Should I leave nursing?

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Well, ever since I started nursing school 7 years ago I knew I would be torn between my desire to be a nurse and my desire to practice as a psychologist. But half-way through my nursing program I discovered I loved nursing.

Except here I am, 5 years later, definitely burned out by bedside nursing, half-way through applying for MSN programs, not even sure if I want to stay in nursing as a career in general, and I'm finding my thoughts turning back to the possibility of quitting nursing for psychology.

Before I spend a ton of time and money becoming a NP I'm looking for some advice.

Any nurses out there who hung up their caps, so to speak, and switched careers?

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I guess you would need to spend extensive time researching the field before taking the plunge. Psychology might be where your heart is but it is going to take a lot of sacrifices and time to dedicate to that career. First off, with a BS degree the salary is very low, and the only time it seems you can make a decent income is if you have a PHD. Are you in a position to make that long term sacrifice? I have also seen people who become miserable at the job in the long run because it can become intense. Maybe hooking up with a psychologist and examining the in and outs of what the job entails would be valuable experience to have.

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Why not be a psych NP? A friend I graduated with is going that path.

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EXACTLY!!! Why would not go for your psych NP?? You could actually do therapy AND write for scripts. Thats something thats hard to come by. People would flock to you.

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Yeah, psych NP sounds like a great idea!

The grass is always greener. Seriously, switching careers, while not impossible and a great idea if a person totally has their mind made up, is a LOT of work and very time consuming. It makes more sense to use your current education and apply it to the area you're interested in.

I mean, depending on your current degrees, becoming a clinical psychologist could take you 11 years. A psychiatric NP has basically the same job and often has comparable salary (and definitely better return for cost of education).

And if you can get financial aid, a break from floor nursing...even if only part time...might be just what you need. :)

Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, rehab, medical review.

I was going to say the same thing a lot of other posters here did...go for psyche NP!:yeah: Good luck with whatever you decide.

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I agree with being a mental health NP!! WAY less time than going back to get a BS in Psych, MS in Psych, AND a PhD or Doctorate in Psych, and you will be doing the same thing. Good luck, but I don't think you need to leave nursing to follow your dream. All of our life experiences lead us to different places in our lives. Maybe you will be a therapist for many years and decide to go back to bedside nursing, or maybe 30 years from now you will be in the business world; we just never know where life will take us! Follow your dream, and don't have any regrets!

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I am voting for the Psych NP option. In our area, they are looking for

both Psych NP and Psych CNS especially for children and adolescents.

To change fields now in the present economy, difficult as nursing is, other

fields are fairing worse.

You would have more flexibility as an NP than a psychologist in some areas.

Best wishes in whatever path you select...

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Thanks for the great advice! I've never really thought about being a psych NP, I just knew that right out of nursing school I didn't want to work as a psych floor nurse. I'm just not that into doing geri psych and throwing meds at people to treat all problems (btw, I know meds are often totally necessary. I would just like to be more involved with the counseling aspect). I have my BA in psych (I went back to get an AAS in nursing) so I know I may have a leg up in regards to NP programs.

Does anybody know exactly how much time I could spend counseling versus how much time I would have to work in a hospital doing bedside stuff?

I really don't know much about psych NP's. Definitely something for me to check out! Thanks again! :)

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Thanks for the great advice! I've never really thought about being a psych NP, I just knew that right out of nursing school I didn't want to work as a psych floor nurse. I'm just not that into doing geri psych and throwing meds at people to treat all problems (btw, I know meds are often totally necessary. I would just like to be more involved with the counseling aspect). I have my BA in psych (I went back to get an AAS in nursing) so I know I may have a leg up in regards to NP programs.

Does anybody know exactly how much time I could spend counseling versus how much time I would have to work in a hospital doing bedside stuff?

I really don't know much about psych NP's. Definitely something for me to check out! Thanks again! :)

You will need your MSN before becoming a psych NP; since you have your A.S. in Nursing and your BS in Psychology, you might just need to look at a "Bridge" program in which you essentially skip getting your BSN and go straight into a MSN program. I know it sounds confusing but my alma mater has one I am linking you to that can explain it better. There is also a link on this page describing the scope of practice for a Psych. NP. I know an NP who works with a psychiatric group and she primarily sees patients in the office for medication management, which is what psychiatrists tend to do now, due to insurance reimbursement issues. Here is the link to Vanderbilt's Psych NP program; look at the bridge option for RNs without a BSN.

Good luck!

http://http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/pmhnp.html

Lynn

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