PMHNP- Salary expectations

harmonizer · Mar 16, 2013

then let's keep it secret lol. PM me please. Megank5183, think about it.. if salary is really good (in general), it would not be a "secret" now. "Subjectively", most of my ex-classmates are underpaid, unfortunately.

Psychcns · Mar 16, 2013

then let's keep it secret lol. PM me please. Megank5183 think about it.. if salary is really good (in general), it would not be a "secret" now. "Subjectively", most of my ex-classmates are underpaid, unfortunately.[/quote']
I have heard of 80k with benefits in NH for a new PMHNP. The higher salaries may not include benefits.

megank5183 · Mar 17, 2013

I have talked with a former co-worker who now makes 100k + benefits in southern PA. Also, the VA pays Psych certified NPs almost as much as CRNAs in addition to a sign on bonus....the reaction I get from nursing friends who are going for FNP and ACNP is that they would hate to do psych...but I like psych. I just don't understand why so many nurses are adverse to becomming a PMHNP. Why do so few people do it? I understand that you have to relocate for the highest paying jobs, but if this is not considertion you can make serious $$$. Many FNPs I know are making almost 40k less a year than PMHNPs. I get that psych is not for everyone, but when you are talking about that big a pay deferential......A psychiatrist that I work with said that PMHNPs are going to be in serious demand as more and more docs shun psych for various reasons.

harmonizer · Mar 17, 2013

You might be using the extreme case... Let's play devil's advocate... I apologize if I am too sarcastic :)

I have talked with a former co-worker who now makes 100k + benefits in southern PA.

I also talked to previous classmates who started 80k with benefits in South East. Some starts at high 70s at government position. And this is true!! I am not lying. I also had a co-work who move to the states where I am working and the person told me that they also pay 80k in PA...

100k + with experience is not a big deal. You would see tons of 100k jobs for FNP with experience as well. You could not estimate market value by talking to one person..

Also, the VA pays Psych certified NPs almost as much as CRNAs in addition to a sign on bonus....

Maybe. Depending on location. Never heard of it.. People I know started in VA with years of experiences started in low 80k. New grads started in 70k-80k.

Why do so few people do it?

Why? Coz there are fewer jobs.. ..It is just one of the specialty. there are fewer positions and jobs than general medicine. So would this make senses if fewer people do it? Do you get it? There are more jobs for FNP. Megank5183, if more people do it, then think of market saturation, and it's time for us to change career.

Also my school double the class size and I heard of a school in Texas with hugh class.. They are also over-enrolling in Vanderbilt online program.. so we are looking for saturation in the near future :) good luck.

Many FNPs I know are making almost 40k less a year than PMHNPs.

Which FNP and Psych NP are you comparing? You might be using the extreme case.

Not true in most case.. I have an FNP started in ER starting at 100k (20k more than my psych classmate who started in high 70k to 80k in South East).

more docs shun psych for various reasons.

Not true. I know a foreign medical graduate (from Carribbean) who was afraid of matching a residency slot in psych. Psych residency becomes more popular among MD as well.

megank5183 · Mar 17, 2013

So you are saying that PMHNPs is not a good field to go into? I have been told my multiple souces at Pitt (both students and faculty) that this is the best sub-specialty to go into. If you search the VA, it clearly states the salaries for NP jobs and their salaries are substantially higher that FNPs and close to CRNAs. Also, if you look at APRN job sites, the PMHNP salaries are higher that FNPs. I'm not sure where you are getting your numbers that FNPs make 100k. I have never seen this or heard of this. In fact, at my hospital they are making around 60 k as new grads....I also do not think that the market is going to become saturated with PMHNPs because way fewer schools offer this program than PMHNP and a majority of nurses just don't want to do it. You can throw all of the money you want, but many people are afraid of psych (nothing wrong with it, just a reality

Psychcns · Mar 17, 2013

Only go into psych if you really really like it

And can tolerate the psychological pain

People bring to you. The VA has a pay structures

Where you apply for advancement based on

What you are doing. Ie leadership. It's good for

People who want this. I have a friend who works there

and does a lot of work!! Outpatient can be very

Busy and draining. You have to be up for it.

I think the salaries are good and right now

There is a big need. This could change--I don't

Know how well psych does with rebursement.

I am not sure if it covers our salaries.

harmonizer · Mar 17, 2013

So you are saying that PMHNPs is not a good field to go into?

I am not saying that. All I am saying is that I am playing devil's advocate because it is not a good idea to exaggerate the info and look at the positive side only. No one stopping you. It's ok to get into if it is what you want to do but , from the financial standpoint, I just warn people that it is may not be as rewarding financially as they think. There are many APRNs specialty (eg. ER, neurology etc..) that one could make the same and much more.

megank5183 · Mar 18, 2013

I don't think that I am exaggerating....It seems from the marjority of job postings that, objectively, PMHNPs make more. I guess I'll have to wait to graduate to see what I will make:) ER, nuero, urology, derm seem to make considerably less than psych (according the the job positing I am looking at). Also, there are just fewer PMHNPs to fill the jobs while the competition for for other specialties is HIGH because just about every school of nursing offers ACNP, FNP, etc. just my observations.

harmonizer · Mar 18, 2013

I guess I'll have to wait to graduate to see what I will make:) ER, nuero, urology, derm seem to make considerably less than psych (according the the job positing I am looking at)..

Yes.. then wait until you graduate and see. For now, thanks for posting information here based on assumptions and observations from web search, which may not be reliable. Again, sorry for repeating, ACNP/ FNP has wider scope of practice and can fit themselves with many NPs job (even PMHNP jobs in some states), so it makes perfect sense that more people enroll and more schools offer it. Psych is only limited to one specialty, while ACNP, FNP or whatever can cross specialty and fit themselves with more NP jobs.

(megank5183, please, no reply needed. I just want to prove a point. PM preferred.)

Cauliflower · Mar 18, 2013

i'm perplexed.....if PMHNP is such a great field to go into, then why are so many universities discontinuing the psych track of their NP programs?

harmonizer · Mar 19, 2013

i'm perplexed.....if PMHNP is such a great field to go into, then why are so many universities discontinuing the psych track of their NP programs?

I will jump on this before someone else comments. It is because the transition from age-specific psych (adult or child) to life-span psych per APRN consensus model had made it difficult from many schools to re-structure their curriculum. And on top of this, the specialty is unpopular and limited. Most people want to flexibility of FNP that they can blend into more roles and jobs.

****Thread closed ********* :)