application shock

I seem to be on a tear about nursing education recently, and I am really trying to keep it rational.

So, I am not trying to denigrate the DNP by saying this, but...in looking over various DNP curricula, nothing especially difficult jumps out at me.

I take it you are looking at this:

http://www.nursing.arizona.edu/OSA/PDF/programs/Handouts_2008/BSN_DNP_PMHNP_Handout_2008.pdf

Looks like a typical DNP program, NP core with some added research/theory/policy classes tacked on.

Application paperwork for any program, in any field, seems designed to frustrate and confuse. If you managed a 3.98 in your BSN, I would be comfortable in assuming you would do just fine academically in a DNP program.

I actually do agree with you about nursing education (also in reference to your other posts). It is often disorganized and wastes times with nursing leadership, theory, etc and skimps on the science. I was originally pre-med, but i have some issues in which I absolutely require 6+ hours of regular sleep at regular hours so med school/residency was out. I got freaked out about PA school as the PAs cannot legally work without a doc and has to continually pass an exam to keep the license..and it's expensive. Knowing some of these docs, I certainly don't want to sign my soul to them. In nursing school, I found my passion for behavioral health =). I really do believe in compassionate care, patient educaton, patient advocacy etc and work hard at it, but I am certainly more interested in the pharmacology of a med versus inserting IVs and passing meds. I am definitely a closet medical model lover. :chair:I think the DNP added coursework is fluff and a waste of time and energy, but Arizona canceled its masters NP and I can't afford out of state. Psychiatric NP is also somewhat more scarce than other programs. As much as I love patient interaction and education, the lack of autonomy and busy-work of psych nursing makes me cringe. I love behavioral health, but floor psych nursing does not make me happy. I think the psychology of 'doctorate' is freaking me out and a lot of the non-sciency stuff takes some considerable effort, but I was able to push through it. UofA nursing is actually a somewhat prestigious difficult program.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts =)

To be clear, I am in no way trying to steer you (or anybody) away from getting an advanced degree in nursing. I just don't think you need to freak out too much, I get the feeling you'll do just fine. You're an RN, you succeeded in your BSN program, and you have a clear idea on what you want to do.

Heck, I think that since you have such a clear idea of what you want do, the whole "find your own preceptor" thing will be much less of a problem. You can scout out the various mental health facilities/services in your area, find the areas you want to precept in, and get to work. Find a psychiatrist to satisfy your yen for psychopharm knowledge (you're talking to a fellow pharm nerd), seek out psych apns/psychologists/msw therapists/etc. for your therapy/counceling education...find a state acute psych facility for the hard core psychopathologies, and a behavioral health-type place for substance abuse, family counseling, etc.

Seems to be that the NP education can be maximised when a specialization is picked right off the bat. I've found a great deal of nursing theory was developed by nurse specialists in mental health fields. With that specialty, you are free to customise your entire education around that field, including all the research, theory, and policy aspects of the DNP curriculum. The apn focus on health promotion and the levels of prevention should be ideal for that setting.

Again, my main sympathy for you lies in the ordeal of completing the application process! You'll get through it, and you'll get in, and then you can get to all the fun stuff!

inthesky,

I just turned in my application for the NP program in mental health nursing at the University of Tennessee. I was in a FNP program at another school but admitted to myself that psych is what I love and want to do and am transferring. I agree with you about hospital psych RN work. For me, it's mostly passing meds and charting, it seems. I want to make a bigger difference.

Good luck with the application process. I heard that my application will be passed to the committee soon. I don't think there are many psych applicants, though, so I have my fingers crossed. I would gladly have applied to a DNP program if one were available. I already have another master's and would prefer to be working on a terminal degree. But ... at least I'm getting into something I enjoy. :)

Best,

RN007

thanks for your guidance, psychonaut =) I should really use finding my own preceptors as a positive, customized training point of view.

RN007, I'm glad you reached out for your true passion :wink2: as frustrated as I am with hospital psych, i would rather be passing my meds and charting than do any other type of nursing. I'm hoping my application isn't going to be too late. Did you turn in your application for the January deadline?

thanks for your guidance, psychonaut =) I should really use finding my own preceptors as a positive, customized training point of view.

RN007, I'm glad you reached out for your true passion :wink2: as frustrated as I am with hospital psych, i would rather be passing my meds and charting than do any other type of nursing. I'm hoping my application isn't going to be too late. Did you turn in your application for the January deadline?

I'm actually taking the easy road re: preceptors. One of the reasons I'm hoping to change to an 'on-ground' psych program vs. online was for it to be easier to find preceptors and also make job contacts, or even contacts for an eventual practice.

I turned in my application for an Oct. 1 deadline, winter or summer admission. It'll have to be summer, though, because I'm having to finish two semesters of chemistry :barf01:, which the other program didn't require.

Good luck, and stay in touch! PM me anytime.