Intro In the real world, deciding what you want to do with the rest of your life can be scary and definitely confusing. There are thousands of different careers and lifestyles that could suit you. How do you know if you chose the right one? The idea that mentally ill patients were kept in institutions did not become popular until the 17th century (“Psychiatric Nurses” Volume 5 150). A career like being a psychiatric nurse has its pros and cons, but the journey to becoming one is something that will miraculously change your life. Education and training There are several paths that aspiring nurses can take. From becoming an RN to advanced master's degrees and doctorates. The one we focus on here is a Practitioner. “Nurse practitioners are one of four classifications of advanced practice nurses” (“Nurse Practitioners” Volume 4 593). If a career in psychiatric nursing is in your future; for high school you should have taken, or will take, math and science courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics (“Psychiatric Nurses” Volume 5 151). Once you graduate from high school, you must have completed a four-year college program and have your bachelor's degree, you can obtain your nursing license. To receive this license you must pass the national exam. Once passed you can work as a RN (Registered Nurse). So focus on psychology and choose your master's degree (“Nursing Education”). This is a difficult career that requires a lot of education and time invested. The personality of a psychiatric mental health nurse must be particular. Being human, there are certain personality traits you should have and necessary skills. “The skills needed for this job are active... middle of paper....... Keeping them alive is the main goal and if you can do your best to do so, this job will pay off and you will be incredibly satisfied with the career path you have chosen. Works Cited “About Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurses (PMHN) – American Psychiatric Nurses Association.” About Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses (PMHN) American Psychiatric Nurses Association. NP and Web. 10 Dec 2013. "Professional nurses". Encyclopedia of careers and professional orientation. Fifteenth edition: volume 4. Print. “Employment Details for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.” New York State Work Zone. NP and Web. 10 December 2013. “Psychiatric nurse – Job description. Online salary, schedules and programs. " Nursing Education. Np, nd Web. December 11, 2013. "Psychiatric Nurses." Encyclopedia of Careers and Professional Guidance. Fifteenth Edition: Volume 5. Print.