MSW vs. NP?

Greetings all,

Work in an adolescent psych ward and enjoy my job. I am working on my BSN but am toying with ideas for the future. I would love to be a social worker and get my MSW as I enjoy the interaction with kids and assisting in crisis, etc. though I am aware it feels more like paperwork and red tape than anything.. I also think about the idea of a psych NP of which I know nothing about. I have looked at information on both, the NP just looks like there are not many around-they facilitate groups, treatment plans and such it looks like? I have asked the opinions of social workers, nurses and physicians and the answers are incredibly varied but mostly against the MSW!.. Just looking for another outlet to ask questions in-pros and cons of either choice anyone?Any comments at all would be appreciated.. =)

Thanks.. Have a blessed Christmas season..

My understanding, from our psych professor, is that psych NP's can do therapy, and prescribe meds, depending on the state.

hi. you may want to consult the nurse practitioner forum on this website. I am a psych np and do therapy as well as meds. I dont do groups out of choice. I do help people with their social needs when I have the info.

You will be much more marketable and have more job opportunities as a Psych. APRN. I love it-I'm in adult outpt. private practice group. I'm in high demand here because I can do intakes, diagnose and provide therapy and meds. Good luck! We need more Psych. APRN's in Adolescent and children's Psychiatry.

You will be much more marketable and have more job opportunities as a Psych. APRN. I love it-I'm in adult outpt. private practice group. I'm in high demand here because I can do intakes, diagnose and provide therapy and meds. Good luck! We need more Psych. APRN's in Adolescent and children's Psychiatry.

i am thinking of the same thing.. i graduate in May with my BSN and am working in a Pedi-Adolescent residential facility.. and see the high demand. Any ideas where i can get a psych np in MA or online??

I was a caseworker before I was a nurse. One of the reasons I chose an RN rather than an MSW was that many of my coworkers, doing the same job I did, had MSWs and only made 1K a year more than me (mid-twenties). There was also less flexibility in finding part-time or PRN work in the future when I wanted to start a family. An NP seems to be able to do a bit more.

I am not even an RN yet (finishing up my BSN); however, I currently work in case management and work alongside many social workers with their MSW's. I too wonder about pursuing a higher degree and was torn between MSW and MSN/NP. After discussing this extensively with social workers (in many different contexts -- medical social workers, CPS, case management, etc.), I have discovered that almost everyone of them told me not to pursue my MSW. Their number one reason was that the pay for an MSW was far below that of a staff RN. Money is not everything; however, I think one expects to be making an amount that allows them to live comfortable (especially after getting your masters).

Furthermore, I think case management would get old after doing it for a few years. I have been doing case management work for less than a year and it is already become very monotonous. Just my 2 cents though. :)