psych tech to psych nurse?

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I am a pre-nursing student and just applied for a psych tech position at a children's psychiatric hospital. I don't have a psychology degree but have always been very interested in psych and was going to go for an MSW before deciding on nursing. My question is, do you think being a psych tech is helpful in getting a nursing job in psych later on?

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Absolutely :)

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

Yes!!! It will help a lot. You will get to do a lot of patient care, vitals, run groups, etc. Do it!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's a very good idea! It's great experience that will make the transition from psych tech to psych nurse a lot easier, and you will have a chance to see psychiatric conditions first-hand. And depending on where you work, it can be a networking move that will help you get that first RN job when you graduate :)

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

That is probably the best thing you could have done. Once you have your foot in the door, it would be much easier to get a job once you have your RN license.

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That is probably the best thing you could have done. Once you have your foot in the door, it would be much easier to get a job once you have your RN license.

I'm living proof of this.

School paid for.

Psych experience.

Foot in door.

Full-time job offer on graduation.

Working now and love it.

Sweet.

Do it.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I'm living proof of this.

School paid for.

Psych experience.

Foot in door.

Full-time job offer on graduation.

Working now and love it.

Sweet.

Do it.

One of my classmates did that. The psych hospital she worked at as a tech paid for nursing school; in return she had to commit to two years' of working there. No problem for her--she wanted to be a psych nurse from the get-go. She had her tuition and supplies paid for and a full-time job with her desired shift on her home unit waiting for her.

It worked out very well for her...and for me: she suggested I apply there and give psych nursing a try. I did apply, they took on a chance on a new grad...and the rest is history :)

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

it's the best thing you could do for yourself, for your future...

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Specializes in Psych.

This is actually very common. Many of the psych techs I have worked with have went on to become psych nurses, and of course get jobs right away b/c they are known to the facility already. Absolutely a smart move. You will get to see so much and learn great people skills, which will be essential once you become a nurse. You will have a hand up on those folks fresh out of nursing school who are green. Good luck:)

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I just wanted to update. I haven't heard back from the psych hospital, but I did get hired at another large hospital for a job working with kids. It's not exactly psych nursing related, more community health, but I decided to take it since the job market is so bad and I need very specific hours. Well, at least I have a job at a hospital now.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

Absolutely! Do it. I was a psych tech before and during nursing school. Now have been a psych nurse for 7 years. It was a very good experience for me. I hope you find the same is true.

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Most *definitely*! I have been a Psych Associate ("Tech") for the past seven years and when people find out I'm in Nursing School the first question they ask is if I am going to be a Psych Nurse. I'm not planning on it (right away, at least), but I have already gotten job offers/promises for after graduation, which isn't for another year!

It's definitely VERY good experience if you're planning on doing Psych Nursing! I couldn't imagine going into Psych Nursing with just the amount of experience you get in clinicals......! Yikes.

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