Best route to take for aspiring Psych NP

[Vvandenn]

Hey guys. I've got some questions for y'all after recently deciding on nursing after much deliberation. I graduated with my bachelors in Biomedical Science in 2010 from Texas A&M Corpus Christi where I was under the pre-medical track. So I've done the whole gamut of volunteer work, research, organizations, medical internships at UTMB and Baylor College of Medicine, etc. My GPA is roughly a 3.7 overall and 3.6 science.

Last year I worked in Seattle for the Anatomic Pathology department at a pre-clinical drug testing facility and this year I am back in Houston working in a Petrophysics lab in the oil field. After college I decided becoming a doctor was not for me (due to lifestyle reasons) so I went back and forth between PA, NP or pharmacy for the longest time while holding a range of jobs in different fields just to get by. My ultimate goal is to becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner after seeing their true scope of practice and lifestyle.

I am still learning a great deal about the nursing field in general; trying to compile all of my degree options. The hard part is, I am completely unsure on which direction to take. Since I already hold a bachelor's degree and eventually want to become an NP, I took notice of the direct entry NP programs for degree holders. But I have also read they are extremely competitive to get into. Also there only seems to be one in Texas, at UT-Austin. Although I'd definitely be willing to go out of state. I'm looking to go back to school full-time within one or two years and complete the RN to MSN in the shortest amount of time that I can. My question is, what would be a good option for me? An accelerated BSN program? A direct entry MSN program (assuming I can even get in)? What about an ADN? Are there any NP programs out there that are ADN to MSN?

Overall I am just looking for any advice or guidance I can get on this subject matter. Thank you.

[Bbirgen0915]

I also graduated in 2010 with Biomedical science, tried to get into med school but wasn't successful, so I went into nursing and I love it. I did an accelerated BSN program and I've been working as a Nurse for 7 months. Currently considering which DNP program to enroll. I'd say apply to accelerated BSN or MSN programs, given your experience and GPA, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to get into one. I haven't heard much about entry level NP programs, but doesn't hurt applying. Welcome to nursing either way!

[mzaur]

Hey there, sent you a PM with some advice. In short, you seem competitive for direct entry programs, assuming you can do well on GREs, get As in pre-reqs, write a good personal statement, and get good reference letters. Though these programs are indeed competitive, you do have a great GPA, and psych in particular is a less popular specialty so there are fewer applicants.