Looking for some advice re. psychology related jobs

Ms_Nightengale

Hi all

I am currently in final year of college studying nurse and really throughout the course I've kinda known that it really isn't the career for me...have stuck with it really because gave up a lot to actually get on the course (i applied as a mature student). I do enjoy working with the patients but as a nurse I feel limited in how I can really help and support people.

Anyway the only aspect of the course that I really felt enthusiastic about and really found fascinating was the psychology so I have decided to apply for post grad conversion course.

I can only apply for the postgrad beginning in 2010 and I am wondering if anyone would have any advice about what to do with the year in between?..I really couldn't face spending the year working as a nurse.

I am wondering would anyone know of anywhere I could apply or any time limited positions i could apply for that would be related to psychology and would possibly make me a more attractive candidate when it comes to applying.

I was thinking about maybe something that is related to research but I wouldn't have a clue where to start with that one.

Anyway any advice would be greatly appreciated..I do really want to do something useful with the year out.

Thanks

Ms_Nightengale

Valmont

You could volunteer with AWARE or a similar organisation. As far as I know it doesn't take up too much time either and is great on a C.V.

taztastic

I can only apply for the postgrad beginning in 2010 and I am wondering if anyone would have any advice about what to do with the year in between?..I really couldn't face spending the year working as a nurse.

That's a real pity but I admire your commitment for sticking with it. Just a thought but working up north I've met quite a few nurses working in mental health such as eating disorders services or working in family therapy. Would you consider working as a nurse but in a non-hospital/mental health setting? You'd be more in demand then a psychologist from what I see.

Ms_Nightengale

Hi thanks for replies

I never thought about volunteering with aware or the likes..is something i'll definitely look into.

And thanks for the advice taz..never would have thought of going up the north either...would def be interested in working in non-hospital setting!..Id love to work in a setting thats based on a more social model of care..:)

Would you know where I could look for these kinds of jobs?

Thanks again
Ms_Nightengale

eth0_

You could do the conversion course with the Open University, http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01D15

You could do two 60 point courses at once if you're going to do it fulltime.

taztastic

Would you know where I could look for these kinds of jobs?

I'll be seeing some of the nurses tomorrow so I'll try and get some details for you.

JuliusCaesar

Ms_Nightengale wrote: »

Would you know where I could look for these kinds of jobs?

These kinds of jobs are also available in the Republic. Youth work, mental health, community services....depends what you're interested in.

You can also do a career progression into Clinical Nurse Specialist/Advanced Nurse Pratitioner in Family Therapy, Bereavement, Psychoanalytic, Counselling, etc. once your'e in the mental health field. and you get paid while training. Look at the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery website, they have a list of specialist nurses. You will need a year or two on a psychiatric ward,but that's because you'll need an underpinning in working with severe mental illness first.

Neverwhere

I don't know much about the research side, as for a years work.

I'm training in social care. You could try looking for social care positions within mental health.

Ms_Nightengale

Thanks so much for all the advice!!

etho have looked at the OU course and it is definitely an option but I think I would fare better in college because I learn a lot better when I am able to discuss and question things.

JuliusCaesar because I'm trained in general nursing it means that it would be very difficult to move into mental health nursing - there was a post grad course to transfer registration but its not being continued - I rang up about it a few months ago...Have thought about the options you mention (CNS/ANP) but think that I really want to move away from nursing..have had such a terrible experience with the training that I really want to just get away from nursing completely...which is actually a pity really because I think if I had chosen mental health nursing in the beginning I would actually have loved it..really enjoyed my placement in the area.
But sure hindsight is 20-20;)

I think will be looking in the social care area or into community care...I think its just a matter of keeping an eye on any of the jobs in that area and applying for everything.

Thanks again so much for the replies...think that when I posted was panicing a bit because I found out couldn't apply this year for psychology...but you've all helped me get a little bit of much needed perspective on the situation...:)

Tis much appreciated

Peace
Ms_Nightengale

taztastic

Good luck with everything Ms_Nightengale and don't forget that the Psychological Society of Ireland or the British Psychological Society could be useful for putting you in touch with someone. Also think charities like Barnardo's who have options for volunteering.

maninamousesuit

i am studying for a degree in psychotherapy in kilkenny...and we have to build up hours of practice with clients....so we volunteer with aware..youth and womens groups..i am working with bereavement support...its great experience and is looked on by potential employers and training bodies as a serious plus