Doctorate for Psych, Non DNP, PMHNP

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 25, 2023

"MY goal here is complete the terminal degree while learning something applicable onthe patient care side"

There really aren't too many options for a terminal degree unless you want to start an entire new course of study (PsyD).

If you want to enhance your patient care skills, the world of literature is out there! Then design either an EBP or research project to implement or further explore your new found patient care knowledge.

You are correct that PhD/DNP aren't designed to further clinical skills unless it's something like BSN to DNP. If you want a terminal degree, there aren't too many options. Those degrees are research-focused in order to help the graduate further (or translate) the field's knowledge.

dancewithme1 · Mar 27, 2023

Replying to my own post. ?

For those interested, Vanderbilt does have a post masters DNP that is practice based.

"The Doctor of Nursing Practice program, advanced clinical practice track is for applicants who have completed an MSN degree in advanced clinical nursing practice"

https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/DNP/advancedclinicalpractice.php

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 27, 2023

Well, I have learned some about this topic. It does seem that at Vanderbilt, they will integrate 500 hours of clinical practice so that no DNP grad has only 500 hours. That is the only mention of additional clinical hours I see for MSNs with prior APRN certification; unless you want to add an additional certification, say CNM. The course of study for DNP does not seem to include clinically-focused courses (advanced counseling, pscycho-education); instead it is more what I think of as typical for DNP: policy development, advanced informatics for data extraction, scholarly writing, evidence translation, and of course, the scholarly project.

https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/DNP/dnp_curriculum.php

If your goal is to complete a terminal degree and learn something on the side, that can be done through PhD and DNP. But it will be more self-directed. I LOVED the freedom of being given flexible assignments that I could focus on the topics of interest to me (with few exceptions). You will have electives and practicums that should be very flexible as far as topics.

Althea McLeish, MSN, RN · May 15, 2023

I'm working on the final phases of my DNP project with Aspen University and there's a lot of self direction and flexibility involved.

Initially, I looked for a program focused on counseling or palliative care but did not find one. So I settled for the general DNP. Post grad certs are available to fulfill any need for more specialized study.

CuriousConundrum · Sep 21, 2023

dancewithme1 said:

I have both a Masters and Post masters cert from my state Uni. I have both a FNP and PMHNP license. Practicing Psych

I looked into completing a DNP which all seem to be quality improvement projects.

Any options for doctoral degrees tied to Psych and practical patient care? For example, I taken classes at the Beck Institute since I do therapy, but they are not degreed. Accreditation is also not relevant since my masters qualify me for licensing/practice. I am thinking something along the counseling route. I even looking into Christian Counseling. MY goal here is complete the terminal degree while learning something applicable on the patient care side

Thank you

If you like the idea of counseling, a doctoral field of counseling psychology may be beneficial. That could be an EdD, PhD, or PsyD. Clinical psychology would likely take too long for you to finish, but the counseling psychology would be close. If you are a Believer, like me, the Christian counseling could be interesting and come in a variety of diploma flavors.

I've recently found some DNP programs that focus on lifestyle medicine in TN, 2 in FL and 1 in MN, and I like those because they add much content beyond the quality improvement flavors I see for the DNP. Unfortunately, we know we won't bill insurances more for any doctorate although some sort of therapy license can expand our choices of worksite (like doing meds in a clinic and doing therapy virtually through psychology today).

Despite finding some programs I like, I do not like the tuition rates and would unlikely ever pursue them, and the 4-5 DNP programs in my state are very boring looking despite being affordable.

Also, what did you think of Beck? I'm looking at the Essentials of CBT I and II courses. I'm going to take them but waiting to learn if my weekday employer will reimburse for them from my CME allotment. To be fair, I won't be purposefully employing them in that arena but instead in side engagements.

Incidentally, I have found very cheap DBT, ACT and CBT-I programs on Pesi's website. I've been doing several of their "food as medicine" courses.

CuriousConundrum · Sep 21, 2023

Althea McLeish said:

I'm working on the final phases of my DNP project with Aspen University and there's a lot of self direction and flexibility involved.

Initially, I looked for a program focused on counseling or palliative care but did not find one. So I settled for the general DNP. Post grad certs are available to fulfill any need for more specialized study.

It's interesting that you point out self-direction and flexibility. I asked my in-law who just finished what her DNP program was like and her reply was "It was just work. It wasn't hard work, but it was just work I had to do." LOL It reminds me of the work a substitute teacher would have us do in middle school - stuff to keep our heads down and engaged.