demand for psyche NP's

Hukilau · Sep 17, 2004

Can anyone offer me any insight as to what the demand is for psychiatric NP's? I live in the northeast. I have taken an online class for my master's but I'm not sure if it's really worth pursuing. I am particularly interested in child and adolescent NP. Thanks!

Assuming you already are an RN with a BA or BS, consider getting your Master's in something else. I got an MA in Counseling and that combined with the RN and a BA in Group Dynamics gives me a more in-depth understanding of the field than any MSN degree could have. I believe an advanced degree in Psychiatric Nursing is so narrow in scope it's only really useful if your goal is administration. If you want to be a practitioner there are better choices.

PRNMEDS · Sep 18, 2004

I know three coleagues who have recently earned their NP in Psych. All three are still working at least part time at their old position (two have administrative jobs) and our using their NP part time. One works with a private psychologist 1 or 2 days a week, the other works at an outpatient clinic. The 3rd person has yet to find a place where they can utilize theier NP.

Not sure if that really answers your question - but it seems to me that having the NP is no garuntee of a an immediate job where it can be used. I am told NP is the comming trend (cheaper then Pyschiatrists etc.) but for right now I think its difficult to find a niche and get started. Good luck with it if you do decide to do it.

lucianne · Sep 23, 2004

If it's really what you want to do, then go for it. I have no idea what the demand is like in the northeast, but here in the midwest there is a real need for people who are willing to work with children and adolescents. The only advanced practice nurses I know who are having difficulty finding jobs/partnerships are those who are in women's health because so many ob-gyns are dropping obstetrics.

The subspecialties of psych APRNs are family psych/mental health NP or adult psych/mental health NP and child and adolescent P/MH CNS or adult P/MH CNS. In some states, CNSs do not have prescriptive authority while in other states they do. I'm in a program where there is no difference between the education for CNSs or NPs in psych. I started out planning to take the exam for child and adolescent CNS, but have decided to do family psych NP instead because 1) some states do not allow CNSs to have prescriptive authority and we may move to one of those states, and 2) I like the more holistic option of being able to treat the whole family.

If you are an NP, you may be able to do quite well by simply doing medication management for non-prescribing therapists while you build a private practice. You could join a pediatric or family practice or join a practice with a psychiatrist. Community mental health is another option. There's also a trend for NP only practices. I don't agree at all that an advance practice degree will only suit you for administration or that it is narrow in scope. I think that having one person who can manage meds and provide therapy is a great advantage (assuming you're not in a program that doesn't teach NPs as much about therapy as it does CNSs). I can never keep it straight who will reimburse whom for what and it is different in different places, so that is one consideration.

good luck with whatever you decide

luci

MQ Edna · Sep 26, 2004

I suggest you go for a MSW and then sit for the LCSW. I've yet to see an insurance company pay for NP's.

lucianne · Sep 26, 2004

I suggest you go for a MSW and then sit for the LCSW. I've yet to see an insurance company pay for NP's.

Some do. I know NPs who are getting reimbursement from insurance.

wam79 · Sep 26, 2004

I suggest you go for a MSW and then sit for the LCSW. I've yet to see an insurance company pay for NP's.

NPs with prescribing authority have private practices .They are reimbersed by insurance. They also get Medicaid/Medicare.