FNP vs PsyNP

[drfitness]

I was accepted into a direct entry FNP program this fall that I decided to defer admission to for various reasons. SO now with this year off I am beginning to explore the other specialites that the direct entry program has to offer. I am currently working as a chiropractor ( got my doctorate in 2001) . I have my bachelors AND a masters in psychology however. Sooo.... the big question I have is...are those two fields equal as far as job oppurtunities and salaries go?? I love patient contact and interaction( have had 16 years of it in combined in health care settings ), but my heart tends to lean toward Pychology. However, I heard its not as easy to get a job as a PsyNP as it is as an FNP. I would prefer some input on this topic from people in both those fields ( especially). Any other advise is also greatly appreciated! Oh and the reason I am getting out of the field of chiropractic is that i was in a major car accident a few years ago and still have residual pain in my right shoulder that ONLY acts up after a long day of adjusting:bluecry1:. I do have the classic drop table( for you who are knowledgable on chiropractic) which takes some of the stress off of my shoulder but still I know I will burn out in that field physically probably sooner than later.... Thanks

[al dente]

There is a very strong demand for psych NPs. My PMHNP program of 25 had 6 FNPs who were re-specializing in psych. In some markets, FNPs are a dime-a-dozen while the PMHNPs continue to be in demand.

However, the demand in psych is for prescriptive authority, not psychotherapy/counseling. If psychotherapy is what you want to do, you'll probably not find it as a PMHNP - most employers hire you only to Rx. Psych is a good field but you have to know what you're getting into and it has to be a good fit for you. Also, more and more state BONs are cracking down on FNPs, ANPs, PNPs, etc working in a primarily psych capacity. If you want to do psych you'll need to be certified as a PMHNP at some point in the future, and probably sooner rather than later.

[drfitness]

Thanks that is so helpful to know! Do you know if there is a different between CNS in Psy vs PysNP? Two schools i am interested in offer those two respective programs! Also.. are the salaries higher than Fnp's in the same area. Salary and lifestyle IS impt to me:) THanks!

[al dente]

In some states, psych CNS's cannot Rx and are limited to psychotherapy. I would suggest you pursue PMHNP, not psych CNS. In my area, PMHNPs are in greater demand than FNPs and make more money.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

At my University, we recommend that individuals pursue both the PMH CNS and PMHNP certifications. In Virginia you can be reimbursed for psychotherapy with a CNS certification (but not for a NP). But here only NPs have the prescriptive authority. The curriculum is constructed such that students would be eligible for dual certification by taking just 1 extra class.

[oohnurse]

I think demand for everything is uncertain and can fluctuate. I think you should follow your desire. Considering how easy it is to get post-master in psych after FNP and new online PMHNP popping up, psych NP supply will increase to keep up with the demand in the future....

Look at pharmacy a few years ago, there were more jobs than now... market is getting competitive..

[Smitty08]

Hi ya! Agree with al dente above that there is typically a stronger market for PMHNP, and that could be more variable with FNP nation-wide, but that is only my impression from what I read here. It is true here in my state of CT. Here we can do psychotherapy and med. managment and so can CNS - both are APRNs here in CT, but this varies by state. FNP is great too, I dually certified but it was a lot of clinical placement time (6 placements). Mostly I really like psych but I'm glad I got the exposure to more extensive medical and you will see back and forth co-morbidities no matter which you choose! Best of luck!