FNP interested in PMHNP dual certification, ADVICE?

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Greetings!

I was hoping for some advice or experience any fellow NPs may have with this. I graduated this spring as FNP from a MSN program in Chicago and have begun working in an addiction counseling and treatment center. I hope to pursue a second job that is primary care or acute care based to supplement my experience/knowledge but I am also very passionate about my role with addiction and counseling. So much that I feel motivated to pursue further education and/or certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Does anyone have any experience with dual certifications? Would it be a better move to do a post-master's certificate for PMHNP? I have interest in someday going back to school for my DNP but was uncertain if that would be the best move to become PMHNP-BC.

Any advice or personal experience is very much appreciated!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

There are a couple PMHNP here who can help you with your question(s).

We hope you enjoy the site.

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Hi! I have looked into that as I am also interested in doing both. There are universities who will count credits you have earned in post master certificate towards your DNP if you decide later on to pursue a higher degree. They usually do not announce it on their website but they will let you know when you call them.

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Specializes in DB Peds/NDD.

I am a PNP who went to work right out of school in a Developmental Peds clinic. About 4-5 yrs in, I came to the conclusion that using DSM dx and psychotropic med prescribing (particularly off label in children) was not training I was provided in my PNP program. In the unfortunate event of an irreversible reaction to an atypical for example, I would have difficulty in attesting to a formal educational program that prepared me to Rx these meds. Therefore I continued to work and it took me a solid 3 yrs to finish the Post Masters. This was due to the large number of clinical hs

required in the Preceptorship portion.

Although it took me a while to get through, it was the best thing I ever did and would

do again in a heartbeat. Also your potential job opportunities double being dually

certified. I've been in the same job for 14 yrs and can see no compelling reason where a doctorate degree would be useful to me.

I hope the information I provided was helpful. By the way, I have no prior psychiatric nursing background. I hated Psych in RN school (maturity).Luckily i was able to get mostly ALL my Preceptorship hrs (365) in an adult psch ER so that I could really experience it.i've found that one can plan all you wish, but there is NO substitute for maturity in getting a feel for where you should put your energies educationally.

Good Luck! Chris

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most the NP's i've worked with on the floor went FNP then got the certificate when they relised that there was $$$ to be made and more oppurtunity. Few want to deal with mental health and fewer want to do pain management, so there is a niche to fit in

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I am planning on applying to either Johns Hopkins or Vanderbilt's post MSN PHMNP certificate program. I graduate with a DNP-FNP next year and am going to work for a while then apply.

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Hi,

I am looking for some clarification on FNP to PMHNP. If I complete a masters FNP and gain certification, can I then directly enrol in the PMHNP pos-masters certification course?

Also in states where the practice of PMHNP is restricted, does the supervising Dr need to be psych savy? Does this Dr need to be present whenever the NP is practising?

All help is appreciated!

:)

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