Okay, so today I wanted to chat about something I’ve been digging into lately: psychology positions in hospitals. It’s kinda been a winding road for me to even get to this point, so let me break it down.
It all started when I was feeling kinda burnt out at my old gig. I was doing the same thing day in and day out, and honestly, I needed a change. I started thinking about what I was actually interested in, not just what paid the bills, you know?
I’ve always been fascinated by how people think and why they do the things they do. Like, seriously, people are weird! So, I started doing some research. I wasn’t about to just quit my job and dive headfirst into something without a plan. My first step was Google, naturally. I started searching for different career paths that involved psychology. That’s when I started seeing a lot of stuff about psychology roles in hospitals.
At first, I was like, “Hospitals? Isn’t that all like…therapy and stuff?” And while that’s definitely part of it, I quickly learned it’s so much more. There’s clinical psychology, which is what most people think of – helping patients deal with mental health issues. But then there’s also things like neuropsychology, where you’re assessing brain function and helping people recover from injuries. And even health psychology, which focuses on how psychological factors influence physical health.
So, after the initial research, I wanted to talk to people. I figured someone must have some insight. I found a couple of folks on LinkedIn who were working as psychologists in hospitals. I just sent them a message, basically saying, “Hey, I’m interested in what you do, would you be willing to chat?” To my surprise, a couple of them actually responded!
Those conversations were gold. They walked me through their day-to-day, the challenges they faced, and what they loved about their jobs. It helped me get a real sense of what the job was actually like, not just what the job description said. One thing that really stood out was how much they emphasized the importance of having a strong educational foundation. They said most positions require at least a Master’s degree, and often a doctorate.
Alright, so I knew I needed more education. Great. But how do I even get started? I started looking at graduate programs in psychology. It was overwhelming! So many different schools, so many different programs! I ended up creating a spreadsheet to keep track of everything. I listed the schools I was interested in, the program requirements, the application deadlines, and even estimated tuition costs. Gotta be practical, right?
The application process was brutal. Essays, transcripts, recommendations…it felt like it took forever. But eventually, I got accepted into a program! It wasn’t my top choice, but it was a good program at a decent school, and I was excited to get started.
During my studies, I tried to get as much hands-on experience as possible. I volunteered at a local mental health clinic, and I even did a research project with one of my professors. It was tough balancing school, work, and everything else, but I knew it would be worth it in the end.
Fast forward a few years, and now I’m actually working as a psychology assistant in a hospital! It’s not exactly the dream job yet (still got a ways to go before I’m a full-fledged psychologist), but it’s a foot in the door. I’m learning so much every day, and I’m finally doing work that I actually care about.
It’s been a long journey, and it’s definitely not over yet. But I’m proud of how far I’ve come. And I’m excited to see where this path takes me. I guess the moral of the story is, if you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled, don’t be afraid to explore something new. Do your research, talk to people, and take a leap of faith. You might just surprise yourself.
- Research: Start by understanding the different psychology roles in hospitals.
- Network: Talk to people who are already working in the field.
- Educate: Make sure you have the necessary qualifications.
- Experience: Get hands-on experience through volunteering or research.
That’s my experience y’all, maybe it’ll help someone out there!
