distance psychiatric NP program for new grads?

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Hi everyone,

I always thought I wanted to do nursing research (and still do), but I believe that I want to specialize in psychiatric nursing first. I grew up with a mom who was a licensed professional counselor, and I excelled in my psychiatric rotation. It was definitely my largest interest, followed closely by pediatrics.

A little more about me: I'm 33 years old, so I don't have time to take years off IMO. Nursing is a second career for me. I graduated from my BSN program in May with a 3.92 GPA and received several scholarships/high honors while there. I was a tutor to much of my class and the liaison for our interdisciplinary program combining med students, OT, PT, and nursing with the goal of aiding a patient in the community with a chronic health condition.

I was accepted into a MSN, but I decided the track wasn't a good fit for my ultimate goals. Now, I'm looking for a psychiatric NP program, but I don't want to take the GRE or submit letters of reference. Does anyone know of any fitting these stipulations?

I appreciate any help that you can offer me so much!

-Melissa

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I forgot to add that I've worked in a residential treatment home for individuals who survived traumatic brain injury (TBI) for the past 3 years, so I've a bit of neuropsych under my belt, just not as a nurse.

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Distance Psych NP with no RN experience, letters of rec, or GRE? I'd have serious doubts about the accreditation much less the repute of such a program if it even exists.

If you primarily want to do research, then a clinician program (NP of any type) doesn't seem like the optimal choice.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Agreed. If you want to do research, a MSN or PhD will serve you far better than an advanced clinical degree such as the DNP.

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