Please help

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Alright so I'm at my wits end going back and forth with this. I love psychology it's my all time favorite subject! So naturally I said oh I wanna be a psychologist which was fine until I realized how much schooling you must complete so I looked into lcsw and masters of psych programs. You don't have many job opportunities with a masters in psych and the income for lcsw is very very low. I have two children I get no help from their dad and I have no family so me going to school for 6 more years after my undergrad living off a stipend is not realistic and healthy for my children. Going to school for my undergrad and then 3 more years in a masters program just to have a very low salary is also not going to work. Someone pointed me in the direction of psychiatric nurse practitioner since I emphasized I like psych so much but my only problem with it and this is going to sound high school is that I won't have a lot of knowledge and I don't want doctors to criticize me because I don't know something. So if any NPs can comment on that I would love it!

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

I don't understand why you think you will not have "a lot of knowledge," after going through an NP program?

On what do you base this?

Perhaps you can get your NP and after getting a position (the proverbial foot in the door) that will help support your family, you can expand and obtain your doctorate?

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Only because I've heard doctors in my family talk bad about nurse practitioners

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

Are you a nurse now?

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Be aware that being a psych NP has v. little to do with "psychology" and is primarily about prescribing medications.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
Only because I've heard doctors in my family talk bad about nurse practitioners

Doctors will always talk bad about NPs because they don't want NPs to gain independent practice and NP education model is different (i.e., not the same as theirs = bad & inferior). Always take others' opinions with a grain of salt especially when it sounds extreme.

I'm not sure how much research you have done on your own, but start with looking into all the courses you will need to complete to become a Psych NP, and look at the job responsibilities of a psych NP vs LSCW, then decide.

At the end of the day, if you are not willing to commit the time to become a MD and you want a job as a psychiatric provider that pays very well, you don't have a lot of other options. The only other option is Physician Assistant.

Keep in mind that psychiatric NP field will become saturated (fewer jobs, lower pay). Many jobless or underpaid Family NPs are switching into psych to make a quick buck. The career prospect might not be as bright as you think by the time you graduate.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
Be aware that being a psych NP has v. little to do with "psychology" and is primarily about prescribing medications.

This is very true.

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Either you put the hard work in to do what you want or you take the easier route and settle for something. You need more hands on experience to make a full judgement. Get started on something first and then see. You need some support to go to school. Who will watch the kids etc?. I am working on becoming a MD and I have experience working in a institution so I know it is something I want to do. It will be hard work but I have support physically and financially. If I didn't I would not do it.

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So what are you actually saying then? You said I either work hard to do what I want like you are but then you said if you didn't have the support from your family you wouldn't do it which I mentioned earlier I have absolutely no help. I was in the foster system so I don't have a mom or dad to help and I live very very far from my brother and sister thank god so if you could clarify what you are trying to say that would be great

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I'm not trying to speak for Workitinurfava, but what I think she's saying is that becoming a psychiatric NP is a challenging road that requires a good support system - for your kids, your finances, your own mental health, etc.

Are you a nurse currently? Do you know what is required to become an NP? What are the job prospects in your area? Could you become an RN first and work on a psychiatric unit and see if it appeals to you? Who will watch your kids while you're in school and studying? All of these things require serious consideration.

Once you go through an NP program and pass your boards, presumably you will know enough to safely treat patients within your scope of practice, so perhaps you won't be as concerned about what some hypothetical doctors might think about you in the future. :)

I wish you the best. If you truly feel passionate about this area and have the aptitude for it, then take the next step on your journey.

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I agree with Elkpark- PMHNPs do a TON of med management, not much 'therapy' work at all. their role is not the same as a therapist.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Don't a PsyD and NP have about the same years of education?

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