Going for MSN-NP

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Specializes in General Acute Care/Med-Tele/Psych.

I am deciding to go back to school to be a nurse practitioner but I am deciding on which specialty to go towards. For reference, I have been a RN (with BSN) since 2020 during the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic. I have experience cardiac-telemetry, med-surg, med-tele, ER over flow, CDU and psych for the last 4 1/2 years. My first full year as an RN was working cardiac-telemetry/CHF unit (high acuity) at a Level 1 trauma center. After that, I did became a travel nurse for another year and a half working at another Level 1 trauma center (Med-Tele as well as float pool) out of state for 6 months and local contracts within my state. I also decided to work acute care float pool for 2 1/2 years. I am aware that psychiatry is within med-surg, cardiac-tele, med-tele so on so forth. I do have 8 months experience in an inpatient psych facility (it will be 1 year in April). 

To make this brief, I am really interested in psychiatry a lot and always have been through experience in the hospital and facilities, schooling (since high school I took psychology, pre-requisites in college as mental health class for nursing) and having/witnessing a very close, immediate family member have schizophrenia for 20 years growing up and seeing how their signs/symptoms were as well as treatment and continued support.

I currently work utilization review for  psych/mental health facility (I enjoy a lot) right now, including having a PRN at a low acuity inpatient psych/detox facility. Should I pursue going into being a psychiatric nurse practitioner or pursue to be an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner? I ask because at my main job they seem a little 'judgy' and just partake in gossip. Also, I asked another PMHNP at that same facility, and they stated that I may need more clinical experience. My colleagues at my PRN, state for me to continue with my master's to be a PMHNP. Feel free to give me as much needed advice :)

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