How to become a psych NP??

[Techno_RN]

Greetings everyone!

I've visited this website for advice before, but this is my first post as a user. Thank you in advance for your help.

Here is my situation which I am looking for feedback on. These pertains to practicing nursing in Indiana, so I am looking for people with knowledge from this state please.

I am an RN with a BSN. I have worked on an IMCU for over 2 years and have been accepted into grad school to get my MSN-FNP and start in the Fall. However, I recently had someone close to me get diagnosed with a mental illness, which has increased my interest in mental health nursing quite a bit. Unfortunately, the school I go to does not have an MSN-PMHNP program, and the only ones available are basically online programs. I briefly spoke to an NP that I work with, and she said that I can still get certified as a psych NP, even after going through the MSN-FNP program. I'm just wondering how and that is the reason for this post.

So basically, how can I become a certified psych NP after going through my MSN-FNP program in the state of Indiana? I still want to do the MSN-FNP program to stay well-rounded; I just want to know how to get the psych certification on top of it.

Thank you for your time and advice.

Techno_RN

[broughden]

Complete a post MSN certificate program.

Such as this one available in Indiana: Post Masters Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) - University of Southern Indiana

Frontier Nursing University has an on campus, in person, post MSN certificate program in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and is in KY, which is right next door to IN.

Frontier Nursing University | Frontier Nursing University Post-Graduate Certificates for Nurses

[Jules A, MSN]

Although I know this isn't the most popular response please also consider getting inpatient adult psychiatric experience before deciding this is the specialty for you. Our education is so brief that in my opinion we owe our patients the consideration and respect of having a solid psych background before trying our hand at diagnosing and medicating this vulnerable population.