FNP vs. PMHNP

[CHERBEAR819]

Hi,

I was hoping someone would be able to help me. I am torn between going to school for my family nurse practitioner or for Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I was wondering, as a family Nurse practitioner (FNP) or ARNP can you then still work in Psych or do you have to have a special certification to? Also, same question reversed: If you get a PMHNP lisence, can you still work in a family health care setting that is non-psych related?

THANK YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP! I am Torn which to go into!

[harmonizer]

There is already a thread about this. I repeated the same thing every time I posted. Yes, you can work as FNP in psych settings in some states. No, you cannot work as FNP in psych settings in some states. It depends on the definition of the state board of nursing and the board that define APRN authorization. But to be noted that some state board has tightened up the scope of practice recently to match the ANCC certification. Psych NP usually cannot work in primary care settings. The specialty is very limited in scope of practice. As a psych NP, I recommend going for FNP. It is more versatile and has boarder scope. I won't feel stuck and can do a lot more things.

[Jules A, MSN]

I would also add that if you do not have any inpatient psych nursing experience please get some before you pursue psych-NP. It blows my mind that schools would consider someone without psych experience for a specialty degree but I guess the almighty dollar speaks volumes. Trust me when I say that school will not adequately prepare you to be competent in mental health prescribing without some background.

[Barnstormin' PMHNP]

You can also get your PMHNP degree and then a post masters in FNP. I 100% agree with Jules, you need to work in psych before you pick it as a specialty. We have people in our program that are going for psych and have not worked it.... they're the "touchy-feely" type that is in for a rude awakening, I have listened to them talk in class and feel dread for them for their first exposure to an inpatient unit.

[Jules A, MSN]

You can also get your PMHNP degree and then a post masters in FNP. I 100% agree with Jules you need to work in psych before you pick it as a specialty. We have people in our program that are going for psych and have not worked it.... they're the "touchy-feely" type that is in for a rude awakening, I have listened to them talk in class and feel dread for them for their first exposure to an inpatient unit.[/quote']

Yes and are prime for the picking for the substance abusing clients who present requesting a stimulant for their "adult onset ADHD" as well as their extreme need for Xanax for their panic disorder because "it is the only thing that works". I'll refrain from even starting in on the ability, or lack there-of, to discern actual psychosis vs borderline personality disorder c/o auditory hallucinations.

[harmonizer]

You can also get your PMHNP degree and then a post masters in FNP.

I recommend the reverse. Once you start going psych route (unless you work in few specialties eg. medical-psych or hospital consultation-liaison psych setting) your medical knowledge may get rusty.. and now I am nervous to go back for FNP... I know people would argue that yeah ! psych patient having medical commodities! and blah blah blah.. but if you do not get to treat/diagnose it, you will forget what you learned! If you are still hesitating, go FNP route!

[zminnu]

Hi! I am currently experiencing the same dilemma as you, PMHNP vs FNP... and i'm wondering now that its been 3 years since your post, what did you decide and what are your thoughts on your decision? Thanks!