Considering Psychiatric Nursing

[AHeartLikeHis]

I am currently a Sophomore- will be a Junior after this semester, Psych student. I will, if all goes as planned, graduate in July of 2011- a year early. I then plan on entering the advanced standing BSN program here at Valdosta State University, which will take 2 years roughly...so I will have earned 2 BS degrees in 5 years, respectively.

I read last night in a Psychiatric Nursing text where an MSN can provide psychotherapy to patients- is this true? If so, that combines the best of both worlds for me. I am using Psych Nursing hopefully as a building block to getting my doctorate in Psychology- though, if I fall in love with Psych Nursing I may just get the doctorate in Nursing...

I have some questions that I would like answered, if you do not mind...

1. What made you decide to go into Psych Nursing rather than the other specialties?

2. What is your "typical" shift like?

3. Which shift do you like best and why?

4. What are the pros and cons of Psych nursing?

5. Do you wear scrubs or "street clothes"

6. Hourly pay where you work

Thanks is advance.

[lucianne]

Yes, advanced practice psychiatric nurses can provide psychotherapy as well as prescribe medications. There are 2 types of advanced practice psychiatric nurses--the nurse practitioner and the clinical nurse specialist. Traditionally the CNS has done more therapy and has worked in institutional settings while the NP has been more medication oriented, but the distinctions have been blurring. As an NP, I do some psychotherapy even during most of my shorter appointments and I have a number of patients I see mainly for psychotherapy. I don't do shift work, my job is 9-5 M-F. Advanced practice nurses mostly wear street clothes. In other areas they may wear a lab coat as well, but we don't do that quite as much in psych. NPs who do rounds at nursing homes or work in hospitals may do so. Hourly pay will vary widely depending on the part of the country you are in and the setting you work in. However, I can say that I make $20,000 per year more than the doctorally prepared psychologists in my workplace. I see 8-12 patients per day for 30-60 minutes each, meet and consult with the therapists and the primary health care providers in my facility, do talks at the nursing school, do outreach programs, etc. I am fortunate that I have a lot of freedom to do my job as I see fit and don't have to achieve any kinds of quotas or meet any productivity requirements. Of course, I stay very busy and I see more clients than anyone else on the counseling/psychiatry end of things here. It's a great profession and I have a great job that I love.

[lbennett]

Hi, You do sound like you love your work, and that is rare in this day and age, how much education is involved to do what you are doing? Thank you, L

[E I Adeosun]

Am a psychiatric nurse and fully practising one.I was in love with psy nurses rigth from day one in nursing.It makes you to be very vocal and have a good defence mechanism.IF you love it go for it and you will not have any cause to regret it.

[mari55]

Yes, advanced practice psychiatric nurses can provide psychotherapy as well as prescribe medications. However, I can say that I make $20,000 per year more than the doctorally prepared psychologists in my workplace. I see 8-12 patients per day for 30-60 minutes each, meet and consult with the therapists and the primary health care providers in my facility, do talks at the nursing school, do outreach programs, etc. I am fortunate that I have a lot of freedom to do my job as I see fit and don't have to achieve any kinds of quotas or meet any productivity requirements. Of course, I stay very busy and I see more clients than anyone else on the counseling/psychiatry end of things here. It's a great profession and I have a great job that I love.

What is the job outlook for psychiatric nursing? Mental Health Clinics are losing funding, correct? Hospitals and HMO's, are they looking? Please give me an idea. Thanks so much in advance.