USN Nurse, feel stuck in psych specialty.

[JP88]

Hey everyone, just wanted to talk a little about how I've been feeling lately.

I have been a Navy Nurse for 5 years now, and the entire time I've been inpatient psych (mental/behavioral health). I commissioned immediately after graduation, with no prior nursing experience, and decided I would be OK with wherever the Navy needed me. Well, I immediately went into the inpatient mental health world. I decided to make the best of it "bloom where I was planted", but now I am seeing a limited outlook for myself here. Here I am at my second command in the inpatient psych, I'm an O3 LT, and will soon move off the floor into the Division Officer position. I see very limited options for my future in this specialty, besides a package for DUINS for the PMHNP (psych-NP) doctoral program. There is a huge push for the program, but I am not interested in this... reasons to be explained later.

Anywho, has anyone else felt this way? I want to serve and will continue performing honorably, just unsure as to my future in the psych world. 

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Not the best person to ask probably...I went reserves after 7 years as an AD Air Force ICU nurse.  I had different reasons than you, though.  I wanted to do CRNA and didn't get picked up for the USUHS program.

If leadership doesn't work for you, then you need to find a cross-training opportunity (other nursing specialty) or teaching position that does.  There's also a PhD nursing research track all 3 branches have.  

I think you need to ask around and see what's available.  Maybe find a mentor that you trust to guide you.