeping patients safe, the course of treatment for different illnesses, managing aggression, assessment, working with a multidisciplinary team, etc. This gives you a good foundation for psych ER.

  • Quote
    • Author

    thanks for the input.

    would working in the ER in a non-psych capacity as well as on a psych floor both part time be a good idea? Or should i just jump in full time psych then go back to ER when i go advance practice?

  • Quote

    I did med surg, then psych inpatient, then advanced practice. I know someone who went from ER to psych ER and advanced practice and did fine. Another friend did ICU and acute inpt psych concurrently- then got aprn.. I think you want to first get a foundation in nursing or psych nursing. And then see whats next...

  • Quote
    • Author

    yeah. i think im going to try to get part time acute psych and part time something else to get a broad base for advanced practice, be that icu, er, or med/surg. I would like to have that exposure before taking on the responsibility of an APRN.

  • Quote
    • Expert

    There are at least some psych NP programs out there that will take you with no psych experience whatsoever (I precepted a PMHNP student last summer who had only worked in ICU prior to this, but had now decided that she wanted to go into psych, and there have been posts on this site in the past from others following a similar route). I'm not saying I think that's a good idea, just that there are schools that will do it.

  • Quote
    • Author

    thanks. i dont think that i would do a psych np program with no psych rn time though. thanks for letting me know anyhow.

  • Quote

    I think you are at your best if you consolidate your skills in the first year in one place, BUT....I like your plan to do some acute psych and medical ER. :) Best of luck!

  • Quote
    • Author

    yeah, i feel like one place would be best to start so i can get comfortable in one area to some degree. i will just see what doors open and im sure i will find a good position to be in to pursue advanced practice.

    thanks again for the input!

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.