New PMHNP

Specialties NP

Published

Hello,

I am a new PMHNP. Will be starting in September. I'm nervous about prescribing, dealing with insurance companies, etc. I've been a nurse for 6 years, but I'm still feeling nervous about it all. Any tips or suggestions?

Specializes in PMHNP-BC.

@adammRN I missed the joke.

1 Votes
Specializes in PMHNP-BC.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to provide a thoughtful reply. I have been working now for about 4 months. I work inpatient, dealing with children/adolescents. It is not a difficult job, just had to find my own flow. I enjoy the other NP I am working with. I have learned a lot. Of course, with every job, there are good days and bad days, but I am managing pretty well.

I was just nervous about the unknown. Which I understand, no one can prepare you for that. I was just hoping to get some general advice. Regardless of your job, age, title, etc, I believe it is pretty common for people to be scared of failure. Now that I have been working, I realize I know more and I am far more capable of accomplishing great things.

As far as studying for the exam, there are many threads that go into great detail about what to study. I know that the exam has changed since I took it in June 2019, but here is what I used.

1. Pocket Prep App

2. Purple ANCC book ( pocket prep draws questions from this). Read the entire book, and focus on chapters 1-7.

3. Board Vitals ( 200 questions daily, very hard but detailed, I scored in the 50's and 60's, this is NOTHING like the actual exam but its a great resource, it over prepares you IMO)

4. ANCC PMHNP online questions (about 200).

No need to spend thousands of dollars on different study aids, it will just overwhelm you.

4 Votes
Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

Thanks for the update, I'm glad things are going well for you.

2 Votes
Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.
On 1/5/2020 at 1:37 PM, Bea Bea said:

@adammRN I missed the joke.

I should have posted a more thoughtful response; In my program, at probably around 3-400 clinical hours of seeing patients and rotating through out/inpatient, and doing private and FQHC work, I can say I am ready to do this job already. I have a couple years of regular RN As you noted, there are so many resources out there to guide us. You are not alone, in that this is practice. Everyone is different and there are tons of guidelines and resources out there for your to consult in this field, including your supervising physician right?

I feel as though, our (as providers) thought processes are flawed - we anticipate disasters when none exist, put much anxiety and stress on ourselves. Our own mind is creating this. Mine surely isn't perfect, but when it comes to treating patients the most important thing is something you hopefully got as a floor nurse - working with people is a skill and the basis for all practice. Even with all the things I don't know, I try to be confident, as even if I don't have the perfect answer... we all surely know how to find it. I would have hoped that at the very least your educational program taught you that.

Specializes in Corrections, Public Health, Occupational Medicine.
On 7/19/2019 at 6:15 AM, AnnieNP said:

When I started practicing (primary care) I took the top 5 diagnosis that the practice billed and learned everything I could about them. Good luck to you.

Why did I not think of this- this is an awesome idea for primary care and somewhat in urgent care as well.

Specializes in Corrections, Public Health, Occupational Medicine.
On 1/5/2020 at 11:47 AM, Bea Bea said:

Thanks to everyone who took the time to provide a thoughtful reply. I have been working now for about 4 months. I work inpatient, dealing with children/adolescents. It is not a difficult job, just had to find my own flow. I enjoy the other NP I am working with. I have learned a lot. Of course, with every job, there are good days and bad days, but I am managing pretty well.

I was just nervous about the unknown. Which I understand, no one can prepare you for that. I was just hoping to get some general advice. Regardless of your job, age, title, etc, I believe it is pretty common for people to be scared of failure. Now that I have been working, I realize I know more and I am far more capable of accomplishing great things.

As far as studying for the exam, there are many threads that go into great detail about what to study. I know that the exam has changed since I took it in June 2019, but here is what I used.

1. Pocket Prep App

2. Purple ANCC book ( pocket prep draws questions from this). Read the entire book, and focus on chapters 1-7.

3. Board Vitals ( 200 questions daily, very hard but detailed, I scored in the 50's and 60's, this is NOTHING like the actual exam but its a great resource, it over prepares you IMO)

4. ANCC PMHNP online questions (about 200).

No need to spend thousands of dollars on different study aids, it will just overwhelm you.

So good to hear that you are doing well.

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