Question about pysch nursing

Nurses Job Hunt

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This may sound dumb but if I take a first job in a psych hospital, will it be harder to switch to a regular hospital after a couple of years? Eventually I want to be an ER nurse but right now just trying to get a job ANYWHERE that will hire me. Is it not a good idea to go into psych if you want to switch later on? Also, if I were to apply for a hospital job later on, even in a med-surg unit, would I still be considered to have NO experience? How would I go about moving on in a different specialty ? Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

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I work in med surg . my manager means by experience someone with medical and or surgical experience like a med surg floor, ortho, icu , stepdown even tele. You would not be considered experienced in terms of having any sort of advantage in hiring (at least on my unit) as you would require same type of orientation as a new grad.

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That is what I thought. Thanks for the response! Has anyone else ever switched from psych onto a medical floor ? Is it harder to do it that way?

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Specializes in Ambulatory Case Management, Clinic, Psychiatry.

I have only worked in psych since graduating (by choice) and am now considering trying to transfer to acute care. It is much more difficult these days, then if you started in med surg-- I wish that I had started in med surg. But, the job market for new nurses is extremely hard nowadays, so if that is your only prospect and you enjoy psych, I'd say go for it. It is always possible to switch specialties, but it will take extra work and you will be competing with other experienced nurses (vs other new grads) for jobs down the line. Not sure if that helps at all...

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Specializes in Mental Health/Substance Abuse.

I also graduated recently and got my first job in a psych unit at a hospital. I really only applied to psych jobs, since that is what I knew in my heart I wanted to do. However, I enjoy the more medical side of nursing as well, so I also got a PRN job on a med-surg/oncology floor. That way I get to do my psych nursing and I still get the experience in case one day I want to move to an ER or something along those lines. Maybe PRN medical is an option for you? Good luck!

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Thanks for the replies! PRN could be an option... If it was that easy to gain a PRN position as a new grad in NY LOL! Everyone I have spoken to say they won't hire new grads per diem you have to have experience because they don't want to spend all the money to train us to only work a few days.

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