Interested in PMHNP, but need advice

[BlackBettyRN,OCN]

Hi everyone,

I am finishing up my BSN, and I would like to apply to grad school to become an NP. I have always been interested in psych, and I have wanted to be a PMHNP ever since I learned what a nurse practitioner was. However, I live in rural Arkansas, and moving is neither feasible nor desirable to me. The closest town to where I live is a town of about 10,000 and doesn't have any kind of private practice for psychiatry. The only mental health service we have is a Community Counseling. I'm worried about my job prospects as a psych NP. I don't know if the lack of mental health services in my area means there would be a demand for a PMHNP, or if that means there is no demand.

I have considered going to grad school for FNP and later doing a post-masters certification in psych because several FNPs in my area have been successful due to a lack of primary care providers. Would this be a safer path for me? Has anyone done this before? Thanks in advance for any help!

[harmonizer]

FNP-- more flexbility and jobs.

[BlackBettyRN,OCN]

FNP-- more flexbility and jobs.

Ok, do you think I should do only FNP and forget psych, or should I go back after I establish myself as an FNP? Can I practice in both specialties at whatever clinic I end up working as an FNP if I have dual certification?

[harmonizer]

Ok, do you think I should do only FNP and forget psych, or should I go back after I establish myself as an FNP? Can I practice in both specialties at whatever clinic I end up working as an FNP if I have dual certification?

You need psych cert to practice psych. You will need dual certification to practice both unless you are living in a state with restrictive scope of practice with direct supervision- in that case you can practice psych with FNP. But I still would recommend doing FNP due to job's availability. The demand for PMHNP only exists in certain areas of country. FNP will give you more flexibility about where you live.

[whill08]

I also live in rural Arkansas and am halfway finished with the PMHNP program at UAMS. My advice would be if you want to do psych do it, I can't imagine being stuck working as an FNP just because "that's where the jobs are". Personally I haven't ever had an interest in anything but psych, I know some people have varied interests so a dual degree would be a good fit in that case. As far as the job market goes in Arkansas my instructors have told us that every student in each graduating class has multiple job offers prior to graduation. You have to consider there's only one school in Arkansas and they only admit ten students in each cohort. I have no input regarding other areas of the country, but if you plan to stay in Arkansas you should be fine.

[zenman]

Some areas may have a glut of FNPs. Us PMHNPs are rare and make more money. I've never made less than 6 figures from day one. However, you better do what you love or you'll wind up seeing me! 10K population sounds good, especially if there are few providers. Look up similiar sized towns and see how many providers there are. Let's say you live near Arkadelphia. Get on the web and see what's there...therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists. Many providers may not like to live in small towns so you may have it good. Also patients in the town may not like the current providers.

[BlackBettyRN,OCN]

I also live in rural Arkansas and am halfway finished with the PMHNP program at UAMS. My advice would be if you want to do psych do it I can't imagine being stuck working as an FNP just because "that's where the jobs are". Personally I haven't ever had an interest in anything but psych, I know some people have varied interests so a dual degree would be a good fit in that case. As far as the job market goes in Arkansas my instructors have told us that every student in each graduating class has multiple job offers prior to graduation. You have to consider there's only one school in Arkansas and they only admit ten students in each cohort. I have no input regarding other areas of the country, but if you plan to stay in Arkansas you should be fine.[/quote']

Thank you, that is very encouraging. Like you, psych is the only thing I have ever been interested in. How is your PMHNP program going? That is where I am interested in applying.

[BlackBettyRN,OCN]

Some areas may have a glut of FNPs. Us PMHNPs are rare and make more money. I've never made less than 6 figures from day one. However you better do what you love or you'll wind up seeing me! 10K population sounds good, especially if there are few providers. Look up similiar sized towns and see how many providers there are. Let's say you live near Arkadelphia. Get on the web and see what's there...therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists. Many providers may not like to live in small towns so you may have it good. Also patients in the town may not like the current providers.[/quote']

Thank you for your response. This is really what I want to do, and y'all have been very encouraging. There are virtually no providers in this town besides two psychiatrists who have an office at the Community Counseling center, and they also have offices in two other towns, so they are not even accessible most days of the week. I really want to be a PMHNP, I'm just having trouble figuring out where to start.

[whill08]

Thank you that is very encouraging. Like you, psych is the only thing I have ever been interested in. How is your PMHNP program going? That is where I am interested in applying.[/quote']

The program is going very well, if you have any specific questions about it feel free to PM me. Do remember you have to have at least a year of full time RN experience prior to beginning clinical courses (which includes advanced health assessment). Of course a position in psych would serve you very well before you begin school. Also, it is a three year program (six semesters plus one summer). Some semesters are full time, some part time and there is not an option to finish any quicker. Just a few things to consider :)