Value of Mental Health Tech Experience?

[tylerspeedster]

Hi, I'm currently in college and planning on completing acc. BSN and PMHNP programs after I get my bachelor's (transferring into a BSN program isn't easy). I live at home right now and could go away to Penn State in the fall. However, I recently applied for a MHT position and it seems like I have a decent shot of getting it (went in today). It would be part time with adults suffering from drug and alcohol problems. My question is, would the mental health tech experience look good enough on an accelerated BSN app/PMHNP school app/job resume, to pass up two years of fun at Penn State? If it's valuable I think I should consider a local school and even save some money by skipping PSU, but I'd like to hesr the opinions of professionals first as this is a big decision for me. Thank you

[beccajean]

I think the experience would be very valuable and would look good on your resume. I would think that PMHNP programs would look upon experience in mental health in a positive way. I would encourage you to continue working in mental health once you get your RN as well.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I think the experience gained as a mental health tech would be invaluable, as you'd get a good understanding of the actual Pts needs. I was a Cna prior to working as a psych nurse and I think the experience benefitted me immensely.

If I'd known about mental health tech positions, I surely would have applied to them, as the skill set is quite similar.

[kpalo]

I am working as an Mental Health Tech in an inpatient psych unit. I have just applied to nursing school and I still plan to work PRN during school. The experience and being able to network has been very valuable. As an MHT, you don't have to worry about spending a lot of time charting and you get to do tons direct patient care. Being able to feel comfortable working closely with psychiatric patients in my opinion is a big deal. In my experience, the patients can tell when a nurse (or even resident) is anxious about coming down to our locked unit. I think it would look really good on your resume, and it would prepare you for what it's really like on the unit. Best of Luck!

[incognitoinKY]

I'm a MHT starting nursing school in August. I'm torn on whether to pursue psych when I graduate but am hoping this place will work with me while I'm a student and possibly afterward. I think it is good experience.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

The only draw back to mental health tech experience is that because they're not certified, you may not necessarily get to learn how to take vital signs or give bed baths, or do range of motion exercises, etc.

I still think the pt care experience would be beneficial.