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What nursing classes should I take?
I am currently in nursing school for registered nursing. What would be a proper or helping continuing education for a nurse who is looking to get into psychiatric care?
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5 answers
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
Hello Victoria and great question :)
For the field of nursing you are interested in perusing the follow of any courses that are available that revolves on these types of topics:
- Psychiatric nursing
- Behavior Health
- Pharmacology (focused on mental health medications)
- Any additional psychology or sociology courses
- Communications course (therapeutic communication)
-Mental Health Services/ Resources to the public
- Crisis management
You can also try a nursing externship if a facility offers it to nursing students. You can ask your nursing programs if they can help with with finding externships in their field of interest.
Best of luck to you! :)
Danielle BSN, RN
For the field of nursing you are interested in perusing the follow of any courses that are available that revolves on these types of topics:
- Psychiatric nursing
- Behavior Health
- Pharmacology (focused on mental health medications)
- Any additional psychology or sociology courses
- Communications course (therapeutic communication)
-Mental Health Services/ Resources to the public
- Crisis management
You can also try a nursing externship if a facility offers it to nursing students. You can ask your nursing programs if they can help with with finding externships in their field of interest.
Best of luck to you! :)
Danielle BSN, RN
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Victoria👋🏻...
If you’re aiming for psychiatric nursing some classes and experiences can really help you feel prepared and confident...
1. Psychiatric or mental health nursing courses are a must—they focus on how to care for patients with mental illnesses and emotional challenges.
2. Psychology and human behavior classes help you understand what’s happening in patients’ minds and why they act certain ways.
3. Pharmacology related to mental health is important too since you’ll deal with medications for anxiety, depression, and other disorders.
4. Clinical rotations or internships in psychiatric settings give you hands-on experience, which is invaluable.
Also, consider workshops or certifications in counseling techniques, crisis intervention, or trauma-informed care
They add practical skills you can use immediately and make you a stronger candidate if you want to specialize in psychiatric nursing.
Basically, focus on courses and experiences that teach you both the theory and the hands-on skills for mental health care.
If you’re aiming for psychiatric nursing some classes and experiences can really help you feel prepared and confident...
1. Psychiatric or mental health nursing courses are a must—they focus on how to care for patients with mental illnesses and emotional challenges.
2. Psychology and human behavior classes help you understand what’s happening in patients’ minds and why they act certain ways.
3. Pharmacology related to mental health is important too since you’ll deal with medications for anxiety, depression, and other disorders.
4. Clinical rotations or internships in psychiatric settings give you hands-on experience, which is invaluable.
Also, consider workshops or certifications in counseling techniques, crisis intervention, or trauma-informed care
They add practical skills you can use immediately and make you a stronger candidate if you want to specialize in psychiatric nursing.
Basically, focus on courses and experiences that teach you both the theory and the hands-on skills for mental health care.
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Victoria,
When you graduate from nursing school, you need to pass the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become an RN. You then need to gain at least 2 years of experience as an RN. You can work as a psychiatric nurse without any further education.
If you want to specialize and be credentialed in psychiatric nursing, you can go for professional certification (ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Certification). To be eligible, you need to have at least 2000 hours of clinical practice in psychiatric mental health nursing and have completed 30 hours of continuing education in the field. You can find relevant courses e.g. on the APNA website (link below).
If you want to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, you need to earn a graduate degree (masters or doctoral), complete supervised clinical training and pass a certification exam.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.healthecareers.com/career-resources/nurse-career/steps-to-becoming-psychiatric-nurse
https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/psychiatric-mental-health-nursing-certification/
https://e-learning.apna.org/
https://www.nurse.com/ce/psychiatric-nursing
When you graduate from nursing school, you need to pass the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become an RN. You then need to gain at least 2 years of experience as an RN. You can work as a psychiatric nurse without any further education.
If you want to specialize and be credentialed in psychiatric nursing, you can go for professional certification (ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Certification). To be eligible, you need to have at least 2000 hours of clinical practice in psychiatric mental health nursing and have completed 30 hours of continuing education in the field. You can find relevant courses e.g. on the APNA website (link below).
If you want to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, you need to earn a graduate degree (masters or doctoral), complete supervised clinical training and pass a certification exam.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Wafaa’s Answer
Hi Victoria,
You're on a great path in nursing school, aiming for psychiatric and mental health nursing. Here are some classes and continuing education options to help you succeed:
1. Key Psychiatric Nursing Courses
- Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing
- Child & Adolescent Mental Health
- Gerontological Mental Health Nursing
- Substance Use & Addiction Nursing
2. Related Science & Health Courses
- Psychology (developmental, abnormal, cognitive)
- Basics of Sociology or Social Work
- Pharmacology (especially psychiatric medications)
3. Advanced / Continuing Education
- Trauma-informed care
- Crisis intervention
- Basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Workshops on mindfulness and therapeutic communication
4. Optional but Beneficial
- Research methods for evidence-based practice
- Digital mental health and telepsychiatry courses
- Certifications like Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH-BC)
Good luck, Victoria! Specializing in psychiatric care is a fulfilling and rewarding path!
You're on a great path in nursing school, aiming for psychiatric and mental health nursing. Here are some classes and continuing education options to help you succeed:
1. Key Psychiatric Nursing Courses
- Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing
- Child & Adolescent Mental Health
- Gerontological Mental Health Nursing
- Substance Use & Addiction Nursing
2. Related Science & Health Courses
- Psychology (developmental, abnormal, cognitive)
- Basics of Sociology or Social Work
- Pharmacology (especially psychiatric medications)
3. Advanced / Continuing Education
- Trauma-informed care
- Crisis intervention
- Basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Workshops on mindfulness and therapeutic communication
4. Optional but Beneficial
- Research methods for evidence-based practice
- Digital mental health and telepsychiatry courses
- Certifications like Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH-BC)
Good luck, Victoria! Specializing in psychiatric care is a fulfilling and rewarding path!
Updated
Julayne’s Answer
Hi, Victoria!
Besides your nursing classes, I recommend taking extra courses in phlebotomy, dementia care, and EKG technician. Also, make sure to include basic math and anatomy and physiology classes. Nursing is a great career, but learning skills in other areas can be very helpful. Good luck!
Besides your nursing classes, I recommend taking extra courses in phlebotomy, dementia care, and EKG technician. Also, make sure to include basic math and anatomy and physiology classes. Nursing is a great career, but learning skills in other areas can be very helpful. Good luck!