Thinking of Psych Nursing but confused about school requirements

angeloublue22, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2017

Any nurse can be a psych nurse. You can choose to specialize in psych after you graduate by getting an extra certification but it's not really required, of course it doesn't hurt and can possibly open more doors. Get your regular nursing degree and work your 2000 hours of psych nursing and your 30 continuing education credits in mental health (school doesn't count unless they specifically state they are CEUs) and then apply for your special certification. There's not really a quick way to do it. I believe the 2000 hours of clinical practice have to come from working in psych as a nurse. You may qualify for a QMHP pretty quickly though with your experience. I hope that helps.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Jul 22, 2017

Are you outside of the USA? In the US, you don't need anything other than a RN license to work as a psychiatric RN. Either way, I suspect that a bachelor's in psych would not be counted towards the clinical experience, but your drug rehab experience might count depending on what you did there.

Actioncatt · Jul 22, 2017

Oh, see I was thinking you had to have some sort of certification to work in psychology as a nurse.

Okay, so this is what I'm picturing, tell me if I'm correct. Id get my BSN and then work in psych nursing, like taking care of patients at a hospital making sure they take their medication and their ADLs are assisted and such. And then is the certification so I can become almost like a psychiatrist? Because that's sort of how I understood a psychiatric nurse to be. Like a counselor who works under a psychiatrist.

Heylove, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 22, 2017

It sounds like you are thinking of a Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (PMH-APRNs) - Master's degree level, after your BSN and working as a psychiatric RN.

angeloublue22, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2017

Heylove is correct. Even with the certification you're still a floor nurse and are given no extra responsibilities. It's really just a certificate that looks good on a resume. I forgot to mention to get the certification you also have to pass a test. I haven't gotten mine yet but I want to just to have it really, and possibly be able to have more opportunities but I've worked in psych of a while now and I haven't met a nurse who has a certification.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2017

Get your associates and apply to a state hospital. You will probably get hired right away.

Carlisa80 · Jul 25, 2017

I have a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and I am interested in going to nursing school to become a psych nurse. Besides getting the RN degree what else would I have to do? Thanks

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Jul 25, 2017

I have a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and I am interested in going to nursing school to become a psych nurse. Besides getting the RN degree what else would I have to do? Thanks

Nothing really. You get your RN and apply to psych nursing jobs, that's it. You could work as a mental health tech during nursing school to boost your resume.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2017

Okay, so this is what I'm picturing, tell me if I'm correct. Id get my BSN and then work in psych nursing, like taking care of patients at a hospital making sure they take their medication and their ADLs are assisted and such. And then is the certification so I can become almost like a psychiatrist? Because that's sort of how I understood a psychiatric nurse to be. Like a counselor who works under a psychiatrist.

You will not become "almost like a psychiatrist" as an RN, with certification or without it. A psychiatrist is an MD or DO, which is an entirely different level of training. Certification is just something extra to put on your resume. I carried it for a while, but I decided not to renew it. It was more of a benefit to my employer than it was to me.

allnurses Guide · Jul 26, 2017

Hi all! I'll try to keep this short, but what I'm looking at is this: I was originally planning on going to medical school but I really think I don't have the time or the financial stability to pursue that career. So, I've been eyeing psychiatric nursing for some time as a really promising alternative. I currently have a bachelor's in Psych and a bunch of pre med classes under my belt. I have about a year at a drug rehab clinic and some time as a physician scribe as well as a bunch of other irrelevant volunteer work, too.
I looks like I'll have to get a BSN and have two years as an RN under my belt before I can become a Psychiatric Nurse, but I'm not sure what "minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in a mental health setting and 30 hours of continuing education in mental health within the three years prior" exactly means. Does my bachelor's in Psych count as some of this? What sort of work exactly would this fall under?
I guess I'm just trying to build a clear mental road map of where I need to go from here to becoming a psychiatric nurse. If anyone could help me out I'd really appreciate it!

We actually hire new grads at our psych facility. In fact I would much rather precept a new grad if he/she is trainable than a career change nurse who thinks Psych nursing is a piece of cake and wants to sit in the nurses station rather the step out on the unit, be seen and interact with patients and ancillary staff.

Your experience with drug rehab - especially if you understand detox protocols (COWS, CIWA, CIWAB)

The biggest difference for nurses in psych is that they usually make a bit less money than people who work on acute medical units. The work is not as physically demanding as floor nurses, but it is mentally exhausting at times.

Hppy

allnurses Guide · Jul 26, 2017

Oh, see I was thinking you had to have some sort of certification to work in psychology as a nurse.
Okay, so this is what I'm picturing, tell me if I'm correct. Id get my BSN and then work in psych nursing, like taking care of patients at a hospital making sure they take their medication and their ADLs are assisted and such. And then is the certification so I can become almost like a psychiatrist? Because that's sort of how I understood a psychiatric nurse to be. Like a counselor who works under a psychiatrist.

You are somewhat correct - if your goal is to be able to work with patient's in a counseling capacity. Nursing may not be the right fit. Still you do have to have the ability to talk with patients and their families an a therapeutic way. I am currently working of a BA (in another discipline) to MSN/ MHMP.

Most free standing psych facilities at least the one's I have worked at don't take patients. only take patients that are ambulatory and able to perform their own ADL's. When their symptoms prevent them doing ADLs we find all kinds of clever ways to get them to shower. In my facility all patients need to be able to perform their ADLs. With the introduction of long acting injectable psychiatric medications, med compliance is not as big a deal as it used to be. RN's in the facility where I work do not pass medication. That is the job or the LVN or Psych Tech. RNs assess patients, interact with physicians and families. Assist with mental health court proceedings etc...

Good luck on your career path. Psych is great if it is your passion.

Hppy