Psych tech job while in nursing school?

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Hi all:

I am a 12 month ABSN program currently going through my psych rotation. I was thinking about getting a CNA job while going through the rest of my program (just for one shift) to get more experience and, hopefully, to assist with future job search. But now I am really enjoying the psych rotation and thinking of getting a psych tech job instead of CNA. After I graduation I want to start in med-surg to get experience as a new nurse but be involved per diem or otherwise in mental health.

Here is finally my question: will CNA experience be more helpful than Psych Tech experience in getting a med-surg job? Does it matter?

Thank you for your input!

[RunBabyRN]

CNA experience would likely be more helpful in landing a med/surg job than psych tech experience. If you wanted to get into psych nursing, that would be a great way to go, but you'll get better experience and make better connections (if you're smart!!) as a CNA.

I thought about trying to do psych nursing per diem as well, but they don't generally take new grads per diem, because it is so specialized. I just recently interviewed for a per diem position, but they offered me full time because I'm a new grad, and the CNO didn't think it would be fair to a new grad to have to reorient every time I set foot on the floor. You work more independently in most psych positions than you do in med/surg. You're often the only nurse, or one of two. You don't have a charge and a nursing supervisor and a nurse manager, etc. to rely on.

Good luck with finding a position and with the rest of your program!

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

I work as a Mental Health Worker also called MHW which entails working in a psych hospital. I had no experience when i got started and going on five years now maybe because it's a private hospital. I had my CNA license but at the time of hire, it wasn't mandatory. that was back in 2009. i do know having a "behavioral health" background looks good on your resume.

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Thanks, RunBabyRun, this is great insight into how psych jobs for new grads work.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I'd look into both requirements. Around here the mental health techs usually have a minimum associates degree and usually a bachelors in something. It's usually criminal justice, sociology, or psychology. Occasionally they have unit secretaries or nurse externs for nursing students. I've just seen one or two postings for those though.

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Thanks for your thoughts, apples. Ours is a second degree BSN program so we all already have prior degrees (my highest is a Masters). We were told after the psych rotation we qualify for a psych tech job if we wanted to take one.