I am very interested in pursuing a PMHNP and am currently looking to enroll in programs. I enjoy working with psych patients and I see how bad the need is for more mental health professionals, especially in my area. However, my current experience as an RN has only been in ER and ICU, with no "specific" psych RN experience. I obviously work with psych patients every day in both of these specialties, and volunteer to work in the "psych pod" whenever possible when I work ER. I am wondering how important it is for me to work as a specifically psych RN before NP school?
I have been looking at opportunities at different psych facilities in my area, but flexible jobs are few right now and they pay literally 15 dollars less an hour than what I make now in critical care where I can completely dictate my own schedule. I'm not in it for the money, but at the same time I gotta pay my mortgage and that's a huge pay drop! I also want to keep my job flexibility during school/clinicals. Do you think my experience plus the experience I will gain from NP school will be sufficient to make me an effective practitioner? I would appreciate thoughts :)
It's a tough world out there. Some people do not really respond to anything, even clozaril. In my work, 2 antipsychotics and a mood stabilizer are just a normal day at the office. But I have extensive experience with mentally ill people.
There has to be a prescribing threshold. And the threshold has to be very different for zoloft and zyprexa.
Unfortunately some of our so called role models in this country, psychiatrists, are very low quality. At least in the state system where I worked. Some I have met don't even speak English well enough to evaluate people.
On the other hand, I currently work with an FNP, who also worked at the same forensic hospital as a RN for a couple of years.
He seems to think he knows alot about psych. I can assure you, he does not.
But I know practically nothing about diabetic management, because it wasn't taught in my program. You can't just absorb it by osmosis.
So yes, there is a huge mental health need out there, but be aware, many of the pts are looking for that magic wand answer to their lifetime of poor choices. Don't get sucked in.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
1 hour ago, Oldmahubbard said:
It's hard, if not nearly impossible, to make a living in outpatient psych. Too many obstacles. The real problem is usually poverty.
At least in California, the standard pay for a new grad PMHNP in an outpatient setting is about $150K per year. That can grow to $200K+ with a few years of experience. I'm talking about clinics serving mostly Medicaid and Medicare patients. The VA also pays well and offers outpatient and inpatient opportunities.
I have worked in a inpatient intensive psych unit and what you see in ICU is nothing compared to what you will see. In ICU you might see someone with a drug overdose and drug induced psychosis or someone with a hx of schizophrenia that might have tried to commit suicide, or someone with dementia or delirium which we get calls all the time from ICU to consult with our Docs and we have to explain to them that delirium or dementia caused by age isn't a psych problem. If you are in the down town Houston area I can refer you, I think we have a few openings. I think to work in any field NP programs should ask for at least two years in the intended field. I did not go the Psych NP path because my experience in that area helped me decide that Psych is not something I want to do long term. I'm half way through the FNP program because I like the variety in population I may see, including psych patients and most of my experience in inpatient medical so I do like the variety. While ICU is a great experience to have and will make you a great NP, I would advice you to maybe ask to shadow someone in an inpatient acute Psych unit before committing to Psych.
It seems that you do have valid Psych experience. I am in public health with a background in case management and want to pursue PMHNP post masters cert. I adepth with motivational interviewing and completed a psychotherapeutic chaplaincy internship. I also have a DNP. Been an RN for 34 years with no ICU experience though. Looking for feedback as I would like toprovide much needed psych help in my retirement.
Mentioned already in a reply: Am considering post graduate PMHNP cert. Work in public health and have case managment experience as well as completed a pychotherapeutic chaplaincy internship. Not quite in patient psych experience but have used the psychotherapeutic approach in my line of work. Have a DNP. No ICU experience. Worthwhile ambition? What are your thoughts?
Mentioned already in a reply: Am considering post graduate PMHNP cert. Work in public health and have case managment experience as well as completed a pychotherapeutic chaplaincy internship. Not quite in patient psych experience but have used the psychotherapeutic approach in my line of work. Have a DNP. No ICU experience. Worthwhile ambition? What are your thoughts?
Only you can answer whether it's worthwhile.
My only thought is that if you have a strong interest in working with folks with mental illnesses, the cost/benefits make sense, and you're willing and able to live and breath psychiatry for years down the road, then go for it.
Many thanks! I am 34 years in as an RN. I hope to ride out my career helping others in this way. I was never an ICU nurse but I think my public health background certainly helps.
Many thanks! I am 34 years in as an RN. I hope to ride out my career helping others in this way. I was never an ICU nurse but I think my public health background certainly helps.
ICU nursing has close to nothing to do with PMHNP and it's one of the least relevant to psych nursing. I wouldn't worry about not having ICU experience.
Oldmahubbard
1,487 Posts
It's a tough world out there. Some people do not really respond to anything, even clozaril. In my work, 2 antipsychotics and a mood stabilizer are just a normal day at the office. But I have extensive experience with mentally ill people.
There has to be a prescribing threshold. And the threshold has to be very different for zoloft and zyprexa.
Unfortunately some of our so called role models in this country, psychiatrists, are very low quality. At least in the state system where I worked. Some I have met don't even speak English well enough to evaluate people.
On the other hand, I currently work with an FNP, who also worked at the same forensic hospital as a RN for a couple of years.
He seems to think he knows alot about psych. I can assure you, he does not.
But I know practically nothing about diabetic management, because it wasn't taught in my program. You can't just absorb it by osmosis.
So yes, there is a huge mental health need out there, but be aware, many of the pts are looking for that magic wand answer to their lifetime of poor choices. Don't get sucked in.