Dangerous to be psych NP

[wayemika]

So I'm working on school to become a psych NP and my family and boyfriend are very worried this job is to dangerous or that clients will come stalk my family. They also worry for the increased cost of this program over family NP it won't return a good investment considering the cost. Any input?

Oh and I'm figuring they are so worried because the psychiatric inpatient unit I work on now has violence against staff often, with one RN getting beaten and just the other night a patient putting a RN in the ER over a injury to the nurses eyes. Should I really reconsider this?

[GodBody26]

You have to really know how to feel people out. If you struggle with this in general then adjusting to a labile psych pt will be difficult. It's one of those things that's hard to explain. Also you have to be in tune with your personal feelings about not just pysch but life in general. You gotta be able to separate your personal life from work life. It's so important

[ToFNPandBeyond]

I am concerned by your support system's bias against the mentally ill.You are experiencing the stigma as a PMHNP (and you haven't even started the program!) just as your patients face the stigma of mental illness. You are choosing to work in a challenging field.Mental illness is a waxing and waning disorder.You will face the dual challenges of addiction and psychiatric disorders . I enjoy the challenges of being a PMHNP-BC. In my opinion,salary is important but you need to enjoy your profession. Keep in mind there is a reason PMHNP-BC are paid a higher salary .

Perfectly stated!!