Will I get "stuck" in psych?

Nurses New Nurse

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Because the job market right now for new grads is so bad, I am thinking of applying for behavioral health positions as well----but I'm worried that once I get into psych I won't be able to get out! I really want to work in critical care (psych is OKAY, but not a favorite) but if all of my experience is in psych, will they hire me later for the ICU or ER??? The care provided in the psych department is so different from anywhere else in the hospital, I don't know if it will blend into other more technical areas.

How hard is it to get back?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I think it depends on the status of a nursing shortage at the time because a few years ago it seems like anyone with a RN could get hired in whatever speciality they wanted. FWIW it isn't a picnic on those of us dedicated to psychiatric nursing to help inexperienced nurses that are only there because it is the only job they can get or they think it will be easy.

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I can see now how my original post sounds like I'm dissing psych nursing, but it wasn't intended that way at all! Apologies! I'm just trying to keep my options open so that I can figure out where my niche is.

Honestly, the nurses I have met in psych go through so much...I doubt I could handle it--which is why I am hesitant to try the area.

The bills are just piling up right now, so I'm in a panic. Once again, I'm sorry if I inadvertently offended any psych nurses out there.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Thanks for replying and don't take me too personally. My unit has been turned upside by the batch of new grads we have right now so I'm a bit more prickly than usual. :o

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I am a new grad and would love to be in psych but can't find a position......

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Specializes in ED.

If you want to work Psych and then later on try ICU/ER. Try going into a psych unit in the hospital and then move around after getting experience there.

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I think it's mostly a matter of how long you spend in psych. If you make a move to med-surg or a critical care area fairly soon, within a few years, it shouldn't be a big deal. If you spend 10 or 12 years doing psych and nothing else, yeah, you'll have a hard time getting a job in another area ... :)

Another thing you might do, if you know your real interest is critical care, is to keep up with reading and continuing education offerings in that area while working in psych (or another area) so you can point that out when you're applying for critical care positions. If there's a local chapter of a critical care nursing organization that holds meetings in your area, you could join and attend meetings -- in addition to showing your interest, that's also a good way to meet people and network about possible jobs.

If you're serious about wanting critical care, I'd encourage you to get at least a general med-surg position as soon as you can, rather than waiting for a specific critical care opening -- you'll have an easier time getting a critical care position coming from med-surg than coming from psych.

Best wishes!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I tried to apply for a few psych positions because I have a strong interest. They all wanted at least one year of med-surg experience.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I tried to apply for a few psych positions because I have a strong interest. They all wanted at least one year of med-surg experience.

That is ideal but if you really want to work in psych don't let this stop you from continuing to apply because all the places I have worked except one hires new grads.

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