PMHNP with med/oncology experience

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

Hi all:

I've been an Oncology RN for 6.5 years now (2nd career). Started an FNP program in 2017 but had to stop as I moved to a new state and life took over. I am considering finishing grad school but I want to switch gears and apply to a PMHNP for many reasons, including long time interest in psych and personal experience. I am planning on switching to a psych RN job once I do more research, submit an application.

Would like to hear from those who completed an PMHNP without prior psych experience (or with experience only during the studies). Did you feel that school was harder for you due to limited RN psych experience? Was it more difficult to find a job? Are you happy with your decision? Hoping to find reassurance but open to all honest experiences. Thank you!

 

 

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Specializes in PMHNP.

I did an accelerated RN/PMHNP program in 3 years with very little psych experience, and no previous nursing or medical experience. I am a practicing PMHNP now and I think I'm doing pretty darn well. I was very worried that without having any psych or RN experience that I would never be able to do this work, but I've proved myself wrong. I actually did my 6-month med/surg rotation in heme/onc/BMT, which I absolutely loved. I see a lot of crossover between onc and psych, so I'm sure you will be more than prepared. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.
On 8/17/2021 at 11:46 PM, No_LiesJustLove said:

I did an accelerated RN/PMHNP program in 3 years with very little psych experience, and no previous nursing or medical experience. I am a practicing PMHNP now and I think I'm doing pretty darn well. I was very worried that without having any psych or RN experience that I would never be able to do this work, but I've proved myself wrong. I actually did my 6-month med/surg rotation in heme/onc/BMT, which I absolutely loved. I see a lot of crossover between onc and psych, so I'm sure you will be more than prepared. 

Thank you, my friend! So glad your are doing well and enjoying it. For sure, almost every onc patient has psych needs, so I do feel like I have quite a bit on experience with at least anxiety and depression. Thank you for an encouraging response.⚘

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

You can, but I would recommend getting some psych experience while you're in the PMHNP program. Our patients deserve it.

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