Graduating BSN soon....next PMHNP

[StocktonNurse, BSN, LVN, RN, EMT-B]

Hello all...I'm here to present some questions and hoping to gain insight into my future. So I will be graduating from a BSN program within 8 months (knock on wood), and I have aspirations to become a PMHNP if my family, and mental and physical health allows it. I want to start minimally preparing myself for this because I know the crossroad lies ahead. I currently work in the VA system and I am fully aware what a PMHNP can do. I have many years now of inpatient and outpatient mental health experience. I'm looking into different colleges and it's hard to pick which school would be a good fit. There are the traditional brick and mortar schools, and then online schools. Now once I pick the school, you either pick the masters PMHNP or the doctors PMHNP. None of these school are near me, I would have to commute to either UCSF or Fresno State (if there program is running). I don't care to go into any DNP programs, and I'm almost skeptical with online programs just because you have to find your own preceptor. I looking for insight and advice on this subject. I would love for a PMHNP such as Jules or Zenman to chime in if possible. Thanks in advance.

[mzaur]

I'd suggest to avoid going to a crappy program. Check out the top ranked PMHNP programs and choose accordingly. You definitely want a program that finds you preceptors. You don't want to go through the headache of finding your own, and you want to start clinicals asap. It will take you a while to find a preceptor which will hold you back a bit, and you'll be rushed to finish all your hours and may only get the minimum required instead of getting more (and learning more). Also, since PMHNP programs are relatively short, you want the best education possible to teach you everything you need to know (well, maybe not everything, that would be impossible). My program at Vanderbilt was a year long (3 semesters). It was tough, but worth it. As for DNP, definitely not required or necessary unless you like doing systems level quality improvement research. UCSF has a great program. Since you live in that area, I'd definitely make it your #1

[PG2018]

Get the least expensive state school you can get. Maybe Uncle Sugar will even pay for it.

Next, get a job like urgent care while in school. You needore exposure to stomatic medicine, and I think ALL PMHNPs need understanding in primary care areas.

After that, find your golden goose and a comfy office chair.