PMHNP

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I am currently an ER nurse. I am considering a couple of different options as far as Nurse Practitioner. One area that I am interested in is the mental health side of nurse practitioner, the PMHNP degree. I can't find much information out there. I am in NC and the only program I found is at UNC-Chapel Hill, but it sounds like the program is a certificate that is in addition to a FNP.

My questions are:

1. Is there a mental health nurse practitioner degree in NC, or elsewhere online, that is a direct degree? Do I have to get an FNP first?

2. I am also considering other options, so part of my decision is going to encompass salary expectations. What does a new grad PMHNP make, or expect to make? What is the expectation 5 years out, etc...?

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

I don't know about North Carolina, but in my state there is one largely online program although some in-person coursework is required in addition to all clinical rotations and health assessment practicums. It does not require training in family practice. It's just straight psych.

Grads in my program are being recruited from between 110k-120k, and the program chiefs say they usually have an average of six job offers by graduation.

Hope that alleviates some of your concerns!

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Specializes in Mental Health.

No you do not need FNP first. PMHNP is an NP specialty, like how FNP or ACNP are. Since you are already an RN, you can find an RN to MSN or RN to DNP degree (either one works. MSN is shorter). UNC has a PMHNP program, but i'm not sure if it's online. I'd recommend you get your degree from the best program you can get into, rather than a degree mill/for profit school. Right now it may not matter, but as the field becomes more and more saturated, just like how it is currently with lawyers, the reputation of your school will matter as employers become more selective. As far as I know, UNC has a good program.

You can see this thread for a list of online PMHNP programs. Just check with your state's BON first if the program will be acceptable since some states are picky about which online programs they accept https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/suggestions-online-psych-916666.html

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Thanks. I agree about the reputation of the program. I am not going to go to a degree mill that prints $50,000 pieces of paper that are no good. I am in Charlotte, I have a wife, house and infant so the online part is for convenience. I finished my BSN at UNC-Charlotte and only had to appear in person a handful of times. It was really convenient. I would be limited on schools because I am "tied" to this area.

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Specializes in Psych/med-surge.

I live in SC, went to the UNC for my PMHNP. Our class completed a large portion of the program in the hybrid format. I would look into other schools that offer PMHNP. Be sure the school you choose has an associated medical school/hospital. I have a co-worker that went to the University of South Alabama, which also has a medical school/hospital. She said the program is very difficult, though. I had no problems with UNC, it is ranked 11th in graduate nursing education.

Now for the bad part. Salary in this area is not as good as other parts of the country. If you can relocate after graduation, you will get the best salary. NC/SC salaries for PMHNP start out 70,000-80,000. There is a great deal of oversaturation in this area as well, with few jobs. If you can move after graduation, I would say go for PMHNP. If not, I would say choose FNP. I don't think any diploma mills are currently offering PMHNP. But with the false sense that going into this area will make one rich, I would not be surprised to see this NP track offered at diploma mills!

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Thanks Carlyjo. Your info is very appreciated.

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II don't think any diploma mills are currently offering PMHNP. But with the false sense that going into this area will make one rich, I would not be surprised to see this NP track offered at diploma mills!

Although there are only a handful of diploma mills, there is significant increase in enrollments esp online program. I know one program that produce 50 of graduates each year. so I do not know how things would be 5 years out considering limited scope of practice. Actually, PMHNP is not the high end of earning at all for NPs. It was actually raked about # 6 or 7 below other specialties in 2013 such as Derm or ER. Anyway, I would advise you not to go to online program due to difficulty of finding preceptors. I have a friend who has difficulty getting the sites approved and finding PMHNP preceptors and she went to online program. Carlyjo is correct. Demand for psych is only regional. You will have to move to certain areas of the country to get higher pay.

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Specializes in Psych/med-surge.

One has to consider cost of living related to salary. I do not live near the cost, so cost of living is reasonable in my area. Cost of living on the west coast and other parts of the country are outrageous. 110k salary estimates may not reflect cost of living. 80k may equal 110k after taxes and differences in cost of living. If you are tied to a specific area and have no plans to move, defiantly go FNP verses PMHNP.

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