Do I stand a chance in getting into Accelerrated MSN program?

[sfw57]

Hello,

I have a BS in Psychology and a MA in Psychology. After graduating with my MA, I have realized how tough the field of psychology is.

I have decided to pursue psychiatric nursing, as it still fits with my skills and interests, and finding jobs would be much easier.

I want to apply to accelerated MSN program, but I am worrying I may not get in. Could you please tell me my chances?

Bachelor of Science in Psychology from 4 year university with 3.76 GPA (3.96 in Psychology), and Master of Arts in Psychology from an Ivy League Institution (the school doesnt use GPAs but by my calculations it is 3.78)

GRE: 151 Verbal and 155 Quantitative, 4.5 Writing. (should I retake it???)

I have zero medical experience and I will have to take some more Anatomy, physiology and Chemistry courses before I can start the MSN programs.

Do I stand a chance? Would my heavy background in mental health, research and psychology look negative on the application? My resume is filled with teaching, research and clinical internship and externship with psychotherapist and behavioral services facility.

Is it a must for me to gain some medical experience? I am starting a full-time job with low pay to try to support myself and will also need to figure out how to pay for the prereq courses, so I am not sure how I can get volunteer medical experience in my schedule, would volunteering at a hospital once a month or so help?

I am also concerned about the letter of recommendations that I have to provide. One school in particular I saw wants a letter from a nurse or healthcare personnel. I dont know any healthcare personnel, so I feel like volunteering is the only way for me to get into grad school in nursing?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have come to a very painful stop in my life and I am trying to figure out how to create a future. Please be honest and tell me if I have a chance of getting into accelerated MSN, and if not, what should I do to make myself a stronger candidate (I am planning on applying to multiple programs across the country)

Thank you in advance!!!!

[Telos]

I think you have a great chance. I was a hospital administrator (went to grad school with two masters) and now realize I was to be a psychiatric NP. I think your mental health background will do very well after talking to the head of UCSF Psy NP program. Your GPA is strong too. I'm not too sure of the GRE since I'm just getting familiar with those scores. I do think volunteer or working next to nurses (mental health) would make you stronger. It will help with the LOR.

By the way, do you have a spreadsheet of prereqs for the different Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs across the nation? I was beginning to build one but would love to find one and work together on one. Are you going for Psychiatric NP? Thanks.

[Jules A, MSN]

I'd really explore what you mean by psychology is "tough" because although like you said jobs are plentiful in most places right now being a pscyhNP is no walk in the park. I know a few and my opinion is working as a PsyD is definitely easier than working as a prescriber.

[sfw57]

Telos: I do not have a spreadsheet. I am only starting with coming up with a list of schools. I also will have to email them and see if any of my courses will transfer. Send me a private message, I would love on working together with you on this!

Jules: by experience, are you speaking from the people you know who are PsyD and Psych NPs? My issue with psychology is that the jobs are getting taken by nurses. I have unemployed since I graduated in May. I have been applying to hundreds! yes hundreds of positions. I saw lots of positions that I was interested in but they required you to be an RN or NP (mostly RN for some reason). From my understanding and experience, the social service field is dying down. I have heard of people getting laid over, and programs closing. In addition, in social service field you get paid way less then what a nurse would make. I thought about going for my Doctorate, but the job outlook in that is just as tough. I heard of people being unemployed with Doctorate!! Not to mention when you get a PhD or PsyD and get a position, chances are you still will be making less money then an psych NP. And you will have a lot more debt and many more years in school. Also, PhD programs are more competitive then medical schools. That is what I mean by tough.

From my understanding the medical field is only growing, and there is 1 million shortage of nurses. Now that is not the number for psychiatric nurses, but I am sure there is shortage of them as well. I expect myself not be unemployed for half a year trying to find a job when I become an RN or NP.

And when you say that it is more tough being a psych NP then a PsyD, what do you mean?