Want advice re: specialization, pay, older student/RN & Arizona

[jennykate]

Hi - know my subject line is a mouthful but the instructions said to make it as specific as possible!

I would appreciate advice from any who can contribute.

I am a second career RN student. I will graduate in Spring 2005 with an ADN. I will be 48 and my master plan is to move west. Currently live in midwest and really am fed up with the winters.

Have always been interested in psychology and enjoyed last semester's psych rotation immensely. Both clinical and class instructors said I was a natural and encouraged me to think of psych nursing as a specialty. I have talked to many RNs locally and some think that going straight from school into psych nursing is fine and others tell me to get some med-surg experience first.

My feeling is that I don't truly have that many years left to practice. Possibly 20 or so if my health holds up. I probably wouldn't be changing specialities too many times as a younger woman might. Truthfully, I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier when it comes to clinical hands on skills but I am most comfortable interacting with psych patients (and geriatric pts). I have not worked in this area in the real world so am wondering if I would like it as a permanent career. As a clinical, I just couldn't get enough! I've inquired at local hospitals as to whether they would hire me as a student/nurse aid or psych aid and the answer is no. Nurse aids are not used in psych wards here and psych aids have a 4 year degree.

In last semester, which is just about 4 months away, we can choose a specialty to have a preceptor for. I want to choose psych. But if it's really imperative to get med-surg experience first, then I should choose that as it would help me get on the stick on the job after graduation.

Finally - I would imagine this is a lucrative field out west where there are many retirees. Does anyone know if that's true and if so, what is the average pay out there? Don't want to seem mercenary and for me, nursing is a calling I've had for over 25 years, however, have to be practical. Am trying to reconstruct a life after divorce with no savings, tons of debt and not a lifetime to work.

Thanks for any help.

Jenny Kate

[finness]

from reading other posts, it doesn't sound imperitive, but helpful. med-surg is recommended for valuable medical assessment skills, but depending on your facility guidelines, may not be necessary. have i got it about right, guys/gals?