Psych Tech or Rehab Counselor as pathways to RN-Psych Job?

[gewmac]

I am a 48 year old man who took a leave from the world of Capitalism. I am closing down my sales business after 25 years. The kids are out of the house and done with college.

I took a job as a Rehabilitation Counselor at a psychiatric group home. It was this job and experiences at this facility that caused me to consider going back to school to become an RN and work in the psych field. I am currently getting A's in all prerequisite courses, building a strong scientific background. I am applying to the ADN-RN program for acceptance in the cohort starting 01/2013.

From numerous posts here, I can see that the preferred option amongst members is for a student to work as a psych tech. I do have some strong contacts at a local private mental health facility that is currently hiring.

My job as a rehabilitation counselor involves developing and implementing treatment plans that address the overall functioning level of our clients. We address skills of daily living, symptom management and health services to name a few. I have learned to differentiate between types of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective D/D and others Axis I's. The one possible negative or debit with this job is that we treat clients who are close to their highest level of functioning.

The pros of this current job are:

1. It is a like a well paid internship for me in the MH field.

2. Positive interaction with treatment providers.

3. Availability of allies in the form of RN- Community Health Nurses who have encouraged me and are willing to act as mentors.

4. The organization that I work for is well respected in this area and their positive reference would help secure a job. (To what degree, I can not be sure).

I wonder if I should take a full time tech job about a year before I graduate as a means to be an internal applicant at our local psych hospital or stick with my current course of action.

Thanks

GMAC

[mingez]

Well, going tech would be helpful for you to understand what the nursing team goes thru and how the process works. However, I think that if you stayed the course, you'd be fine. You're clearly learned in MH. That will serve you well.

However, if someone were just starting out as a nurse, or in psych, with no experience (which you won't be) I'd recommend to most folks to start off as a tech.

[MBauerRN]

THere are a few nurses at my facility that worked as techs while in school, or while studying for boards...and then were offered nursing positions as soon as they passed!

[gewmac]

Hey Mingez

Thank you for the reply. I had some trouble logging on remotely recently.

I think that given what you have said and what MBauerRN wrote recently, I will stick with

my rehabilitation counselor job while in school. The hours are flexible and time off from work benefits are superb, allowing me to go to school and work in the field, albeit tangentially.

Perhaps I will look for a tech job 6 months from graduation, getting me acclimated to the working of the medical psych field.

GMAC

[gewmac]

Thanks M Bauer.

I will look to go "go tech" about 6 months from graduation from the ADN program.

My skills in de-escalation and calm communication really won't be given justice in a resume.

I would be well served to work as a tech for a year or so in order to prove my abilities.

I need to be as pro-active as possible in presenting myself in the most favorable way. I will be 50 by the time that I graduate.

GMAC