Considering PMHNP program, looking for input from PMHNPs or current students.

[MindfulMSWRN]

Greetings! I'm not currently working as a nurse; however, I have a BSN and hold a current RN license in my state. I currently work as a therapist in a group private practice. I am an LMSW completing my LCSW; however, the process to complete my remaining supervision hours would be as long as it would take to complete an NP. Plus in NY most major insurance companies require LCSW to have R privileges to panel in-network. Completing an R number is another 3yrs of supervision after I take my final stage licensing exam. NY is a tough state to practice social work. My area has a huge shortage of Psychiatrists and PMHNP.

For all of the above-stated reasons, plus a few lifestyle factors, I am seriously considering a PMHNP program. I would likely continue to provide psychotherapy in addition to med-management and more psychiatric services, and remaining in a private practice setting is appealing to me. I would love to work PT in a clinic setting or elsewhere, but I really enjoy the private setting. I should also add that I currently specialize in perinatal mental health, parent-child therapy, and couples work.

The program closest to me currently has 50% scholarship opportunities for the PMHNP program and they are affiliated with a university/hospital system that has wonderful psychiatric services.

Still I am a little hesitant about the idea of returning to school and taking on more student loan debt.

Looking for input from practicing PMHNPs or current students. Open to any and all feedback, suggestions, or insights. Thanks.

[MindfulMSWRN]

What a shame it is so difficult. Anyone with any sense realizes a skilled therapist is the key to patient's recovery and growth. The medication I prescribe in most cases except perhaps the most severe psychosis does little more than take the edge off and get a patient's attention so they are able to do the much needed therapy work. Love, love, love my therapists and the truth is they should make more than I do because their role although not as dangerous is actually more important to our patients in the big picture, imo.

It's also a shame that it doesn't have to be this way, and it wasn't always. This tiered pathway to full clinical licensure didn't always exist, and the push to legitimize social work as a profession has made it that much more difficult to actually help people. I'm not in favor of direct entry to private practice, but I think a lot of good clinicians are putting in their time in hospitals/clinics working as "therapists" and still not getting the supervision hours (not that they aren't receiving some supervision, but that it just isn't meeting requirements to be counted for licensure i.e. being supervised by someone with non-SW licensure or similar scenarios).

In all honest, I don't really want prescribing privileges... just to keep the scope I've been working in and be able to be insurance reimbursable in this lifetime (Medicaid is one of the hardest to panel with in NY). I know the $$$ is in private pay and people will pay, but I'm more concerned with those who can't. Perinatal MH is my passion and I think a PMHNP is the best way for me to be of service to mothers/families in my community (hopefully, more providers/clinicians will want to join me in expanding services locally too).

Thanks for your comment Jules A, really reminds me why I love my work.

[jskeds]

Whatever you do, do NOT go to Columbia. Happy to delineate the 101 reasons why. Unfortunately, it is difficult for Columbia students or alum to speak out because we don't want to tarnish our own degree/education and furthermore, there have been cases of institutional slander against students who voiced criticism.

[AAC.271]

I agree. Looking at columbia's NP curriculm,,, it is quite. Horrible. 38 credits to become an NP? The one that I am attending is ~50. It's a big difference.

[PG2018]

Mine was 43 with 11 having not one iota of relevance to a clinician. Another 3 could arguably have been useful, but the curriculum so was maligned with an inept GNP teaching that it too was without merit. I'd even submit that the physical assessment practicum was outlandish. There isn't a dog's chance in my recreating most of the moves.

So my NP training was 28 hours of clinical-lite. That's what gets to prescribe meds.

I did spend much of my downtime in school and first year of practice nose deep in books and journals learning anything with a nexus to psych. I feel comfortable with my base. Now I just need to deepen my experiences with time.

I was at some unrelated diabetes CME in the spring when I realized I needed to throttle back on the time I spent learning and all but eliminate my parallel efforts to be versed in primary care.

[LessValuableNinja]

Mine was 43 with 11 having not one iota of relevance to a clinician. Another 3 could arguably have been useful, but the curriculum so was maligned with an inept GNP teaching that it too was without merit. I'd even submit that the physical assessment practicum was outlandish. There isn't a dog's chance in my recreating most of the moves.

So my NP training was 28 hours of clinical-lite. That's what gets to prescribe meds.

I did spend much of my downtime in school and first year of practice nose deep in books and journals learning anything with a nexus to psych. I feel comfortable with my base. Now I just need to deepen my experiences with time.

I was at some unrelated diabetes CME in the spring when I realized I needed to throttle back on the time I spent learning and all but eliminate my parallel efforts to be versed in primary care.

Have you considered adding FNP for primary care?