RN to Mental Health NP...How?

mtsteelhorse · Jan 3, 2011

I'm in a similar boat. I've decided to pursue my BSN first then move on the advanced degree. There are some bridge programs for RN to MSN but I don't think there are any for FNP. University of ND has a FNP/CNS program in psych that is mostly on-line except for I think one week on campus. Keep digging around and reading these posts. There are LOTS of different program options. I'm limited by funds...but I'm older than you so even more of a rush for me. Because life happens I decided it best to secure that BSN first. Good luck and share what you learn!

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2011

I did a quick google search and came across this site : Psychiatric / Mental Health Nurse Practitioner / CNS Program Directory Looks like there are several programs .

Btw, I am doing RN-MSN (FNP) through Graceland College in Lamoni Iowa, all online except a 4 day mandatory seminar next spring.

SunnyPupRN · Jan 3, 2011

I did a quick google search and came across this site : Psychiatric / Mental Health Nurse Practitioner / CNS Program Directory Looks like there are several programs .
Btw, I am doing RN-MSN (FNP) through Graceland College in Lamoni Iowa, all online except a 4 day mandatory seminar next spring.

Thanks for the info. Are you doing RN to MSN as an associate degree nurse or a BSN nurse?

Will you be practicing Mental Health as well, as a Family Practice Nurse?

:)

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2011

Thanks for the info. Are you doing RN to MSN as an associate degree nurse or a BSN nurse?
Will you be practicing Mental Health as well, as a Family Practice Nurse?
:)

I'm an ADN nurse . There is a need for Mental Health but lack of providers in my area so it is a consideration.

FreudianSlip · Jan 3, 2011

There are many programs out there that offer ADN or BSN to MSN with options of which NP track you want to focus on (such as Psych). Some will require you to do additional hours for your chosen track. All are at least Master's programs. Although there are ADN to MSN...there is nothing quick about these programs! Good luck!

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Jan 3, 2011

One thing you can keep in mind is that if there isn't a convenient program nearby that goes straight to Mental Health then you can get your FNP anywhere you want and THEN go somewhere that offers the mental health certification.

This option might take longer but sometimes it can be a LOT cheaper. A good friend of mine did it that way and the school she went to for FNP was like half the cost of the school she got her mental health certification. It was a difference of like 6 months, but the cost difference was something like 35k.

SunnyPupRN · Jan 3, 2011

One thing you can keep in mind is that if there isn't a convenient program nearby that goes straight to Mental Health then you can get your FNP anywhere you want and THEN go somewhere that offers the mental health certification.
This option might take longer but sometimes it can be a LOT cheaper. A good friend of mine did it that way and the school she went to for FNP was like half the cost of the school she got her mental health certification. It was a difference of like 6 months, but the cost difference was something like 35k.

Really! Wow...So mental health certification takes about 6 months? And you can jump to MSN-FNP from ADN? (Love those abbreviations!)

SunnyPupRN · Jan 3, 2011

I'm an ADN nurse . There is a need for Mental Health but lack of providers in my area so it is a consideration.

Tanz,

How do you like Graceland?

Do you know if they accept federal funding, as I would be submitting FAFSA?

Sunny

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2011

I'm only on my 3rd class, but so far so good. I take 1 class every 8 weeks. Yes, they accept Federal funding. They only offer the FNP program or MSN-Nurse education program right now, so if you want to go into mental health NP you will have to get certified later et elsewhere . I think Allen college in Waterloo Iowa has online RN-Mental Health Nurse practitioner. I think after the year 2015 (at least in Iowa), you have to earn a doctorate to become NP. I'd keep checking around until you find the school that fits your needs and affordability. It took me 6 months of searching until I decided on Graceland (In state tuition).. Good luck finding your program. :)

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2011

Really! Wow...So mental health certification takes about 6 months? And you can jump to MSN-FNP from ADN? (Love those abbreviations!)

No I must of been unclear. The program she went to for FNP was a two year program. To get the mental health certification was another year. So 3 years total. The alternative would of been to go to the more expensive school for 2 and a half years and get the FNP and mental health certification all at once. So doing it her way it took six months longer but she was able to go to a cheaper NP school but the only thing they offered was a FNP. The school that offered the mental health certification was a private school that's kind of well known and prestigious, so I think that's why it cost so much.