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| No. 20 | 
Aug 12, 2009, 10:08 PM
 Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP Originally Posted by elkpark  and have had a v. successful and satisfying career as (first) a staff nurse in psych and (later) a psych CNS.)
Elpark, can you compare psychiatrist VS PMHNP/CNS. Beside money, is there any other things that you will be missing out as a NP instead psychiatrist such as less research opportunities for quantitative medical research or opportunities to order some tests.
I was shadowing a cardiology NP and feel discouraged to see some lacks of autonomy. Yes, they have autonomy at some level but they are still do many other assistant jobs that MDs don't want to do (preparing H&P, discharge summary call,calling family member). Still have to consult MD for almost many decisions they make......
I have not had an opportunity to shadow a psych CNS. I don't know if things would be different in psych setting.
I got only one life to live.. so I try to make the most out of it..
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Aug 13, 2009, 07:32 AM
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP Originally Posted by oohnurse I was shadowing a cardiology NP and feel discouraged to see some lacks of autonomy
That can be true of NP positions, they can lack autonomy. But it also depends upon the setting...I saw a community clinic FNP practice at a satellite clinic on her own without an MD. It also depends upon where you work...some states offer NPs greater autonomy than others.
Just my  | | No. 22 |
Aug 13, 2009, 02:21 PM
Updated
Aug 13, 2009 at 03:18 PM by oohnurse
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP Originally Posted by Joe NightingMale the two fields you're considering seem highly disparate to me.
Pharmacy is a very dry field, with logical/intellectual bent and little patient interaction. Psych, on the other hand, involves very intense patient interaction and requires more emotional and intuitive skills.
I think you should think more about your personality and values, and decide which way they're directing you.
Joe, actually, I have been thinking about my personality and values. The problem about INFP like me is that I believe that life is quest to seek my identity. As a result, I am indecisive and tend to lack the sense of self-identity.
Actually, I am inclined to be more intuitive and emotional than intellectual/rational and structured.
Per MBTI, I am an very strong “idealist INFP” rather the “thinker INTP” or “scientist INTJ”. http://www.personalitydesk.com/infp-...escription.php
Having worked a few shifts as a psych RN, I can feel the following personal pros and cons, which make senses considering my MBTI type.
Pros for Mental Health
-strong enthusiasm to understand their problem and their personality
-I am extremely sensitive, emotional, and empathetic
-more intuitive and creative at least than other types of nursing
-Fascination with the detachment from realities and the sub-consciousness of the mentally ill. (I am quite aloof and have my head in the clouds). This could fit me well.
- I like listening to them
Cons for Mental Health
-I tend to be gullible and get absorbed in the conversation. I may have troubles detaching myself and become more analytical.
-As an INFP who like to avoid conflict, I "sometimes" tend to “please” the patient rather than therapeutically communicate with them. This is typical for INFP who like to take things personally.
- “Control problem.” Frustration with incompliance. Unlike concrete medical science, I am a partner, not a fixer. I am frustrated and feel unsuccessful when I cannot get them to do what I want.
-lack of quantitative or interesting psychiatric nursing research
- It is not in my nature to be persuasive and forceful. I am very “perceiving” and “open-minded” type. I don’t like to guide or impose ideas on people even if they are mentally ill.
| | No. 23 |
Aug 23, 2009, 09:02 PM
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP
Decided... PharmD. Right now. I am either wanting to go into academia, research.
I want both degrees but I can't. At least, I have made a decision.
| | No. 24 |
Aug 24, 2009, 09:09 PM
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP Originally Posted by oohnurse Decided... PharmD. Right now. I am either wanting to go into academia, research.
I want both degrees but I can't. At least, I have made a decision.
Its probably a little late for you but there is this:
PharmD/Physican's Assistant Program Primary care practitioners are in high demand. Physician Assistants (PA's) and Advanced Nurse Practitioner's (ANP’s) are being promoted as primary care providers and physician extenders in the new models for delivering health care services. Pharmacists can deliver primary care and are the health care professionals found most often outside metropolitan areas. Pharmacists alone can reach 30% of all rural patients who don't have access to a primary care physician. With 6-plus years of education, steeped in pharmacotherapy, pharmacy education provides a solid foundation for much of what is termed primary care. The School of Pharmacy has joined with the MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington, School of Medicine to coordinate the development of a joint degree program to produce a practitioner that is prepared to sit for both the Pharmacy and Physician Assistant National Boards. More information about the MEDEX program can be found on their website. Students interested in this program should contact Dr. Allan Ellsworth, 206/598-5618, for more information.
David Carpenter, PA-C | | No. 25 |
Aug 25, 2009, 08:55 PM
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP Originally Posted by core0 Its probably a little late for you but there is this:
PharmD/Physican's Assistant Program Primary care practitioners are in high demand. Physician Assistants (PA's) and Advanced Nurse Practitioner's (ANP’s) are being promoted as primary care providers and physician extenders in the new models for delivering health care services.......................
David Carpenter, PA-C
Thanks, David, for the info. My school doesn't have PharmD/PA program. I would have enrolled if the program existed... because of differences in pharmacy courses from, it is difficult to transfer from my program to that particular program that has the combined program without starting over or repeating courses.
Actually, I was thinking about continuing in NP program after graduation "IF" (big if ) the pharmacy residency is too competitive to get in or I can't get a position I want. It's a better alternative than most pharmacy jobs where the knowledge is significantly under-utilized. Hopefully, NP program won't be all converted to DNP by the time I graduate.  well... at least, I have a fallback plan.
| | No. 26 |
Sep 07, 2009, 01:33 PM
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP
I say...if you were lucky enough to get accepted to pharmacy school, stick with it! I've been trying to get into a PharmD program since the year 2000, and chose nursing as a 2nd profession, and spend every day of my life regretting not getting better grades my 1st yr of college. i am now a nurse with a BSN contemplating finally applying to pharmacy again, or possibly NP program.
good luck!
| | No. 27 |
Oct 30, 2009, 11:00 PM
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP Originally Posted by core0 Its probably a little late for you but there is this:
PharmD/Physican's Assistant Program David Carpenter, PA-C
PharmD/FNP dual program. Seem like I am not only one that think this way. http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/news/press/release/854 | | No. 28 |
Nov 01, 2009, 07:06 AM
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP As an FNP and currently post master student psych NP (was a psych nurse for 5 years) I have an opinion. I realize you have made your decision and this is a bit old, but others may search this site and find this info. I see people choosing psych NP for lots of reasons, they don’t like to do PAPs, they don't want to deal with kids, they think psych NP as less likely to pull call, they like to talk to people and give advice, you name it. I see on the midwife boards they refer what they do to as "a calling" and I see mental health care as like that. If you just have an interest in therapy or don't want to do PAPs you will likely not make a very good psych NP. Can you do the job, prescribe meds and be financially successful? Yes. But you still may not be a good psych NP. You stated in one post, "My decision to apply to pharmacy is the combination of seeking the feeling of accomplishment...." That is not a typical feeling in mental health, or not in the sense that many people experience. One awesome psychiatrist I knew said this, "I can’t fix these people, I am just here to walk the journey with them" We all hear about "non-compliant" or "non-adherent", understand that is the standard in mental health. And depending on where you work, you may be just a pill pusher. You may see people for 15 minutes, long enough to make sure they are not having serious side effects or the voices are not back and that is it for 3 months, till you see them for another 15 minutes. If you are in a private practice that you can have more time it may be different but we all know how the health care system is and the days of the psychiatrist (or psych NP) sitting for an hour with a patient doing therapy is long gone, at least in most areas. I LOVE what I do, but again it is a calling. It takes a special person to be a good psych provider and it takes more than an interest in psychology. If anyone is truly interested in psych NP, find a state hospital because that is the sickest of the sick people and work there for a year or two before you make you decision. Good Luck | | No. 29 |
Nov 01, 2009, 09:44 AM
Re: Rethink my career path: PharmD VS PMH-NP Originally Posted by ruralnurs As an FNP and currently post master student psych NP (was a psych nurse for 5 years) I have an opinion. I realize you have made your decision and this is a bit old, but others may search this site and find this info. I see people choosing psych NP for lots of reasons, they don’t like to do PAPs, they don't want to deal with kids, they think psych NP as less likely to pull call, they like to talk to people and give advice, you name it.
I see on the midwife boards they refer what they do to as "a calling" and I see mental health care as like that. If you just have an interest in therapy or don't want to do PAPs you will likely not make a very good psych NP. Can you do the job, prescribe meds and be financially successful? Yes. But you still may not be a good psych NP.
You stated in one post, "My decision to apply to pharmacy is the combination of seeking the feeling of accomplishment...."
That is not a typical feeling in mental health, or not in the sense that many people experience. One awesome psychiatrist I knew said this, "I can’t fix these people, I am just here to walk the journey with them"
We all hear about "non-compliant" or "non-adherent", understand that is the standard in mental health. And depending on where you work, you may be just a pill pusher. You may see people for 15 minutes, long enough to make sure they are not having serious side effects or the voices are not back and that is it for 3 months, till you see them for another 15 minutes. If you are in a private practice that you can have more time it may be different but we all know how the health care system is and the days of the psychiatrist (or psych NP) sitting for an hour with a patient doing therapy is long gone, at least in most areas.
I LOVE what I do, but again it is a calling. It takes a special person to be a good psych provider and it takes more than an interest in psychology.
If anyone is truly interested in psych NP, find a state hospital because that is the sickest of the sick people and work there for a year or two before you make you decision.
Good Luck
Thank you -- excellent post, and v. valid points.
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