Nurse Practitioner Mental Health

[tseabury12]

Hello Everyone

I am considering entering a PMHNP program. I have already been accepted to EKU but it seems it could take upward of 3 years and I am thinking I would like to finish the program sooner. I plan on applying to Vanderbilt but I have read threads that have reported negatively on how Vandy handled clinical placement for distance learners. Has anyone went to either EKU or Vandy? Is there anyone in the Boston area that would recommend another program.

Thank You

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Hello,

I do not personally have any info on these programs, but there are others out there who have. Good luck.

[Jules A, MSN]

I don't understand why people are concerned about finding their own local preceptors. As a nurse I had tons of local contacts and found it to be a major benefit for me with both my original NP and post masters cert. I loved being in control with the site selection and preceptor. It ensured that I had competent preceptors, in fact I used all MDs, who knew me and were willing to allow me to do more than if I was starting with a stranger.

[mtsteelhorse]

I am attending EKU but have not started clinicals yet. I like the program thus far. I was accepted to several online programs and they all required students to find their own preceptors. I recommend contacting some providers in your area and ask to shadow them. That's a great way to begin making connections.

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

I don't understand why people are concerned about finding their own local preceptors. As a nurse I had tons of local contacts and found it to be a major benefit for me with both my original NP and post masters cert. I loved being in control with the site selection and preceptor. It ensured that I had competent preceptors, in fact I used all MDs, who knew me and were willing to allow me to do more than if I was starting with a stranger.

Everyone doesn't have a large, pick of the litter network of preceptors to choose from. There is also competition from local schools, some providers belong to a group that does not allow them to precept anyone they choose. Some nurses work in more solitary jobs (home health, case management from home etc..). There could be many reasons that they don't have the access that you were blessed with. I am not being argumentative just wanted to explain why some nurses are concerned about forking over tens of thousands of dollars and being forced to find their own preceptors.

[SydneyJo1]

I went to Vandy as a distance student. I had to find my own preceptors, and thankfully I was able to do so relatively easily. It's important to look early and make sure you have preceptors lined up well before the start of classes. I have no complaints about how Vandy's clinical placement office handled things. I had to find the preceptors, but they handled all the paperwork and were very efficient. Honestly, I think there were more problems with the local clinical sites than the distance sites (people changing jobs, etc).

[Jules A, MSN]

Everyone doesn't have a large, pick of the litter network of preceptors to choose from. There is also competition from local schools, some providers belong to a group that does not allow them to precept anyone they choose. Some nurses work in more solitary jobs (home health, case management from home etc..). There could be many reasons that they don't have the access that you were blessed with. I am not being argumentative just wanted to explain why some nurses are concerned about forking over tens of thousands of dollars and being forced to find their own preceptors.

I totally get what you are saying and do consider myself blessed to be very well connected but it didn't happen by accident. I find it incredulous that all nurses especially those of us who are expanding our horizons don't spend more time honing professional contacts. Part of my strategy since I got my LPN was to recognize those super smart colleagues, especially the good physicians, I come in contact with and do whatever I could to foster relationships in an effort to learn from them and participate in a collegiate manner. As mentioned it has been especially helpful for me in the area of new job opportunities and lining up MD preceptors in a variety of venues.

[puravidaLV]

Another EKU student. I applied to Vanderbilt and EKU. I took EKU because of one simple little fact on vany site :

" How many times do I need to visit campus?Eight times over a one-year period."

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Family) | Master of Science in Nursing | Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

yea flying out to nashvillle from the west coast 8 times means that I would be spending nearly 6k on flights...nope...

[mariomexusa]

Hi tseabury12, Congratulations on your acceptance into the PMHNP program at EKU! Have you decided where you are going to attend? There are 3 of us (myself included) that are starting the same program this January of 2015, and we found each other through this forum.

Let me know if you decided on EKU. One of my fellow classmates started a FB EKU closed group for support, and we can invite you to join it as well. Take care and best of luck to you!