How much experience before entering PMHNP program?

[oceanblue52]

Yes another one of *these* posts...I have been an RN for about a year working full-time in community Psych and am looking at PMHNP programs. I have the option to apply for an Aug 2018 start, Jan 2019 or Aug 2019 start. So essentially I would have 2-3 years of full time out patient Psych experience before starting, and then continue working part time while I go through the program. Is this enough experience?

I also have both a BS and MS degree in Psych, so have had some coursework already in the DSM (IV more than V), psychotherapy concepts, diagnosis/treatment case studies...and I do quite a bit of med management and triage with clients spanning all ages in my current job. So I get to see how meds are ordered, titrated/tapered, combined and changed throughout treatment. Finally, I worked inpatient Psych on detox, dual diagnosis, intensive treatment, mood disorders, and children aged 5-18 for about 5 years as a Tech before sitting for the NCLEX.

With that background, do you guys think I have enough experience to start a program part-time in a years time? I'm not too worried about the didactic portion, and I have a fair amount of autonomy in my current position. Also am a member of the APNA and have been working through their CEUs to learn more about the nuances of each disorder and of pharmacology. However, with all these varied jobs and coursework I have an appreciation for how complicated Psychiatry is, there is so much to learn still!

Thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated!

[RosePMHNP]

Hi Oceanblue,

I recently completed my PMHNP (DNP) program and am currently working as a PMHNP in my community. I worked part-time as an RN during my PMHNP program, and I found my RN job in inpatient psychiatry to be extremely helpful during the program. I had only 2 years of psych RN experience before entering the program, and I found that experience to be enough. I don't think waiting to start a PMHNP program in order to get even more RN experience would make a huge difference if you already have a couple years of experience under your belt. It sounds like you have a strong background in psych, so you should have a good foundation for your eventual PMHNP program. To answer your question, I would recommend at least one or two years as an RN in a psych setting before beginning a PMHNP program. Your experience in an outpatient setting should help, but I believe working in an inpatient setting will give you even more insight and exposure to how psychiatric conditions are treated in hospitals and/or the community.

You seem to have a strong background already, and I wish you the best in your program!

[xenogenetic]

I would agree with above advice to find inpatient experience of at least a year before or during psych np school. Since 80% of np grads will find themselves in outpatient settings, if you have a comfort level with and experience in inpatient psych then you will have a big edge, careerwise, gaining inpatient employment. Usually doctors cut their teeth in inpatient settings and then train in outpatient as outpt is lower acuity and "easier." You will be able to see many more different presentations of illnesses and med regimens in inpatient in comparison to outpt.

[oceanblue52]

Appreciate the feedback, thank you so much!