Best online Psych NP Program?

Specialties NP

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Hello all,I'm considering applying to a psych NP program in the next few years, and will be living nowhere near a program. My only option then is online. Anyone have experience with a program, good or bad? Things I'm looking for are, in order of importance:1. Quality - do you feel like you're really learning to practice as an independent mental health nurse practitioner?2. Cost - some are just so expensive!3. Clinical experience preceptor help - does the school help or must you do it alone?Thanks so much!

That's true BlueEyedGuy. Good point. The tax rate and the "effective" tax rate are two different things. Someone making $100k might end up in the 35% bracket, but the effective rate will be around 15-18%.

I'd agree myelin, $30k is very cheap. The price of a new car nowadays, lol. So, if you have to pay $30k more to graduate a year sooner, it's money well spent in my opinion. Particularly in light of taking a $90k job as a new grad. You more than make up for it. Even if there was a 35% effective rate on that amount, and even if you could only make $60k, and even if interest on the loan was 8%, and even if there was a state income tax where you live. The math still works.

Many of you have mentioned that the job market is good for psych NP. Where to psych NPs practice? Esp. if you are a new grad. I have completed part of a psych NP program at St. Louis University (very expensive) and am not currently enrolled due to financial reasons. Yet, I am considering changing to geri NP. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Many of you have mentioned that the job market is good for psych NP. Where to psych NPs practice? Esp. if you are a new grad. I have completed part of a psych NP program at St. Louis University (very expensive) and am not currently enrolled due to financial reasons. Yet, I am considering changing to geri NP. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Last I heard the Geri NP is about to bite the dust! Better check it out.

Specializes in Critical Care.

geri-np and adult np are being rolled into the AGPCNP (terrible alphabet soup. adult-gerontology primary care np)

I think the shorter/more expensive vs. longer/cheaper debate always depends on individual circumstances. For example, if someone had no kids and had gotten thru undergrad debt-free, worked as an RN for a year and saved 30k, then chose to attend the 12-mo program Vanderbilt (net cost including living expenses probably around 58k?), so this person took out 28k in debt, vs. attending UND which is a 20 month, full time program (including summer) for which they did not have to take out any debt except maybe 5k. Now, 8 months of working as an NP could equate to 50k after taxes. Considering that 28k would probably cost an additional 2k in interest per year, while 5k would only generate maybe $500, it still seems a better deal to go with the shorter program. Even if you were able to work per diem during the UND program, the difference would probably not add to $20k to cancel out the opportunity costs of attending UND.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
wrong.

First, the salary may not be 90k. 3/4 of my ex-classmates do not get that last year. The salary and demand will probably fall sharply within the next few years since more NP will graduate esp from online school.

OMG where are you located? In the Balt/DC area PsychNP new grads are making $125,000 with experienced PsychNPs making in the $150,000 range. Unless you are working at Hopkins where you are paid in reputation, lol.

I do worry that our rates will decrease as the FNPs who are making in the $90,000 range start getting their psych cert. :(

OMG where are you located? In the Balt/DC area PsychNP new grads are making $125,000 with experienced PsychNPs making in the $150,000 range. Unless you are working at Hopkins where you are paid in reputation, lol.

I do worry that our rates will decrease as the FNPs who are making in the $90,000 range start getting their psych cert. :(

An FNP who has a desire for primary care and then goes back for a Psych cert. soley because they can make a tiny bit more money is very shallow indeed. So many NP's complain about physicians being "in it for the money" and yet turn around and go into the high paying specialties themselves.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
An FNP who has a desire for primary care and then goes back for a Psych cert. soley because they can make a tiny bit more money is very shallow indeed.

I also figure many won't stick around despite the money because psych is a challenge even when you love it. It is worrisome because there are so many horrible prescribers out there now and if we start graduating a slew with no actual mental health experience I can only imagine it will be just Xanax TID for everyone, snort. :sarcastic:

I also know that the DNP is going to be a requirement for 2015 moving forward. Does anyone know more about this? Also, I still hope someone can help me understand where psych NPs practice? Do many do individual counseling or is it an inpatient field or outpatient? Do you recommend prescriptive authority as a psych NP?

I also know that the DNP is going to be a requirement for 2015 moving forward. Does anyone know more about this? Also, I still hope someone can help me understand where psych NPs practice? Do many do individual counseling or is it an inpatient field or outpatient? Do you recommend prescriptive authority as a psych NP?

DNP will not be a requirement until maybe 2025 at the earliest - if ever (state laws would need to change, and no bills have even been formed yet). At this point 2015 is simply a recommendation put forth by an organization representing the interests of nursing schools. Accrediting organizations and politicians - those who actually have a say - haven't made any moves on it, and perhaps never will.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I? Also, I still hope someone can help me understand where psych NPs practice? Do many do individual counseling or is it an inpatient field or outpatient? Do you recommend prescriptive authority as a psych NP?

Very few do counseling any longer as there really isn't any money in it. Unless you have your own business where you can do whatever, it is largely medication management so yes you really have to be able to prescribe. Most PsychNPs work for outpatient practices but some work in hospitals.

I think PMHNPs can get gigs that involve some counseling (or at least most involve assessment and some talking that goes along with med mgmt). Just like psychiatrists, right?

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