so what does it take?

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Hey everyone, :)

I was wondering...what does it take to be a psychiatric nurse? Do you need more than your associates or bachelors degree as a registered nurse? After I get my associates in RN..and am working towards my bachelors..I want to go into psychiatric nursing (I originally wanted to be a psychologist..and I went from that to this).

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

No, an Associate's is fine.

Wish you the best.

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Thanks!! :)

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Thick skin and a great sense of humor.

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http://www.apna.org/faq/aboutnursing.html

Take a look at this link from the APNA.

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Thick skin and a great sense of humor.

Also the ability to duck with lighting reflexes helps once in a while :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
http://www.apna.org/faq/aboutnursing.html

Take a look at this link from the APNA.

Thanks, danu3, for this web page. Excellent.

I am going to make this web page its own thread and sticky to the psych nursing forum for all to have easy access to. No doubt, it will answer many questions for new comers to our board.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Start with inpatient and talk to other psych nurses. I started as a case worker before becoming a nurse and then went to inpatient psych. Talk to human resources at hospitals and mental health centers to see if there are any openings. I got lucky and a nurse had just retired. I got a day shift at a state mental health hospital. Great experience. Teaching hospitals are very good for learning and then you can always go back to school. I'm now in homecare and thinking about going back myself. Good luck.

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