Why did you choose psychiatric NURSING, rather than psychology/counseling?

[LilaDavis]

Hello :)

I'm considering making the jump from being a trained counselor to a psychiatric nurse but if I'm honest, I don't fully understand my reasons for it. Something is drawing me to it - I love working in an acute hospital setting, mental health is my passion and I want to make a difference, but that's about it!

I assume that for those of you who chose psychiatric nursing rather than another nursing speciality, you did so because you wanted to work in mental health and perhaps in a therapeutic way rather than doing strictly medical care (if that makes sense).

So in this way I guess I'm curious, what is it about psychiatric *nursing* rather than being a psychologist or a counselor that you prefer? I know the jobs are very different so I'm trying to get a good understanding.

Thank you!

[Rose2017]

I've been a licensed, master's level counselor for the past ten years and have recently applied to a direct entry PMHNP program. Over the past four years my clinical practice has moved almost primarily into doing trauma work, and I've become aware of how little I know about the actual brain and body and how this is getting in the way of my ability to work most effectively with clients. There is also a large shortage of psychiatric medication providers in my area and so I could make a large impact in my community in this way.