Psychiatric Nurse Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How and where do you train as a psychiatric Nurse in the uk? I have previously dropped out of art college in the third year due to ill health. I would now like to become a psychiatric nurse or psychologist where would I start?

Answer: for the nurse you train on your nursing degree as normal but then split at some point in the training to become an RMN. For psychology you will need a psychology degree but it is very competitiive I think and you need postgrad qualifications.

Question: What qualifications would someone need to become a psychiatric nurse? Would a psychiatric nurse have to help patients with personal hygiene? What would the job involve? Thanks for any sensible answers...

Answer: The clinical practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing occurs at two levels, basic and advanced. At the basic level, registered nurses (RN) work with individuals, families, groups and communities, assessing mental health needs, and developing a nursing diagnosis and a plan of nursing care, implementing the plan and finally evaluating the nursing care. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) earn master’s degrees in psychiatric-mental health nursing and assume the role of either Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner. Psychiatric-mental health nursing (PMHN) is considered a “specialty� in nursing. In addition to the functions performed at the basic level, APRN’s assess, diagnose, and treat individuals or families with psychiatric problems/disorders or the potential for such disorders. APRN also earn doctoral degrees (PhD, DNSc, and EdD) and they are often professors, researchers or hospital, agency or graduate program administrators. You can you specialize within psychiatric nursing; APRNs can sub-specialize in such areas as Child-Adolescent Mental Health Nursing, Gero-psychiatric Nursing, Forensics, or Substance-Abuse. Some specialize in the consultation-liaison role in which the APRN provides a service and consultation to clients who are physically ill and experiencing psychiatric problems or their caregiver. To become a registered nurse (RN), there are two year programs leading to an associate’s degree in nursing, a three-year program for a diploma in nursing (usually hospital-based) or a four-year college or university program leading to a bachelor’s degree. All are eligible to take the RN licensing examination after graduation. To specialize your go on to earn your Masters. Check out this site for more info: http://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3292 Healthcare HR Manager

Question: What to major to become a Psychiatric Nurse? Am I supposed to major in psychology or nursing? If so, what field exactly do i work on in order to become a Psychiatric Nurse? I want a bacholer or masters degree.

Answer: There should be a specific major for Psychiatric Nursing at most major universities and colleges. A Psych Nurse would also work in a hospital environment, but with rehab and addiction problems rather than a "regular" nurse in ER or other medical wards.

Question: How can I be a good psychiatric nurse? I'm currently a nursing student, and I'd like to become a psychiatric nurse. How can I be a good psychiatric nurse? What are important qualities for a psychiatric nurse? Thanks.

Answer: Get a lot of experience and practice your communication skills. Try to be always patient and calm. Use good nursing judgment when handling a situation. Spend some extra time with the patient. Sometimes all they needed is somebody to talk to. I work in a S.N.F. and I've dealt c many psych pt. c multiple psych disorders. It feels like a psych clinic but s 5150. In rare cases we have to call the cops for 5150.

Question: is it possible to go from a psychiatric nurse to a psychiatrist? is it possible to go from a psychiatric nurse to a psychiatrist with a few years training as the nurse?

Answer: Yes, you can re-train, but the process will be far from quick. You would have to obtain and M.D. and 4 years residency. ~Dr. B.~

Question: What qualifications do I need to be a psychiatric nurse? I would like to work in the psychiatric area of a hospital and be in a role where I can help patients, what jobs are available for this wish? Do I have to be a nurse? What study would be involved? what is the easiest way to gain this authority?

Answer: Nurses do not run most of the therapies that in patient psych patients receive. Those are led by psychologists, therapists, social workers, etc. Nurses have other responsibilities-meds, charting, health care etc. So you might want to look at other careers as well, just so you make the right decision.

Question: Can I be a psychiatric nurse if I did not have a high school education? I am an early school leaver,I did not go to high school,can I still be a psychiatric nurse? I am studying care at college,someone told me that by doing the care course,I can climb up?

Answer: Did you need a GED to get into college or have you not enrolled in the program yet? Generally nurses (RNs or LPNs) must have a GED or diploma to get into a program and to complete it.

Question: What is the difference between a Psychiatric Nurse and a Psychologist? I was raped and I am having a hard time dealing with it so I'm looking to get some help, should i go to a psychiatric nurse or a psychologist?

Answer: You would be best going to see your doctor and asking for a referral or information of services in your area that are equipped to deal with situations like this. Alternatively you could look up services using the Internet, I would give you some numbers/websites but not sure where your from. The other information given is not strictly true. Mental health nurses do not just give out pills etc. And a psychologist can be anyone with a psychology degree, (requiring the same amount and quality of education as a nurse). They're not all trained to doctorate level. But are probably not the professional you would be advised to see. Your better off with a counselor trained in this area. Hope you find some help with this, its out there if you look and ask :) x

Question: What is the equivalent title in Italy to that of psychiatric nurse? I am about to qualify in psychiatric nursing and want to work in Italy, but i think the system is different there... Is there a similar titel to this one?

Answer: The title of a psychiatric nurse in Italian is: infermiera psichiatrica the system here in Italy is almost identical to that of North America and elsewhere. Good luck on your job search !

Question: How do you become a psychiatric nurse? I really would love have a career in psychiatric nursing. Would you just go to school for your RN and apply at mental health hospital or is that something you have to specialize in? Also, do they make less or the same as a regular RN? The salary isn't a big deal because this is something I REALLY want to do...just curious, though.

Answer: Hi I'm an RN, qualified in 2000, so not sure if it's the same now but when i trained trainee RN's, Childrens and Psyciatric nurses all started on the same course for the foundation part then after approx 18 months the group split into three. The training is three years. Contact the Nursing and Midwifery Council, NMC for details on how to apply, they will advise you. Psyciatric nurses tend to earn substantially more but clearly it depends on where you work.

Question: I am bipolar 2(mixed),is it still possible for me to train as a Psychiatric Nurse? I am stable and receiving appropriate treatment.Would my mental health be assessed if I applied to become a psychiatric nurse?I believe I have a lot of personal experience which could potentially help others with similar mental health issues.I worry though that this may become a burden for entry onto such a course.Should I apply anyway and keep quiet about my condition?I would appreciate any advice.

Answer: Anything is possible. Apply anyways regardless of what anyone thinks. Just don't lie about anything when applying for the job. If you are determined enough, have plenty of reasoning, and you have experience; then I don't see why they would turn you down because of your "condition". Good luck.

Question: How do I find a psychiatric nurse to help my mom at home>? Mom is 75, very orderly, clean, but needs help monitorying meds. getting out. She lives in Huntington Beach, Ca. Is there such a thing as a psych-nurse registry?

Answer: Try calling your mother's Dr's office & ask for a reference or referral. Or call your local hospital for references.

Question: what are the roles of a psychiatric nurse? what is the difference between a psychiatric nurse to a traditional hospital nurse?

Answer: psychiatric nurses are trained specially to handle mental disorders. they are excellent at communicating with people with mental disorders, which is tough because some of these people may be hallucinating, hearing things that arent there, paranoid, etc. they are also trained in how to calm down people who may be having manic episodes. they help to teach classes to help psych patients develop more self esteem, more feelings of self worth, and life lessons in general. they are EXCELLENT teachers and even better listeners as they are trained to listen to people carefully and let them talk about their life and problems. they are also trained as traditional hospital nurses in that they help to develop care plans for patients including setting limits, medications, activities and etc that a patient may need, but they dont perform as many nursing procedures, such as dressing changes, catheters, IVs etc. they focus more on the communication/teaching/care plan aspect of patient care.

Question: what is the best way - education wise - to become a psychiatric nurse practioner? i was an english major in college which means i took no stats or sciences (ok 1 biology class). what is the best route for me to get into this field? should i become a CNA first, then a nurse or...i live in new york city and have checked out some schools - PACE, Hunter, Stony Brook and 3 more. Also, along these lines, where would i go - internet wise - to find scholarships for nursing school for adults (versus those who are just graduating from high school or college). im 32 years old. thank you.

Answer: I would just go straight to nursing school. You can work as a CNA, PRN while you are in school for the experience. As far as scholarships go try scholarships.com. Good luck.

Question: How can I become a Psychiatric Nurse in the UK? I don't have academic qualifications but I am literate and love to read. I have experience looking after a friend with schizophrenia and polysubstance abuse. Please give me some practical guidance. Thanks.

Answer: The academic entry requirements for a Nursing Diploma are likely to include five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject.The academic entry requirements for a Nursing Degree will usually include the same GCSE/S grades as the diploma plus two or three A levels/H grades, possibly including a biological science. If you have no academic qualifications you may have to set your sites a little lower. The alternative, if you are determined is to go back to college and try and get them. I wish you luck.

Question: Can a psychiatric nurse wear a cat ring? Can they wear a cat ring while working? or is that too un-proffesional? it would be cool if a psychiatric nurse answered! :)

Answer: Oh right sorry edit: Armm yes of cause u can unless your boss says otherwise but in jobs it normaly the cloths u wear not your jewlery or your hair etc. Im sure most would say its fine iv seen psychiatrist with tatoos or rings etc and meh it doesnt make me or most people i know feel weird i mean they come in weird dont they lol. And to below i think a cats ring is just some sort of ring lol weird yeah