Getting into PsychNP School Without Cridentials

[Monique Barber]

Hi, everyone!

I am a recent graduate from a BSN program in Texas, and I eventually want to become a psychiatric NP. I'm really scared and sad because although finding a job as a psychiatric nurse and seeking certification probably won't be an issue, I have no research or publication credentials. I do have the diversity thing going because both of my parents are immigrants from different countries, but my cumulative GPA is low/not competitive at 3.593 and my overall GPA at 3.82. I wish there was a way I could seek research experience, but in the part of Texas I'm from, we don't have many opportunities for psychiatric nursing research. At first, I thought I was going to get my doctorate in psychology, but I like the scientific and prescriptive aspects of advanced nursing. As well, I am really interested in the psychiatric NP field because people on the maternal side of my family have suffered from moderate mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar, and personality disorders. I'm not trying to insult online schools, but I really wanted to attend an online program at a brick-and-mortar school like Texas Tech. Texas Tech is kind of my first choice just because I can't move somewhere and leave my life behind just to take a semester of advanced health assessment. Is there anything I can do to make myself more competitive besides volunteer work?

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I don't know of any school that requires you to have research credentials before applying to an MSN or DNP program. Your GPA is fine. Most schools require 3.2 to 3.5 cumulative GPA for admission.

Research projects can be completed any where. I'm sure there are more research opportunities than you realize. Almost any university is going to have a myriad of on-going research projects. Besides, for your MSN, you simply create the frame-work for your doctoral research project. You don't have to implement it.

So, go for what you want to do. There are brick & mortar programs that still have online students, so don't be too quick to discount other programs. Most brick & mortar schools still have an online component to them and do hybrid courses. Some have switched to online courses with seminars & on-campus skills instruction in-person.

As far as making yourself "competitive", I don't think you need to worry. Fill out your application, write you essay, supply your letters of recommendation and see what happens ?