Would this help me?

nursemeg444 · Mar 27, 2015

Honestly, while it may help you understand your patients better and their condition, it won't do much to advance your career. I myself have both a bachelor's in psychology and a degree in nursing. I worked at a psych hospital for a while and didn't find my psych degree to be that much of an asset -- this is just my opinion.

jojo489 · Mar 28, 2015

Thank you. :) my boyfriend and I were talking about it the other night and he had said the same thing.

elkpark · Mar 28, 2015

A BA or BS in psychology won't particularly benefit you professionally as an RN. If you are interested in doing the degree for the personal satisfaction, that's another matter.

ronchelednik · Mar 28, 2015

In nursing it won't help (you will not make more money for it.) You should and you would be better for it in carrying and understanding you pts. It's really a shame but important truth to remember, a CNO Nurse once told me. "A nurse is nothing more than than part of the room charge."

Now if you continue your education to become a Nurse Practitioner and get involved in mental health that would be another story you should check out.

DanaerysTargaryen · Mar 31, 2015

I would prioritize getting psych tech or CNA experience while still in school, that is if you have time to work. I've found in nursing experience is worth a lot, education (beyond whatever is the basic level required by your workplace for your position) means little to nothing. Of course, if you could double major in psych without causing yourself undue pain or stress, that's a different matter-- an additional credential that may not help but certainly won't hurt, for little additional cost. Just my two cents. I wish you the very best whatever you decide to pursue.

jojo489 · Apr 16, 2015

I would prioritize getting psych tech or CNA experience while still in school, that is if you have time to work. I've found in nursing experience is worth a lot, education (beyond whatever is the basic level required by your workplace for your position) means little to nothing. Of course, if you could double major in psych without causing yourself undue pain or stress, that's a different matter-- an additional credential that may not help but certainly won't hurt, for little additional cost. Just my two cents. I wish you the very best whatever you decide to pursue.

Thank you. :)

I'm actually an LPN now and for five years before becoming licensed I worked with people with disabilities who more often than not had one or more psych diagnoses as well. I'm actually planning on my bsn in the most near future and psych has always been an area of interest for me, so I was thinking about down the road either an associates or bachelors. I was just wondering like as a bonus if it would help my career.

I'd really like to get into disabilities nursing but finding info in that sector is hard...or maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.

DanaerysTargaryen · Apr 17, 2015

Jojo, I worked in disability nursing for a short time and also worked as a job coach for developmentally disabled prior to nursing school. If you have any questions feel free to message me about that. That field of nursing did not turn out to be my "thing" but I think you would have a great chance of getting into it if you decide it is yours. Usually you would end up working for a group home or maybe a day program, and your past experience would be a huge asset.

jojo489 · Apr 17, 2015

I've had my eye on a local company whose group homes are managed by RNs and have some LPNs working for them as well. I'd love love love getting back into developmental disabilities, haha. That's really where my heart is. But I'm a big fan of geriatrics too and of course I want to put my time in on a med surg floor too. I worked a very busy LTAC before and enjoyed the pace and the wounds.

I would message you, but honestly I have no idea how to haha. That's not a function on here I've figured out. But if you'd like to talk more in depth, feel free to message me.