Hi,
I need some advice please... I'm currently in my first year of a children's nursing degree and I'm having a few doubts about whether it's quite right for me. Basically, I want to eventually work for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and I'm wondering now if I should have chosen mental health nursing over children's?
I've enjoyed my first placement on a children's ward, but the thing I enjoyed most was sitting down and talking with the teenagers who seemed distressed (a lot of them had learning disabilities or additional problems alongside their reason for admittance) and being a support to them. However, I didn't have much time to do this as I was always called away to do something else. I haven't enjoyed working with the young children as much as they always have a parent there and I feel like the parents like to do as much care as they can for their child rather the nurses.
Does anyone know if it is possible to switch to mental health nursing after the first year? I'm under the impression that this is just a common foundation year so all branches of nursing basically do the same.
I think I'd be happy working with most ages but to be honest I want to work with adolescents primarily, or people who are relatively young. Can anyone who is studying mental health nursing please give me an insight into how your placements have been?
I have previously studied for a degree in psychology so I have a keen interest in the mind, which is why I think mental health nursing may be more suited for me. I have also considered getting into counselling so this could be good experience too.
Sorry for the long post! I've just got a lot of things whirring around in my head at the moment and I don't have long to make my decision.
Jessica