Advanced Practice - Struggling to find where I fit in

[eseeswaves]

Hi all, 

I have been considering advancing my education and applying to an NP Program. However, I feel as if I am at a crossroads in terms of which program. My background is diverse. I worked within an ICU at a level 2 trauma hospital. I cared for CV surgery patients (CABG, TAVR, balloon pump, impella), neurosurgery pts (CVA, EVD management), CRRT, traumas, and a diverse unstable med/surg population. It was an amazing experience, but once I moved I flexed into a position on a Med/Surg Tele unit where I am a Clinical Coordinator. I work the floors often, but also work underneath a director on the floor. I do a lot of PI data retrieval, educating nurses, and spearheading projects to improve processes. Sometimes there are managerial duties that I absorb. I thought I would enjoy something more administrative due to ICU burn out, but phew..it becomes very mundane at times. 

I have a true passion for mental health, but have not specifically worked at an in-patient psych facility. This discourages me from applying to a PMHNP program, even though I feel the biggest pull to this population due to experiences and exposure in my prior fields. I am trying to figure out where I would best fit in with my experience, but drawing a blank. I want to make a responsible decision that will translate to my past nursing experiences. Any advice is more than appreciated! 

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Could you talk to PMHNP program directors and ask if you can be a candidate to their program? Just as an anecdote, I'm an ACNP with over 20 years of experience in Critical Care and now in Cardiology but used to work with a fellow ACNP colleague in Critical Care who did a post-master's PMHNP (good program, not diploma mill at all) without any experience in Psych and is now working as a PMHNP. It is a complete 180 but he made it.