Thinking about becoming a psych nurse

[Carolanne]

I expect to graduate from my ADN program in May. We're doing our psych rotation right now and I'm really enjoying it. I have an extensive history of alcoholism in my family and I can really identify with how some of the patients feel. I'm feeling a bond with this field. I haven't asked the hospital yet, but I was wondering if most psych units take on graduate nursing students fresh out of school. Also, what do some of you consider to be important qualifications personality wise for a future psych nurse? Thanks for your input!

[BarbPick]

I expect to graduate from my ADN program in May. We're doing our psych rotation right now and I'm really enjoying it. I have an extensive history of alcoholism in my family and I can really identify with how some of the patients feel. I'm feeling a bond with this field. I haven't asked the hospital yet, but I was wondering if most psych units take on graduate nursing students fresh out of school. Also, what do some of you consider to be important qualifications personality wise for a future psych nurse? Thanks for your input!

I usually advise new grads to get some real sick people expereince under their belt, but if you have this attraction, go for it. They will either hire you, or not.

[Speculating]

I usually advise new grads to get some real sick people expereince under their belt, but if you have this attraction, go for it. They will either hire you, or not.

Barb is absolutely correct on this one. You need to get experience with physically sick people. I've seen a lot of psych nurses try to get back into the setting of taking care of physically sick people. Many have a very hard time getting back back to that setting because they almost have to relearn to be a nurse again it's like hiring a new grad. Your going to have an incredible hard time going from mental health and trying to get into hospital nursing later in life because you never developed yourself in anything but mental nursing.