ADN to PMHNP School pathways

[ccosta70]

I'm wondering what is the best pathway to achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a PMHNP? I will graduate this May with my ADN. I hope/plan on working 3 12's a week while continue my education at the same time. I have seen many different path ways are available. Like going form ADN to BSN then bridging to PMHNP doctoral program. I have seen going from ADN to MSN then doctoral program. I'm just not sure what is the best option and hopin I can find a few people who have made these decisions before me and are willing to make recommendations to ya or na on how things turned out for them.

[Grumble88]

Is your goal PMHNP, DNP, or both? You don't need a DNP to be a PMHNP

[ccosta70]

Is your goal PMHNP, DNP, or both? You don't need a DNP to be a PMHNP

I find the information confusing concerning what degree I will need to accomplish my final goal of being a Nurse practitioner who can prescribe psychiatric medication to patient. People have said I'm needing my PMHNP to make this happen. Do you know what and how I can do this?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

You need a Masters in Nursing with specialization in Psychiatric Nursing. You get this in a PMHNP school. In some schools you get the Masters first and the PMHNP work is an add-on, and in others it's all one program. It depends on the school. At this point, you don't need a doctorate.

[Grumble88]

Whispera is correct, you need an MSN from a program that specializes in PMHNP. Doctorate is not required.

[ccosta70]

Thank you to to people who responded. This has helped clarify thing a little for me. I'm in Idaho and the only school who offers the PMHNP is a doctoral program. I suspose I need to look at some other schools and see if I can save some money and time going to school out of state.