Nursing is a very appealing career option right now, as there are a number of job openings available in the field and this number is only expected to grow. If you are thinking about becoming a nurse, you will probably want to choose a specialization. While some nurses choose to opt for pediatrics or surgical specializations, there are others who would rather specialize in mental health. Generally, psychiatric nursing takes the longest amount of time If you are interested in becoming a psychiatric nurse, here is what you need to do.
1. Get accepted into a nursing program at a college of your choice. It is best to begin with an Associate’s Degree in nursing. Then, you can work your way up to a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in nursing. Generally, it is recommended for you to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s if you want to become a psychiatric nurse, although it is possible to do so with an RN Associate’s Degree, which is offered at some colleges. If you are still in high school, it is important to keep in mind that you will need to earn a high school diploma or a GED to even be considered into one of these programs. Even more importantly, you will also need to keep your grades up when you are in high school to ensure that your grade point average (GPA) is high enough for you to be admitted.
2. Consider earning a minor or dual degree in psychology. While it is not necessary for you to earn a minor or a dual degree in psychology, it can be very useful if you are planning to become a psychiatric nurse. Not only will it show potential employers that you have an understanding of psychology, but it will allow you to learn more about the field. This can be very useful if you are planning to become a psychiatric nurse. Keep in mind that there are currently diplomas in psychiatric nursing which are offered in both the United States and Canada, which may be useful to you.
3. Pass the registered nurse licensing exam. The exam, which is called the NCLEX-RN, is offered to students who have successfully completed a degree in nursing. In order to become a nurse in any state, you are going to need to pass this examination. Until you pass this exam, you will not be able to work as a registered nurse. This is necessary if you want to become a psychiatric nurse.
4. Be sure to do volunteer work and/or an internship. Most colleges will require you to do an unpaid internship in order to receive your degree in nursing. You will also want to think about doing volunteer work, particularly at the facility you wish to work at. You may even want to consider becoming a nurse’s aide prior to completing your college degree. Take advantage of any opportunity which may allow for advancement in the future.
Things to Consider:
If you are planning to become a psychiatric nurse, there are several things that you should keep in mind. The first is that it is important for you to have communication skills, as you will need to deal with people who may not be very easy to talk to on a regular basis. Not everyone is suitable for this job. Since job conditions may be stressful, it is important to make sure that this is the right choice for you beforehand.
Another one of the things that you should keep in mind is that most psychiatric nurses do not work normal hours. It really depends on the facility that you are working at. Whether it is a psychiatric ward in the hospital or a substance abuse facility, you can expect to work long hours, however. The reason is because most psychiatric nurses need to monitor patients at night.
A career as a psychiatric nurse can be very rewarding for some individuals. Job openings in all areas of nursing are on the rise and pay is generally very good, depending on your degree level. Before you choose to become a psychiatric nurse, you may want to think about exploring other areas of nursing first, to find out whether or not this career choice is right for you.
