Does the school matter?

[Ladydaae]

Hi all! I'm currently a licensed therapist of ten years. The overwhelming lack of psychiatric resources and referrals in my area has driven me to consider psychiatric nursing to help meet the high need for services. I love what I do currently, but I also sit an awful lot, and want to move my body more. I also want to engage with the mental health community and healthcare system in a different way. I feel I have a lot to bring to the table. Also, and most obviously, having the ability to prescribe medications would be invaluable to myself as a clinician and to the community I serve.

So, I'm looking at going into an accelerated nursing program in the coming year with the intention to continue with NP shortly after. I am currently waitlisted at Duke (I'm in NC and bound to my area for personal reasons)...which is disappointing, but I had already determined that paying $80+grand in tuition and fees (NOT including living expenses for the 16 months of unemployment while in the program), wasn't worth a BSN. Especially considering my final destination isn't a BSN anyway, and I can go to a state school 20 minutes away for literally 1/10th the price.

My questions:

Does it REALLY matter where I go for the BSN? Is it WORTH getting myself into debt of about 100k? (I'm assuming where I go for the MSN/PMHNP would be more important?)

What advise do YOU have, as a nurse for me, a therapist? What might I be overlooking?

Finally (and I may come back to hit you all with more questions), should I keep up my therapy license? I don't see how it could hurt...

Thanks! Your input is much appreciated!

[Devon Rex, ADN, BSN]

Hello!

1) Employers really do not care where you graduate from, unless you graduate from an Ivy League school... and THAT... still depends on the employer.

I would FIRST worry about the school you choose to go to is appropriately accredited ... than anything else. Then would worry about cost; mainly because it doesn't matter how much you spend if the institution is not professionally accredited. More money spent on education does not necessarily (and unlikely) mean you will get the job of your dreams. Keep it real and be judicious with your student loan debt; especially if you are "a person of a certain age" like me.

2) Should you still keep your therapy license? Absolutely !!

You are right... it really does not hurt to keep up with your other license. In fact, it might even give you an edge over other candidates vying for the same position. Every skill that you have and are licensed to do, is an advantage over those who do not. Particularly if it is within the same professional field and patient population.

3) Yes, you may IM me if you have more questions.

Cheers !!! :)