MSW vs. NP?

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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..

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Specializes in L&D, PACU.
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.

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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.

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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.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

If money is a consequential factor in your decision-making process, I know of some MSWs who earn less than $40,000 per year.

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.
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??

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Specializes in ICU, L&D, Home Health.

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.

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

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. :)

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