Please some advice... On career choices. RN or Psych.?

Question

I am currently starting my education in the psych field. First my BA but how much more for a Masters? What can a mastrs do for me? Is being a Psychologist or psychiatrist worth it? Also I might be interested in becoming a RN. Is this better since less school and good pay? Any suggestions from experience? Please. and Thanks you!

Answer 1

You have to decide what your eventual goals are, and that is what must guide your decisions. Don't base your goals on the salary, or the amount of school, because those are not issues which last, it is what you end up doing for 35-40 years of your life that matters.

If you wanted to become an RN and go for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This would take four years, but you may be able to use some of the credits you already have, such as English, History, Psych 101, Biology, Algebra all apply to most BS and BA degrees

After completing a BSN you can work as an RN at a Psychiatric Care Facility. The salary can be acceptable (here in this city a staff RN on a psych unit can make about $65,000 a year or more). RNs perform assesments and monitor the daily progress of inpatient psychiatric patients, administer medications, and frequently counsel psychiatric patients in their care. If you want to study Psychology you will need at least a Master Degree to work as a counselor. Counselors usually work in an outpatient setting, but may work in an inpatient facility counseling patients with mental health issues, counselors may not prescibe medications. With a Ph.D. to work as a Clinical Psychologist you can perform advanced forms of counseling and treatment in both the in and out patient settings. Psychologist do not prescribe medications. A Licensed Counselor in this city makes $35,500-$75,000 per year and a Clinical Psychologist makes approximately $65,000 to $95,000 per year.

To be a psychiatrist you would need to complete your Bachelor Degree (with an emphasis on the sciences) and go to a medical school for 4 years, allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO), then you would have a 4 year residency in psychiatric medicine. Psychiatrist in this city average between $125,000 and $675,000 per year. Psychiatrist may counsel patients but also work with managing patients on psychiatric medications and treatment protocols.

Similar to a Psychiatrist is the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, who has a Bachelors Degree in Nursing, and then receives a Master of Science in Nursing as a PsyNP. They perform approximately 85% of the same functions as a psychiatrist. Nurse Practitioners in this city make from $85,000 to $200,000 per year. Some Nurse Practitoners go on to obtain doctoral degrees in clinical, research or educational fields.

Answer 2

Most MA programs take 2 years. If you want to be a psychologist you also have to do a PhD. You can't do much with a masters in psych. Well, maybe a few things, but it's def not a for sure lead into a good job, and you probably would make no more than a nurse. Anyhow, for the PhD that's at least another 4 on top of the MA (although some schools say an extra 3). So... that's about 6 more years after your BA. At the end of it all you'd make more as a psychologist... but if the bit more you'd make is worth the extra school is only a decision you can make really. Just keep in mind to get into an Masters program in psych you need to have around an A average (some schools say A-... but your competition will have an A so you need one too). If it is counseling that you are interested in... a lot of social workers are doing counseling now and sometimes find it easier to get jobs (since they are paid a bit less). This depends on the current job market though of course.. of your city, economy, etc.

Answer 3

LPN: Most programs take a year. RN: You can either earn an ADN which takes 2-3 years or your BSN which takes 4 years PTA: These programs are usually 2 years and offered at most community colleges. OTA: These programs are also two years and offered at the associate degree level. Personally, I would choose the nursing route. There are a lot of opportunities and room for advancement for nurses and it is a good profession. Try volunteering or working in a hospital or nursing home first to see if this career is for you and to get your feet wet. Best of luck

Answer 4

Well, I going through the same thing .Think about it, if you are a Psychologist or psychiatrist you will earn a lot of money and will have the satisfaction of helping people and be in charge. Being a registered nurse you help the doctor and take orders. Ask yourself are you a person that will like to be more hands on ??? Both are good choices . Try to make a list and write the pros and cons. Or volunteer to a hospital and ask questions to people that are in those careers.

Answer 5

If you want nursing, do BSN and take extra psych courses. Then, if you want to see patients like a psychiatrist, go for your masters as a psych nurse practitioner. You can get prescription privledges and see patients on an inpt and outpt basis. Psych outside of nursing is fruitless.

Answer 6

Nursing, all the way. You can work anywhere, many times there are signing bonuses. Plus if you get tired of hosp/clinic work, you can do phone work for insurance companies "health lines".

You can do legit work from home with an RN.

Psych? you will probably end up working in HR, or Admin.

Answer 7

You can be an RN and work in a psychiatric hospital. There's usually a great need for them since many people do not want to work in psychiatric hospitals.

Answer 8

do not try psych sister in law is trying to find a job as one not much luckk try psycial therapy rn end up with bad backs from lifting people ..