I am accepted to begin the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Minnesota beginning in September. I will be pursuing the psychiatric mental health specialty, but recently the thought of adding in the integrated health and healing (IHH) specialty has piqued my interest.
I requested more information on the program recently, and have received several e-mails from various individuals involved with the IHH program about everything from how to add on the specialty to encouragement to take 3-4 of their courses in Hawaii next January. I was even put in touch with a current student who is pursuing both tracks, and I was able to ask her some questions about how she is managing everything.
Today, I met with a veteran mental health social worker; she and I carpooled to a meeting. The topic of school was brought up, and I mentioned my recent interest in this IHH program. Her response gave me some food for thought, and I would like your honest opinion(s) as well: Is integrated health and healing worth pursuing a DNP in? The U of M charges just under 1k per credit, so adding in the IHH classes would substantially increase my tuition, not to mention adding the extra time commitment (and stress). Would the potential employment benefits, if any, be worth the price?
The veteran social worker advised me to take a couple of classes in aromatherapy and yoga and call it a day ?
