Interested in Psych NP but in FNP prog

zenman · Aug 26, 2015

Do a post-masters program and then start working on certificates, further training etc., cause that's what we do in psychâ€¦never stop ...

allnurses Guide · Aug 26, 2015

You can do a post-master certificate in PMHNP; that's probably your best option. You could look for a job in psych as an FNP but legally and ethically that may not be the right thing to do.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 26, 2015

Try searching in this section because there are quite a few good threads on this topic. You would be best to get in touch with your BON because in my state FNPs are not allowed to practice primarily in psychiatry and could lose their license. At the very least I always recommend doing some nursing work on a locked in patient psych unit to see a variety of presentations and medication regimens.

PG2018 · Aug 26, 2015

If it's legal and you're opposed to a post-master's certificate then find some dedicated courses in psychopharmacology and psychopathology. Learn how to do a quality mental status exam (most NPs, PAs, and physicians can't seem to do this), and learn the nuances of a psychiatric evaluation. Look over some of the assessment "instruments" available to psychiatry. I never actually use them, but they're a good tool. As an aside, I often refer autism spectrum kids to a psychologist for testing to sort through autism, IQ, ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders. This isn't needed, but I find so many that are subclinical, and since many of them are on Medicaid they're not funded if they're primarily ADHD, ODD, or ASD. Fortunately, I have a clinical psychologist in my shop. Beyond that, search for a lot of CE and get some training in with another psychiatric clinician. The comorbid, SMI stuff is more complicated than a lot of family practice types make it out to be. I get so many people with irritability whose PCPs have diagnosed with some degree of bipolarity. Oh, and learn kids. Schools want them practically sedated, and so many kids are just really awful now. I don't know where kids like that were when I was growing up. Of course, "parent" is an endangered species.

BirkieGirl · Aug 26, 2015

all great advice! I guess it totally escaped me that a post masters certificate would be an option...in my exhausted NP-student brain i was thinking an entire other degree would be required! that is something i will look into as time goes on. i'm also teaching a psych rotation for the undergrad nursing program at my school for experience and have contacted several NPs in psych locally to commit some clinical hours for MY training...

harmonizer · Aug 26, 2015

My question is this: other than pursuing a psych NP program after my FNP (not really inclined to do this), what other training options are there to give me a foot up into field? I am thinking about certificates, training courses, etc...any suggestions appreciated!

If your states allows, you can just practice psych with FNPs (if you are comfortable about scope of practice issues)- usually the states that allow this is not independent practice state and they are ok with this since there is supervising psychiatrist anyway. Regardless, you just have to consult BON for this. Extra training is not as important as finding someone to hire you. In some states (OR,AZ,WA,IA, MD, and Texas too I think), the mental health practice is restricted to only psych NP. I still think post-master is the best option in case you have to travel to other states that require this. Even though it is not require, some employers prefer the board certification anyway.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Aug 26, 2015

some insurance companies require the psych certification, in order to pay for your services, too...