FNP after PMHNP

[SDStudent1]

What are your thoughts on getting an FNP cert after a PMHNP MSN. I feel it would be beneficial to have a more in depth medical knowledge and background than a PMHNP program offers. I take the general advanced Patho, pharm, and assessment but then move on into specialty PMHNP program. I would think the FNP clinicals is where that knowledge is solidified. I work in psych and almost all of my patients have medical problems that are not being addressed properly. I would like to be in a position to handle both. A counter argument I have heard is that doing so opens you up to significant liability if something terrible happens because you have a FNP qualification. Not sure if I agree with that but I have been told that by several people so thought it was worth considering. Thoughts ?

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

Taking the class for the benefit of knowledge is admirable, but a lot of work and expense that isn't well spent imo. If you have the opportunity to combine the two in your work then it might be worth it. But it's also twice the certifications and twice the expressed to keep those up. I find mental health cert can help in a primary care environment, but you will need a serious employer that lets you desperate those clients and allows the appropriate time per patient which is a hard sell in primary care. Any dual cert NPs I've met eventually swapped to straight mental health because the money is better and the expectations are by far more appropriate.

If you sell more rounded knowledge to aid in your pmhnp work, there are probably a broad range of ce topics and one off courses you can utilize.

[Oldmahubbard]

I did the ANP first, then PMHNP. I never practiced as an ANP, and would not do it if I had it to do over.

Sounds nice on paper, but the logistics and reimbursement are not good. Even in states with full practice authority, you are very unlikely to find a position that will allow you to combine the roles. It boils down to reimbursement. Unless you have your own business, and even in FPA states, insurance companies will require 2 collaborators for the specialties.

[Jules A, MSN]

I find mental health cert can help in a primary care environment, but you will need a serious employer that lets you desperate those clients and allows the appropriate time per patient which is a hard sell in primary care. .

This. It doesn't make sense to cover both without 2xs the appointment time and pay.

If you are working inpatient psych having FNP or ACNP also is important to be able to make minor adjustments on somatic medications unless you have an assigned hospitalist which is becoming rare. I disagree that it increases your liability because any NP could be considered negligent for not identifying and consulting on acute concerns or changes, RN also for that matter.

[SDStudent1]

Thank you for the input. The head of my program is a PMHNP and an FNP and talked a lot about working in Alaska doing telehealth using both for those without access to in person healthcare. Seemed like a really interesting career. I am not an NP yet so I don't know the realities of actually working in the field. I guess my biggest fear is missing a medical problem that someone who is an FNP would easily recognize. That being said, I guess there is nothing stopping me from picking up a book and studying on my own. Thank you guys for you responses.

[Goldenfox]

I wouldn't do this if I were you. But that depends on exactly what you plan to do after you complete your education and where you wil be practicing. Where you will be working they will hire you as family/internal medicine or psych. Of course, if you have both certifications they may use you in both capacities but you are unlikely to get any extra compensation. If you have a genuine interest in psych then stick with that and forget FNP. Grad school is very expensive and time consuming, and reimbursements are declining. Do the math.

[SDStudent1]

I reluctantly agree with you guys lol. I don't really have any interest in working as a FNP, I just wanted the certification and knowledge that comes with it. To be honest, I didn't give much thought to reimbursement rates and education cost. Seems like the return on investment would make it not ideal. So, if its not something I plan on actually utilizing, it seems my time would be better served focusing on something else. I appreciate you guys giving me a dose of reality.

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

I reluctantly agree with you guys lol. I don't really have any interest in working as a FNP, I just wanted the certification and knowledge that comes with it. To be honest, I didn't give much thought to reimbursement rates and education cost. Seems like the return on investment would make it not ideal. So, if its not something I plan on actually utilizing, it seems my time would be better served focusing on something else. I appreciate you guys giving me a dose of reality.

I'm not gonna lie, when I graduated FNP school I entertained the idea of adding a PMHNP cert. But when I saw the reality of working in primary care, I wouldn't anticipate getting any particular pay bump just because I had that certification. At least not substantially enough to justify the cost of education.