PMHNP advice

Nursing Students NP Students

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I am frozen with indecision on my choice to pursue PMHNP or FNP. Are there any PMHNPs out there that could weigh in?

What does your average day/patient population look like?

What type of facility do you work at?

Are you glad you chose this field of work?

Thank you for your post. I currently work on a med-surg unit and there are psych patients mixed in, but I think being on true psych unit would help me get a better understanding.

Committing to a DNP program is a bit overwhelming but that is the direction of the nursing future. May as well join in with the trend.

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To echo what others have said about systemic frustrations you will run into and other areas that may challenge your decision I would strongly recommend ward experience. Interviewing psychiatrist (intake, maintenance, collab), current students, and didact professors can help make your decision less overwhelming. An area to consider is getting your DEA cert for dealing with the addiction side of psychiatry.

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Duley noted.

My interest is in addictions and the behavioral health surrounding that.

I have explored the DEA cert regarding suboxone prescribing, ect...

In AZ. The NP prescribing authority is really monitored, as it should be.

Another option I had in mind, instead of the PMHNP, was FNP with an addiction certification of sorts. This way, I can prescribe and still get to work with the type of patient whom I have that passion for.

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Same here . Condidering Psych NP. Been a nurse for 14yrs 3yrs Med Surg , 8yrs acute hospital case management. 3yrs community health. Any advice is helpful. Pros and Cons. Inpatient or outpatient. I am thinking adult population. Thanksm

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I applied to and got accepted into Eastern Kentucky University PMHNP program.

I have been bedside for over 30 yrs as a CNA, LPN, and now RN. Time for me to start my journey to the passion I have had in my heart for awhile now.

I intend to work outpatient behavioral in addictions and mental health. If I were to work inpatient I would like adolescent population.

Best of wishes to you! You have alot of good experience. Keep posting and let me know how your journey unfolds!

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Hi, this is for those who are attending or have attended Eastern Kentucky's PMHNP certificate program. I am thinking of applying, but I'm apprehensive about getting clinical hours. Do they provide any help for this? My Fnp program with U of PHX was good but getting clinical hours was all in the student and it was horrendous. I work in Peds neuro right now and there's a huge need for psych for the kiddos. I am in Tucson. Thanks for any advice!

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Hi there. I will be starting EKU in Jan. I have connected with a EKU graduate from Flagstaff. She told me EKU places you with a preceptor for clinical hours. She told me she got her hours down in the Valley. The academic advisor at EKU told me I would be placed at Gilbert, Chandler, or Phx.

I live in the Verde Valley (Sedona). Wont mind the travel in exchange for guarantee of placement for clinical hours.

Let me know how your journey turns out. Would like to start an Arizona EKU PMHNP support network.

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On 6/18/2019 at 12:34 PM, umbdude said:

Why not get some psych RN experience if you are apprehensive? You can develop important insights into this population working as a psych nurse and whether it is for you.

This was my suggestion, too. You may really enjoy psych, or despise it. You could look at doing travel nursing; you could get a 8- or 13-week travel assignment in Kingman, PHX, Tucson (all locations that frequently use psych travelers), and not too far from Sedona.

When does your PMHNP EKU program start? You stated you were in the enrollment process....would love to hear an update on if you like EKU!

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Hi there. I will be starting EKU in Jan. I have connected with a EKU graduate from Flagstaff. She told me EKU places you with a preceptor for clinical hours. She told me she got her hours down in the Valley. The academic advisor at EKU told me I would be placed at Gilbert, Chandler, or Phx.

I live in the Verde Valley (Sedona). Wont mind the travel in exchange for guarantee of placement for clinical hours.

Let me know how your journey turns out. Would like to start an Arizona EKU PMHNP support network.

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I just started a psych RN job and I absolutely love it. Working with SMI and SUD population. Learning how to write a psych RN nursing note is so differant than a med surg note!

Excited to start EKU this spring.

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Specializes in Psych NP student.
On 6/13/2019 at 7:55 PM, Vistarob said:

I am a PMHNP and work as a C-L in multiple settings. This is an extremely common dilemma for future NPs, and the question is nearly impossible to answer. Since I know nothing about you or your situation, my default answer is to go the FNP route. You can always go back for the PMHNP cert. There are far more PMHNPs that wish they had a FNP than the other way around.

Can you elaborate on why PHMNP wished they did FNP route?

I am currently about to start my PMHNP program in Maryville University.

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I struggled with this decision for a while! I work with FNPs, they encourage me to finish the PMHNP degree then get a post cert in FNP. This what I will do, then on to the DNP. Nursing is life long learning, so I just keep rollin on.

At the time I made my decision to do the PMHNP, I was studying suicidality, mental health behavior modification with opioid dependent individuals, and working in a dual diagnosis residential treatment center. Right now, at this time in my journey, Psychiatric Nursing, is very interesting to me. When I have a curious mind and want to learn all I can about a topic, this is when I succeed in school.

No regrets, keep learning, keep getting alphabet letters after your name! Doors open for you after each degree obtained. It is an exciting journey.

Best wishes on your success!

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