Difference between Psych Care Practitioner and Psych Nurse?

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

I want to go back to University/College in September or next year and I've been trying to do some research as to what the best options would be. I have already been to school for something that I don't want to do, and don't want to waste any more time or money on something that I will fall out of love with. I know that I really want to work with people. I'm compassionate, caring and a good listener. Recently I've found myself researching Psychiatric Nursing. I've looked into the schools in my area that offer a BSN program and there are only 2. One of my main concerns is that I would ideally like some thing that would be transferrable, if I ever decided to go back for more schooling to get my Masters or widen my career path. Unfortunately I already know that 1 of these 2 schools is not transferrable.

Basically I would like to ask 2 questions...

1. What education path would you suggest in my scenario? I am in Western Canada and noticed that not a lot of schools even offer Psych nursing degrees. Do you think I'm being over cautious and that a BSN would give me enough options as it is? I really want to have a career that will give me a lot of flexibility and "laddering". If I find something that I love and I do it for the rest of my life then that is fine...but I am worried that I will limit myself again as I did with my first Diploma.

2. I've been reading a lot on here and have noticed that some people are Care Practitioners and some are Nurses. What are the differences? What type of school, etc?

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And RN--ADN or BSN can work as a psych nurse. A psych NP is a masters degree and they can diagnose and prescribe and are licensed to do so for mental health dx/tx only.

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And RN--ADN or BSN can work as a psych nurse. A psych NP is a masters degree and they can diagnose and prescribe and are licensed to do so for mental health dx/tx only.

(OP notes s/he is in Canada, and I believe they have a somewhat different system of psych nursing practice/credentials than we do.)

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Thank you for answering my question!

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