Is it reasonably possible to have two NP specialties?

Specialties NP

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I was curious if it was reasonably possible to be both a family nurse practitioner and a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I would like to deal with both psych and non-psych patients. I am only a nursing student so far, but I know I want to be an NP eventually. I like the sound of psychiatric NP because of the listening/counselling aspects, but I also like the sound of family NP because of the wide age range and the medical aspects. So what do you think? Is it possible to do both?

One website said that a psychiatric family nurse practitioner is a combination of the two specialities. Is that true?

Is there any difference between a psychiatric NP and a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist?

My current preceptor is a FNP and PMHNP. Do one program and get a post-masters in the other.

Look at the NP definition at top of this thread and the CNS one at top of CNS thread.

Ok, thanks. I think I prefer the NP role to the CNS role, but they are kind of similar too. I plan to eventually spend most of my time in home health, which from what I've read seems better for NP rather than CNS which is more hospital based. Maybe I am thinking too far ahead, I am only in my second eight weeks of nursing school, with each class being eight weeks. I think I'd like to get my FNP first, but eventually a part of me wants some psych nursing too. Maybe because that is one of the things that drew me to nursing, I used to spend alot of time talking to depressed people I met on the internet some who were too comfortable with suicide and cutting themselves and just talking to them and letting them know they were worth something gave me a sense of purpose.

Thanks

Psych is the best. Where else can you sit with a patient, armed only with yourself, and explore the mysteries of people's stories. Everyone else has to have a battery of lab or diagnostic tests to tell them what's wrong with a person...boring! :smokin:

Yeah, that is why I want to mix some psych into my nursing! I like the other nursing stuff too, but I think having some psych will give me a more well rounded career. I get to care for both body and mind.

sorry I just saw this thread. I am a BSN student (older) and am planning on going directly in to a DNP program. I, like you, was torn between psych and family practice because I like both and I feel like psych is a huge part of everything. I am planning (hoping) on going to University of TN Health Science Center. They're in Memphis and their program is online except for 2 weeks a semester. The program there is a DNP in family psych and family practice. When you finish you will (after you pass boards) be certified for both!. It is only three years to go from a BSN to a DNP. I've hear lots of good things about it and I was super excited to find out I will be certified for both. Anyway I thought this sounded like something that might interest you.

Thanks! I will definitely look into that!:yeah:

Do you know if they are hard to get accepted into?

I do rather well academically, but I admit nursing school is very hard for me.

I think they are pretty firm about GPA either a 3.0 overall or 3.25 last degree. The rest of the requirements are an essay, references, and an interview. When I asked them about competitiveness for this program that said that it is competitive but not crazy hard to get into. He said the GPA was the main sticking point.

Ok, that souns very possible. Thanks so much... if I can get into this program one day then that will cut about 3 years off my studies.

Do you know if any other colleges off this kind of degree? I figure it would be good to try to apply to as many programs as possible.

Thanks for sharing that about U-T...they have some very attractive offerings, something for everyone. I like that you don't have to start over to get another type of NP certification...you can combine it in a reasonable amount of time to get your DNP.

University of Southern Alabama has a BSN to DNP online program but it requires two years experience (I think) and they don't have the same options for DNP.

That's the only other one I know of but I think lots of schools are adding the option. Several of the ones I have seen require you to be a NP before the DNP which would take too much time for me.

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