Is it more practical to become a PMHNP or a FNP with specialization/cert in Psych

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The reason I ask is because while Psychiatric-Mental Health is a strong passion of mine, I am also interested in other specialties, such as Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family, Derm, etc. In other words, an FNP.

What's the big difference?

I know this is an old post, but hoping the posters here can help......which States require additional certification or training to treat psychiatric patients as an FNP? Which certification or training are you referring to, a post-masters cert? I have seen job announcements for "looking for an FNP with psychiatric nursing background" but other than that, I haven't seen a specific ad for FNP with additional psych training aside from getting a certification in psych post-masters level. Thanks for any help. I've often wondered this.

I am an FNP and have never heard of any special additional certification for FNPs to treat psychiatric patients, though there certainly could be something I am not aware of. Psych practice is within your Scope of Practice an an FNP, but as with anything, know your own limitations, and refer what you are not comfortable or experienced with. Never hurts to get additional continuing ed in a certain area if that's where your interest lies as well. Certainly if you plan to work exclusively in psych, PMHNP is the way to go..

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to student NP

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