PhD psych to FNP/psych

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I am curious, I am looking to go back to school. I currently hold a PhD in psych but want to be an Psych Nurse Practitioner. Does anyone know a faster route or alternate route of going through an LVN bridge to RN to FNP in Psych? Is there a way to use by PhD to get into an FNP/psych program without having my RN license first? What does an RN certificate program do? I am trying to make a fast transition. Thank you in advance for any input :)

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Some schools, Vanderbilt for example, allow non-nurses to apply to specific NP specialties. Vanderbilt has a program where you would 3 semesters of classwork, then an additional 3 semesters in the Psychiatric Mental Health NP courses.

http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/pmhnp_plan.html

As far as your PhD giving you an additional edge on someone with just a bachelor's degree, I have no idea. Hopefully that website give you some ideas of where to start digging and some other members with more knowledge than me chime in.

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I agree with the PP. There are many combined degree programs for students who hold non-nursing degrees. These programs are quite expensive and for the most part are offered at private schools. Usually the BSN portion needs to be completed full time. You can look at US News and World Report for nursing graduate school rankings for schools that have high ranking Psych NP programs.

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Great information! Thank you for your help.

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