PMHNP or MSW?

[plf2323]

I am a psych nurse with 5 years of experience.   I am looking at getting a PMHNP or an MSW.  I have to do an online program because there are no in-person programs close enough to where I live.  I have children and cannot move or quit my job.

1.  I am currently looking at Drexel or Wilkes for a PMHNP. Any feedback on either of these programs?

2. I'm concerned about being able to get a job after graduation.  It seems there are many more jobs listed for MSW's (although they generally pay less.)  What are current job prospects like for PMHNPs?  Everything I read is contradictory: on one hand mental health practitioners are in demand, on the other there are too many PMHNP's.  Am I better off pursuing an MSW?

Thanks for any feedback or insight.

 

[MentalKlarity, BSN, NP]

Both fields are getting saturated. I'd say PMHNP career is saturating faster as there are a large number of graduates each yeah which is increasing rapidly. Jobs are salaries have been falling.

 

The real question should be what your prefer to do? An MSW is going to do more therapy, alliance building, resources connection, case manager, etc.

A PMHNP is going to do generally less psychotherapy, and there is a focus mainly on medication management by most employers as that's what gives then highest reimbursement. Tends to be more clients per hour.

 

So job prospects roughly equal, you have to think which type of interaction with clients you would prefer.

[DrCOVID, DNP]

If you have the ability to do a PMHNP, this would always trump the MSW. You can do all therapy as a PMHNP if that is what your heart desires, though of course most do less therapy and more med management.

Saturation depends on location and market, as of 2019 only 2% of NPs were psych certified.