Hi all! I'm masters level, licensed in psychotherapy (LPC-S) with over 20 years in private practice, and I'm pretty good at diagnostics, treatment, and supervision. I finally have the time and resources to pursue my career-long dream of being able to prescribe to my patients, but if I go back and do a traditional BSN I will be 61 years old when I'm done! So direct entry PMHNP is the way to go, IF I can get in. Can anyone help an old guy out with a bit of information?
If you've done a PMHNP program, do you think my zero RN experience related to "medical" treatment will put me at a big disadvantage for admission, or will my experience in mental health offset that? And will being 56 years old likely trigger some subtle age discrimination?
If I CAN'T get into a direct entry, and need to do an Accelerated BSN, have any of you ever seen a program that allows you to customize a BSN curriculum to focus on psych? Didn't think so, but why not ask? Barring that, (sheepish grin) any recommendations on an "easier" accelerated BSN? (Don't judge me - I'm close enough to my brain's expiration date I will never change career direction from Psych, sitting in my own office with a cup of coffee like I've done the past 20+ years, so the majority of what I will use is going to be at the masters level.)
Just wanted to reply that the PMHNP that I see for my ADHD did exactly what you describe in your post. She is a bit younger(early 40's) but she was LCSW for around 15 years and then she felt like she could help people more with medicine, she did a direct entry program and is now practicing after three years. In my opinion she is great practitioner. As for your situation, there are a few good online Psych NP programs around the country, if you do it part time it takes around 7 semesters or three years. That could be an option but it would take longer, whatever you decide good luck on your journey!
Thanks so much for sharing that encouragement with me, HopefullNurse! I am taking one foot off the fence and am RIGHT NOW waiting on course content to finish downloading - I am going to try to knock out AP and Chem prerequisites before the end of the year so I can apply to an Accelerated BSN (at Baylor, which I cannot possibly begin to afford, but that's the next hurdle I suppose). If I can't get into Baylor (or get adequate funding), I may have to look at an online BSN program, but I can't imagine how in the world such a program can work online.
Fellow LPC-S in private practice with 18 years of experience and currently considering taking the same leap! It's been six years since you made this post - did you do it? If so, how was it and have you finished?
HopefullNurse17
18 Posts
Hey TXLPC,
Just wanted to reply that the PMHNP that I see for my ADHD did exactly what you describe in your post. She is a bit younger(early 40's) but she was LCSW for around 15 years and then she felt like she could help people more with medicine, she did a direct entry program and is now practicing after three years. In my opinion she is great practitioner. As for your situation, there are a few good online Psych NP programs around the country, if you do it part time it takes around 7 semesters or three years. That could be an option but it would take longer, whatever you decide good luck on your journey!