What would be acceptable to say?

"The truth is, I have always been interested in behavioral health, and always figured I would end up working there at some point. I chose to get a good medical background first, going to ICU seemed like the next logical step. But I am now realizing it is just not where I want to work. It's not for me. I feel like my career goals are changing, and I feel as if I need to direct myself in a direction where I can see myself working for a long time."

Sounds perfect to me! It's honest and shows your long-term goals as compatible with the position. And by the way, I think your reasoning is very sound....I have always thought that having a strong medical background helps in behavioural care.

Only thing I can think to add....where did you spend your first 4 years in nursing? Med/Surg? If so, don't forget to mention that as well.

"I have always been interested in behavioral health, and always figured I would end up working there at some point. I chose to get a good medical background first, going to ICU seemed like the next logical step. But I am now realizing it is just not where I want to work. It's not for me. I feel like my career goals are changing, and I feel as if I need to direct myself in a direction where I can see myself working for a long time."

Say this exact thing

I would say just that: Behavioral health is where you have really wanted to be, but that you wanted to get a more medical/clinical background so that you would be a bigger asset to your patients when eventually did move to behavioral health.

Just what you told us sounds fine. Honest and nothing wrong with that response.

sounds like you have your answers. Focus on personal and professional growth.

Thanks everybody! I actually have a kinda broad background, lol. I did a year of M/S, 2 years of travel nursing, on M/S, ortho, and neuro, then a year of M/S/tele for agency with home care as well, before moving and starting ICU.

I did put in the request for transfer that while I do not have specific behavioral health experience, I have experience dealing with many patients with psychiatric co-morbidities. I also had the opprotunity to observe on the units I'm applying (float pool) when I worked as a super user for our medication computer system. So hopefully I have a good shot.

Why does the manager need to know why you are switching? Isn't the whole point of internal postings to give preference to existing employees to expand and broaden their experience?

Why does the manager need to know why you are switching? Isn't the whole point of internal postings to give preference to existing employees to expand and broaden their experience?

I think it's more to get an idea of what makes me want to do psych. The nurse recruiter asked me why I wanted to make the switch, so I figure that the manager will as well.

Say exactly what you told us.

FWIW, your medical background will serve you well in behavioral health. I worked in psych. for a few years, and sometimes medical problems masquerade as psychiatric problems. People with psych. issues can develop serious medical issues as well. Believe it or not, my first code was on the psych. unit. (So was my second, come to think of it!)

Congratulations, and good luck.

Thank you. I'm pretty excited. It will be nice to go to work, and enjoy my job. Which I think I will in that specialty. My mom says even as a young girl I wanted to be a counselor or something, lol

I think you're background will serve you well in psych. I've spoken to a behavioral health nurse who was used to be an icu nurse for 20 yrs before he switched and he said sometimes you may think the pt is having behavior issues and it's a medical issue. The patients also code and you have to be able to start an IV and initiate BLS/ACLS. So what you typed in this forum sounds pretty good to say to the recruiter.