Switching Specialties- Psych to Medical

[RG-RN2014]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently a Psychiatric RN at an acute care hospital. I really do love psych and my job. However, I am really wanting to get into Medical nursing. I feel this is were my true passion lies. Has anyone made a successful transition from psych to medical/Would my psychiatric experience help? I also have only been an RN for a little over a year so I feel I am still up to date with my skills. Would it help to get my ACLS before I look? I also want to take a EKG/Rhythms course to brush up on my cardiac. Any input is appreciated. Thank you!

-RG-RN2014

[babyrnhlw]

Any certs will definitely make you more desirable as an applicant. And although a lot of people don't realize it, psych is everywhere. Every unit. Every specialty. It has potential to give you a one up because you have that extra patient experience in addition to still retaining skills (since you've only been in psych for a year). It's definitely not difficult to transition from psych to medical in your experience vs someone who had been in psych for 5-10-20 years, ya know?

I was a nurse tech for 2 years in psych because I loved learning about psych conditions. I though I wanted to be a psych nurse but after teching, I realized I missed physically caring for patients, despite my love for the mental health aspect.

So that's my 2 cents... Goodluck:up: