Psych nurse practitioner

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I just got accepted into a psych nurse practitioner program....However, I now have a second thought on accepting it after talking to a couple of PA and MD. I was told that unless I have some sort of inside track, it would be very hard for me to find a job in the mental health field as a NP. I work in the state of South Dakota and wonders if there's a higher demand in the either coasts? I have not even come close to pay off my BSN student loan and really hesitate to pile more debt especially in this economy.

Any insights would be appreciated.

Specializes in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry.

Psych NP's are in demand here in Maine.

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Specializes in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry.

I should also note that I get several recruitment notices each week from all over the US.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I just spoke with someone here in my area about the demand for Psych NPs and she said I will have offers before Im done with school. She said they are VERY MUCH in demand in my area (sigh of relief for me), there are not enough RNs in school to become PsychNPs. And as you know the field of psych is growing by leaps and bounds.

But I will say I dont see any jobs advertised in the paper or online--so dont go by that. I was really worried about that before I was able to speak to more people about it who actually are the ones looking and doing the hiring.

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I have even had one headhunter try to get to me through my husband by offering him his dream job in operations a power plant in order to persuade me into moving and accepting a job I don't really want. Anywhere in midwest is in high need for psych np's. Anyone close to graduation put a resume up on Monster, you will more calls in 24 hours than you can handle!

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Can anyone give insight as to the need for/compensation for psych NPs in the Boston area? Thank you!

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my instructor told us with the need here (midwest) not to take anything less than 90k. I would assume that would apply (compensation wise) to the Boston area.

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Specializes in Psych, EMS.

Wow 90k starting out? That's better than I thought! I'm so torn between psych NP and psychologist, not that pay is everything but it definitely piques my interest towards NP.

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I am in the state where Psych NPs do not have much autonomy; therefore, starting salary may not be as much as in the midwest (not 90k). I got mixed response regarding demand VS supply from NPs working in this state. I was told by one professor that they only hire psychiatrists and social workers in the city area.

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Check out the job board on the APNA website, Monster, or the NHSC.gov

You should be able to get some good leads that way. I had offers from clinical rotations, other agencies in town that applied to that did not have openings advertised, and from the above sources and recruiters.

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they are definitely in demand on the west coast those grads have the easiest time finding employment and with great pay too. I don't know anything about South Dakota but if you move then you can't go wrong with psych NP route

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Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

They are in demand in texas also, They make six figures...

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Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

What state are you in?

I am in the state where Psych NPs do not have much autonomy; therefore, starting salary may not be as much as in the midwest (not 90k). I got mixed response regarding demand VS supply from NPs working in this state. I was told by one professor that they only hire psychiatrists and social workers in the city area.
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