FNP vs PMHNP

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Surg tele, Acute Rehab.

So I know I want to become a nurse practitioner, I just cannot decide on going FNP for more flexibility or PMHNP because I enjoy learning about the mind. Everyone always tells me to go FNP to be more flexible. I graduated with my BSN from the University of South Alabama in May 2011. After passing boards, I worked in the Air Force as a RN on an orthopedic-surgical unit. I have experience working with trauma, orthopedics, geriatrics, acute rehab, med-surg tele patients. I currently work in a VA hospital in acute rehab taking care of patients with traumatic brain injuries, anoxic brain injuries, mental illnesses, PTSD, strokes and so on. I float to our inpatient psychiatric unit often. After taking care of wounded warriors following IED blasts in Afghanistan, I felt like psych NP was the right route for me. I started a psych NP program via University of South Alabama Spring 2014 but withdrew after one semester. I did not like the learning format. In the Fall of 2015, I started Simmons College online FNP program. I enjoyed the learning format at Simmons however it did not work with my job. I work a panama schedule. I left Simmons after one semester. Now I want to start NP school again and everyone tells me to do FNP. I have been accepted to UTA's FNP program. I was thinking about applying to EKU's PMHNP program but I am not sure. I feel like if I go FNP and I am seeing 13 patients per day. I probably will not enjoy it. I want to have time to listen to my patients, educated them and come up with a treatment plan. I also thought about pursuing FNP and later going for a post-Master's certificate in PMHNP

How do I decide which route to take?

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Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

I believe that's a smart route to go to avoid employment issues: FNP then a post-master's certification.

I'm going for my FNP. I know exactly what I want to do, well, at least for now. Who knows what the future holds?

Also, you need to decide on a university and try to stick with it. Do lots of research on the university via website and different forums. You can ask previous students how they thought the program was: curriculum, exams, proctor sites, online vs. on campus, response time, if they felt prepared or feel if they're being prepared, tuition, preceptors etc. I know it's difficult because there are a TON of NP programs out there, just so many!

I'm starting this upcoming Fall, Monday actually and I am so excited. The workload is crazy, but I'm looking forward to it. The instructors put a lot of work into the program to make it engaging to the students, which is great since it is a distance learning program.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Surg tele, Acute Rehab.

gelli.25 Thank you for your response. If you do not mind me asking which distance learning program did you choose to attend?

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Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.
gelli.25 Thank you for your response. If you do not mind me asking which distance learning program did you choose to attend?

Angelo State University in Texas, it's a brick and mortar university with a distance learning FNP program.

Also, congrats on getting into UT-Arlington! I have a friend in the UTA-FNP online program. She's doing the one class at a time, so quarter sessions as opposed to semesters. I'm doing semesters, full-time. There's also a ton of forums for UTA here on allnurses.com. I did look into their online program, but decided not to go with them.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask! :-)

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Surg tele, Acute Rehab.

Congrats on getting into Angelo State U. I was planning on starting UT Health Science Center in San Antonio (brick and mortar) now but I had to withdraw because of health issues. I wanted to attend UTHSCSA so I did not have worry about finding preceptors. They only have one start date and that is Fall. I do not want to wait until next Fall to start. It sucks that I lost my $500 nonrefundable fee but I had to focus on my health. I wish they had a spring start date. There program is considered on-campus however you only attend campus 10 times per semester and the rest is online. The use the CANVAS online system for courses. I hope you have a great first semester through Angelo State. I am scheduled to start UTA Sep 26th

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