system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Apply for PhD Programs or Stay in Research Lab for 1 Extra Year?

So I'm a post bac student (5 years research experience) who just got hired on a grant to do research on Suicide Prevention & PTSD. My job appointment is 1 year, but can be extended longer if agreed by me and my boss (who relocated from out of state)

My dilemma: Should I go/apply to grad school for Clinical Psychology next fall (1 Year from now) or stay for 2 years and build the lab up?

My current boss said (after she hired me btw) that she's looking to hire more people on grants who want to stay for the experience/to build the lab and not just to get publications to slap something on their resume. She said if someone stays for 2 years they'll "practically have a dissertation".

I want both genuine experience and publications to show my growth and effort. But I'm also ready to go to grad school (I'm 25) now

Would you stay and build the lab, or take 1 year experience then go to grad school?

All thoughts and advice are appreciated!

EDIT: Clinical Psych PhD Programs
EDIT2: I graduated in 2014 and have 5 years research experience.
gpt
You staying in the lab to build it is really going to benefit your boss more than you. If your goal is to get a psych PhD you should apply to programs as soon as you can. If you get into a program you like you should go.