Registered nurse vs Registered Psychiatric Nurse?

[bigtoque]

I've already got a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and decided I wanted to go back to school and get my Bachelor of Nursing degree and become a Registered Nurse.

Psychology has always been an interesting field of study for me and I feel that being able to work in a mental health setting would be very interesting.

Once I'm done school and become an RN, is it possible to become an RPN? Can you hold the designation of both a RN and a RPN at the same time? Or do you just have to be one or the other?

If you can hold both designations at the same time, what other classes would I need to take to pass the RPN exam?

I can't seem to find out if I'd have to take a couple more years of schooling just to pass the RPN exams, or if my previous degree in Psychology coupled with the RN nursing degree would be sufficient to just go and write the RPN exam right after writing the RN exam.

[Snuffy]

Many nursing specialties offer certifications. There are certifications offered in Emergency Nursing, OR nursing, Ortho Nursing, Med/Surg nursing, Pediatric nursing, and many more. Contact your specialty specific nursing association. (for example, as an emergency room nurse, I received my certification through the Emergency Nurses Association) Certification usually consists of a written examination to prove competency. There are usually a minimum number of practice hours required/recommended in your specialty before sitting for the exam as well. Hospitals generally look favorably upon nurses who hold certifications in their specialty and some offer pay raises/bonuses for certification as well. Some hospitals will even reimburse you or pay for you to become certified.

Psych nurses are a special breed, they often deal compassionately and effectively with difficult patient situations. Hope this helps and Good luck with everything!

[Katnip, RN]

To specialize in nursing, you just need your basic nursing degree, then get a job in the field you like. As a psych nurse I can say there's a huge need for more. Psych nurses are often med nurses and lead groups on their particular units. we certainly do get to know our patients and help and educate them, but cannot do individual therapy.

If you're looking to become a nurse/therapist you'll need that Master's degree.

[Jelli_Belli]

I'm graduating with my RN in 3 weeks and have accepted a job at a psychiatric inpatient facility as a graduate nurse. I also have a BA in psychology, but that really has no bearing on psychiatric nursing certification. I can help you find a job though. I beat out several other candidates because the facility liked that I had a degree in both psychology and music therapy.

This facility requires 1 year of experience and then they will pay for you to become certified in psychiatric nursing. Technically though, even without the certification, as soon as you start a job in a psychiatric facility (and pass boards;)) you can call your self a "psychiatric registered nurse". And I'm already counting the days!

[GilaRRT]

As I understand psych nursing programs exist in Canada. I am unsure if they are stand alone programs or perhaps a type of advanced practice program that builds upon entry level nursing education. So, the concept the OP is asking about may differ from the US.

However, I would suspect it would be possible to work as both an RN and a RPN provided you are licensed and qualified to work in both roles.

[HenryH0]

Are you talking about psych nursing in Canada if so there are a few options:

1) there is the rpn program that allows you to graduate as an rpn and work in a psych facility, if however you at some point want to leave psych it is next to impossible for a rpn to be hired into a med-surg environment (although it is legal)

2) you could get your rn and work in psych. to upgrade from an rpn to an rn it is an extra year of schooling. rn's are allowed to work psych or anywhere else once in the psych environment you could definately specialize just like any other field

Hope this helps

[Fiona59]

Well, I've seen RPNs work in LTC in straight RN roles, and I've also seen them hired to work post partum floors in the RN role.

I thought that here in Alberta, they were changing the educational route so that RPNs would also have to complete a four year degree instead of the training programme at Ponoka?

Has this come into effect yet?

[mom and nurse]

Someone who graduated with me had a previous Bachelors degree in psychology. He went through the nursing program with only one plan in mind.... To become a psychiatric nurse. When he finished, he passed the boards, received his RN, and then called a well known psychiatric facility to inquire on how to send his resume online.

When he mentioned that he was having trouble sending his resume online, he also happened to mention that he had a previous degree in psychology and that's why he was interested in the position. He was offered a job over the phone without sending his resume.

[RPNinBC]

I'm currently working as an Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) in Canada. There are RPN programs that RNs bridge into. Look into www.douglas.bc.ca and Kwantlen College. As an RN, you can work in Psychiatry. You would not be able to write or put the RPN title behind your name unless you finish the program. Right now if probably the best time to go into the Psych Nursing Program, as it is still a diploma program with the degree option. This will be changing soon, and speaking from my own experience....the Bachelors in Health Sciences is nothing compared to the BScN. Hope this helps!!!