How does working as an R.N. beforehand help in being a nurse practitioner?

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I want to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner however I don't think R.N. duties would give me experience that would help me in that career ex: giving insulin, giving pills, helping patients brush teeth. The two career paths I could take is either getting a BA not in nursing and then doing an accelerated MSN program in which I won't have to be an R.N. or I can get a BSN, be a nurse and then pursue my MSN. Although I would really love to avoid being a nurse beforehand in what ways would being a nurse beforehand help in a NP career, specifically psychiatric?

P.S. I don't really have a passion for nursing I just want to practice psychiatry without actually going to medical school and being psychiatric nursing practitioner seems right for me.

If you really want to go the easy route become a PA or a Psychologist.

As an RN and the mother of a fourth year clinical psychology Ph.D student who has been working her tail off for 8 years post-high school and still has several years to go before she has completed all of her requirements, I can say without reservation that there is nothing "easy" about becoming a psychologist.

Specializes in Behavioral Health.
If you really want to go the easy route become a PA or a Psychologist.

Yeah... Cura te ipsum. Getting into a psychology PhD program is incredibly difficult. When I applied to UW they got 900 applicants for 5 slots. You not only have to find a good school, you have to locate a faculty mentor at each school you apply to who studies what you're interested in studying and who is currently accepting grad students. You not only need stellar grades and research experience, but most schools now want undergrads to have published in an academic journal (in the area of specialty of the person you're applying to work with), which basically means you have to plan not only grad school but your undergrad around a specific topic. The average number of applications to submit for one acceptance is seven, which amounts to about $1,000 in application fees.

And that's before you even get into a five year program.

Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

Yeah, if you want without the nursing - you should definitely look into PA school or even medical school. I'm absolutely clueless as to why there is even a route to gain credentials as a NP without RN experience anyway; it defeats the purpose of a NURSE Practitioner, but whatever.

I think becoming a nurse first is definitely beneficial in plenty ways. That being said, when you're a provider (NP), you know how it feels to be on the other side. You understand how the nurse feels when you get that late night call or calls because you were once there. PAs and MDs and DOs, they don't understand what it's like. Apparently they forget that nurses cannot write orders. They forget that it is called neglect if we fail to act. Well, Dr. So and So I'm sorry I'm waking your from beauty sleep, but my patient needs XYZ so DO YOUR JOB.

And it isn't just administering insulin, insulin is a big deal -- ya know, without it or having too much of it can lead to death; just thought I should mention that to you.

And I am in no way trying to shatter your spirits, but your post came off in a very bad way.

In fact, why do you even want to be a NP? I'm totally curious.

P.S You should probably change your name as it does not reflect your profession as you are not currently a nurse practitioner. Good Luck :)

I was a psych RN for years. In addition to passing a few meds I did group and individual therapy, crisis intervention, suicide assessment, and all manner of milieu and staff management. At many times I was the only RN on, and therefore responsible for the full department. Being a psych RN (which I did right out of my BSN program) will be critical to being a PMHNP. Quality nursing is not just about skills (those can be learned, forgotten, retaught) but organization, critical thinking, and constant assessment. These can be honed in any setting, and are applicable to any career.

Yeah... Cura te ipsum. Getting into a psychology PhD program is incredibly difficult. When I applied to UW they got 900 applicants for 5 slots. You not only have to find a good school, you have to locate a faculty mentor at each school you apply to who studies what you're interested in studying and who is currently accepting grad students. You not only need stellar grades and research experience, but most schools now want undergrads to have published in an academic journal (in the area of specialty of the person you're applying to work with), which basically means you have to plan not only grad school but your undergrad around a specific topic. The average number of applications to submit for one acceptance is seven, which amounts to about $1,000 in application fees.

And that's before you even get into a five year program.

My Sister-in-law is a Psychologist and attained her master degree from an online program.

The Dictionary defines Psychologist;

Quote: A psychologist is a professional who evaluates and studies behavior and mental processes[1] (see also psychology). Typically, psychologists must have completed a university degree in psychology, which is a master's degree.

End of Quote.

A psychiatrist. Now that's another story. I stand by my statement.

Specializes in Behavioral Health.
My Sister-in-law is a Psychologist and attained her master degree from an online program.

The Dictionary defines Psychologist;

Quote: A psychologist is a professional who evaluates and studies behavior and mental processes[1] (see also psychology). Typically, psychologists must have completed a university degree in psychology, which is a master's degree.

End of Quote.

A psychiatrist. Now that's another story. I stand by my statement.

Most states don't allow individuals with a master's to be licenced as a psychologist. Thus, if your SIL refers to herself as a psychologist it's likely shorthand for something else. In the US a doctoral degree is considered the entry to practice degree.

Also, truncating a quote because the last few words weaken its support for your position is fairly dishonest.

I've been a nurse for 9 years and I'm halfway through NP school. I was under the impression you couldn't be accepted to NP school unless you had your BSN and RN experience. My school requires at least 2,000 hours of clinical experience post nursing school to apply. I would be very scared of a NP without RN experience.

I'm pretty insulted. Your question confuses me. You want to be a nurse without being a nurse? You subtly insinuate that you don't want to put in the work to be an actual MD and earn a degree as a psychiatrist, but at the same time bash our profession, and the work it involves (BTW, which is way more than passing meds and brushing teeth) while thinking it will provide you with some type of short cut to a career? How does that work? I see that you meant no harm, but your tone does come across as rather harsh and dismissive. Asking nurses for help to not be a nurse, while suggesting that what they do is beneath you.

People who choose nursing do so because they are drawn to that profession. They aren't wanna be doctors. It's two completely different areas of study. A MD studies the disease to be able to treat the disease. An RN studies the disease PROCESS to be able to treat the person affected by it. Apples and oranges. That's not what an NP is all about--they aren't doctors who cheated the system and got out of school two years sooner. They're nurses. You said you aren't interested in being a nurse. If your heart isn't in nursing, then please, do not jump into it. You're not going to like it. Sounds like you may need to do medical school if that's where you want to be. Or PA school? But in order to be an NP, you have to go through a LOT of nursing school, nursing work, then specialize, then you hit your goal. Just go all out MD and bee-line it there.

My Sister-in-law is a Psychologist and attained her master degree from an online program.

The Dictionary defines Psychologist;

Quote: A psychologist is a professional who evaluates and studies behavior and mental processes[1] (see also psychology). Typically, psychologists must have completed a university degree in psychology, which is a master's degree.

End of Quote.

A psychiatrist. Now that's another story. I stand by my statement.

And it's nonsense. Most working psychologists have undergone vigorous preparation, not some online, part time "easy" degree program. By the end of it, many have spent just as many years in school and training as an MD has.

Both master's and doctoral programs offer advanced theoretical and practical study. Unlike undergraduate programs, graduate programs may be devoted to a single area of psychology practice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a master's degree can help an individual qualify to work as an industrial-organizational psychologist and, in some states, a school psychologist. Research, clinical and counseling psychologist jobs usually require either a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, which is research based, or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree, which involves more practical training and experience. Some doctoral programs require a master's degree for admission; others accept students who have just finished their undergraduate studies. Most states require school psychologists to earn a minimum 60-credit hour Ed.S. degree.[h=4]Success Tip[/h]

  • Select an accredited program. Students who eventually plan to seek licensure should consider programs that are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). According to the APA, some governmental organizations and state licensing boards require an APA-approved degree.

[h=3]Step 3: Complete an Internship, Residency or Supervised Practicum[/h]According to the BLS, most psychologist jobs require experience, and many states require it for licensure. This experience is usually gained through an internship or residency that may be completed during or immediately after graduate school. Internships allow students to apply their learned psychological techniques to practical cases and gain experience working with patients. Depending on the branch of psychology, internships may take place in hospitals, schools or government-run facilities. Additional education in the form of seminars and research may be a requirement.

Education Needed to Become a Psychologist | Education Roadmap

Yeah... Cura te ipsum. Getting into a psychology PhD program is incredibly difficult. When I applied to UW they got 900 applicants for 5 slots. You not only have to find a good school, you have to locate a faculty mentor at each school you apply to who studies what you're interested in studying and who is currently accepting grad students. You not only need stellar grades and research experience, but most schools now want undergrads to have published in an academic journal (in the area of specialty of the person you're applying to work with), which basically means you have to plan not only grad school but your undergrad around a specific topic. The average number of applications to submit for one acceptance is seven, which amounts to about $1,000 in application fees.

And that's before you even get into a five year program.

This is true. My D was accepted into the Number 2 ranked clinical psychology program in the nation. She had two years of research experience and had published a paper (not as first author). The application process was brutal, she flew all over the country interviewing. She was an emotional wreck by the end of it, but getting accepted into such a prestigious program was only the beginning. She has vigorous academic requirements, she has to do a significant amount of research, she must teach as a TA. She is expected to publish (she has) and present at conferences. She had to jump through hoops to get her dissertation topic accepted, and now must write grant proposals to get some of it funded. After her dissertation, she must do another year of internship in order to be able to sit for her licensing exam. There is NOTHING easy about her program. I doubt any kind of nursing program is anywhere close to being as vigorous and brutal as this program is and has been, and those nursing programs are no piece of cake. Students in the top programs are expected to show the highest levels of achievement. This is no easy online faux program, it is an incredibly demanding and time consuming endeavor.

Specializes in Emergency.

Last I checked, nurse practitioners (and by the way, I am married to one) still have to TEACH patients on how to take medications.

Specializes in PMH.
Also, PAs are uncommon in psych. If a person wanted to get into psych then suggesting PA school may be doing them a disservice.

Interesting. I wonder if this is regional. I work in a small OP MH clinic where we have Drs, CRNPs and PA-Cs who all have caseloads in the clinic and a few of the PA-Cs round at a local inpt psych unit on the weekends.

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