PMHNP that does MFT? Advice on how to get there.

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello,

I have been an LPN for a number of years.

I have been trying to find my niche and I love psychology. I love reading all about psychology and sociology and how people relate to each other. So I know my strongest interest is in mental health.

It is really really hard to get into an RN program here in Oregon.

Often there is a wait list a few years long.

I wonder if I should just go to school for psychology and get my BS in that field and bridge over to BSN programs for those with existing bachelors. Then on to a PMHNP program!?!?

Do you have to be an RN first to be a PMHNP or is there a bridge for those with a psychology degree to go on for PMHNP?

I would love to do MFT as a PMHNP.

Also use PMHNP to help vets with PTSD.

Any advice or thoughts about this?

Do you or someone you know do MFT private council as a PMHNP?

I really have no idea on the best way to get there knowing that the wait lists are so long here in Oregon. I hate sitting around being stuck and not knowing what to do.

Thanks so much for your direction.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Way too many acronyms to understand your post. Care to elaborate?

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I have no idea what MFT or PMHNP mean, but I wouldn't waste time (or MONEY) getting a bachelor's in psychology if nursing were my final goal.

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Way too many acronyms to understand your post. Care to elaborate?

What "way too many acronyms"? I assume you're familiar with "LPN" and "RN," "BS" and "BSN." Probably also "PMHNP" and "PTSD"? The only acronym I would expect might be unfamiliar to anyone here is "MFT," which is "marriage and family therapy" or "marriage and family therapist" (depending on the context).

OP, marriage and family therapist and psych NP are two pretty different disciplines. A BA or BS in psychology really doesn't do anything except prepare you to get into a psychology graduate program. It will not give you any training in psychotherapy, or, really, any advantage over just getting a nursing degree in the first place. Training in therapy takes place at the graduate level in all of the mental health disciplines (psychology, social work, psychiatry, nursing, counseling). Psych NP programs focus on diagnosis and prescribing medication, and will give you some training in psychotherapy, but not much. You would have the option of seeking out additional training in psychotherapy on your own, above and beyond a PMHNP program.

Best wishes for your journey!

ETA: Since someone else asked, apparently it isn't that familiar; PMHNP is "psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner" (aka psych NP).

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PMHNP=

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

MFT=

Marriage family therapy.

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Thanks Elkpark

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
What "way too many acronyms"? I assume you're familiar with "LPN" and "RN," "BS" and "BSN." Probably also "PMHNP" and "PTSD"? The only acronym I would expect might be unfamiliar to anyone here is "MFT," which is "marriage and family therapy" or "marriage and family therapist" (depending on the context).

OP, marriage and family therapist and psych NP are two pretty different disciplines. A BA or BS in psychology really doesn't do anything except prepare you to get into a psychology graduate program. It will not give you any training in psychotherapy, or, really, any advantage over just getting a nursing degree in the first place. Training in therapy takes place at the graduate level in all of the mental health disciplines (psychology, social work, psychiatry, nursing, counseling). Psych NP programs focus on diagnosis and prescribing medication, and will give you some training in psychotherapy, but not much. You would have the option of seeking out additional training in psychotherapy on your own, above and beyond a PMHNP program.

Best wishes for your journey!

ETA: Since someone else asked, apparently it isn't that familiar; PMHNP is "psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner" (aka psych NP).

I stand my ground. I had no idea what the OP was asking. Good for you, elkpark for " getting it." There is no need to scold those of us who were in the dark as to the multiple acronyms.

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Those are different things but both require first a bachelors degree (nursing for NP) and after that a master's degree.

Another route you may be interested in is Social Work - which also requires a master's degree in order to practice.

The thing with PMHNP is that after they pass the licensing exam and apply for prescriptive authority they can prescribe medication and that has become one of the main jobs for PMHNP although they can also be trained in psychotherapy.

I think, the question is how flexible you want to be in the future. Being able to prescribe as a MH provider is a huge advantage. Since you are a LPN now you would have to get your RN (preferably BSN), work as a RN in MH as some programs require work experience in MH for students to be admitted to a PMHNP program. Go to school to become a PMHNP if this is still want you want at that time. As a RN you are also flexible. If you become a RN, work in MH and decide this is not for you, you can go a different route /different area.

PMHNP are paid very well in my area, much more than SW and there are more jobs as opposed to FM counselors/psychologists etc..

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