BSN & LCSW?

PsychiatricNP · Sep 16, 2010

Hi studentnurse:

I am a BSN and also an LCSW. I took the opposite path that you are considering getting a BA in psychology and then went on to an MSW program. After spending a couple of years as a clinical social worker, I decided that I wanted to be able to do more than just the counseling/therapy piece of the work and went in to an accelerated BSN program. I am currently in a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Social work and nursing are certainly a very nice marriage of careers and education - I currently work in a role that utilizes both my RN and LCSW. My recommendation to you, if you are only considering getting an MSW to be able to provide therapy, would be to explore the option of PMHNP programs. This will allow you to do therapy and prescribe (depending upon your state's practice act) - essentially offering you a much more marketable (and lucrative) skill set than a BSN and MSW alone. Though the MSW and MSN are certainly very different approaches to psychotherapy, you will again find some overlap between the MSW and PMHNP programs. If you haven't worked in psych or mental health, I would suggest that you explore this area of practice as well before deciding which direction to go. That's just my two cents :) Feel free to ask any other questions - best of luck to you!

studentnurseforHIM · Sep 16, 2010

Thank you so much for your input. I love nursing but I want to be able to do more on the therapy/counseling side of things. I do like mental health a lot but I am also not sure if that is what I want to specialize in. I want to be able to do more in Women's health and do more counseling. I am also thinking about mental health though. I don't know if you know the answer to this...but...if I become a LCSW then can I do both or change. In social work licensing does it encompass everything? Your input is appreciated!

ok2bme · Sep 17, 2010

I'm considering the same thing. I have a BSN and I'm applying to MSW programs. Thanks for starting this thread.

PsychiatricNP · Sep 17, 2010

Thank you so much for your input. I love nursing but I want to be able to do more on the therapy/counseling side of things. I do like mental health a lot but I am also not sure if that is what I want to specialize in. I want to be able to do more in Women's health and do more counseling. I am also thinking about mental health though. I don't know if you know the answer to this...but...if I become a LCSW then can I do both or change. In social work licensing does it encompass everything? Your input is appreciated!

In terms of counseling and therapy, I believe that the MSW is a bit more versatile than a MS/MA in counseling (of course, this is coming from a social worker). With your MSW and license you can provide therapy in any environment with any population (provided you have the skill set to do so) - social workers do not necessarily specialize within an MSW program - other than a clinical vs. administrative track offered at some schools. You can of course tailor your practicums in your MSW program to meet whatever need (women's health) if you anticipate this being your area of practice. Also, not all social workers practice in the clinical realm (some do case management, some do advocacy, etc.) Again, I would strongly suggest that you look into the MSN in Psych Mental Health and pursuing the NP route if you already have a BSN - I believe you will find the most versatility and will have the option of providing therapy and/or medication management in whatever environment you choose. Your employment opportunities will be a bit wider and your salary will also increase. Hope this helps.