PMHNP Time Management advice

Oldmahubbard · May 5, 2019

Please, please, please do not attempt to do this program full time while you work full time and care for little children.

The last thing we need is more slapdash psych providers.

I worked full time in Psych, and had no children. I completed the program over a period of about 4 years. There were semesters I could only take one course, ie pathophysiology. Or pharmacology. Some semesters I was able to take 2 fluff courses.

I will add that this was before online courses existed, and I had a long drive ( 2 hours each way) to get to school. So that added to the workload.

Absolutely do not focus on how long this will take and being in a hurry. It will take as long as it takes, and you want to be actually ready the first day a patient is sitting in front of you and your prescription pad.

Early in my career, I had a patient die directly from the effects of an antipsychotic. Nothing came of it, it was a rare unforeseen adverse reaction.

But I want to emphasize how serious this business is, and your question makes me nervous.

Oldmahubbard · May 6, 2019

I want to add, a ton of self preparation will be necessary, and some of the patients will be really sick. Even dangerous.

Even in states that require a physician collaborator or supervisor, you still won't have immediate access to them if a problem occurs.

BishopLPN, BSN · May 10, 2019

Well, your username checks out! I’m not sure what part of my question made you “nervous”. You seem to have made a few assumptions about me. Kinda makes me wonder what type of provider you are.

You ASSUME I’m attempting to complete a program as quickly as possible. Nothing in my question alluded to that. I even said I don’t think it will be possible to do a program full time. I honestly don’t care how long it takes. Time is going to pass regardless.

I was merely looking for personal experiences of other people with my challenges.

Anyway, I was able to find a very helpful pmhnp group on Facebook. The members were extremely helpful and encouraging.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · May 11, 2019

Not being disrespectful, but I got the same impression when I read your original post. I think it's because there are so many posts similar to yours - Nurses who don't want to give up their full-time jobs, have other pressing responsibilities such as family and children, can't attend classes or labs in person, can't relocate, don't want to pay too much tuition, and want to become an NP quickly. When this compares to other health professions (e.g., PAs, MDs, PTs) who go through grueling education and often studying 40-60 hours (or more?) a week, it makes NPs look light weight.

If someone works full-time, he/she gives up 36-40+ hours per week that otherwise could have gone into learning. I suppose some can work night shifts and get some studying during work hours. Even if you can pull it off, you might have to skip through a lot of valuable reading and learning opportunities.

As a current PMHNP student, my advice is either full-time school with PRN job or part-time school and part-time work. During clinical year, consider dropping to PRN and amass as many clinical hours as possible.

Oldmahubbard · May 11, 2019

Holding people to the most basic educational standards is now considered disrespect. NP's are competing with other professions who are not allowed to work at all, while they attend school. Their admission standards are also vastly higher.

And some of us want to do our program on the fly. It makes no sense.

I just hope to retire before all the nonsense of the very poor quality NP education implodes.

BishopLPN, BSN · May 12, 2019

4 hours ago, Oldmahubbard said:
Holding people to the most basic educational standards is now considered disrespect. NP's are competing with other professions who are not allowed to work at all, while they attend school. Their admission standards are also vastly higher.
And some of us want to do our program on the fly. It makes no sense.
I just hope to retire before all the nonsense of the very poor quality NP education implodes.

I’ve been a nurse, in Psych, for over a decade. I started as an LPN- then I obtained my ASN and recently received my BSN. I busted my *** every step of the way. I’ve been on interdisciplinary teams, worked alongside psychologists, social workers, psychiatrist and pmhnp; helping plan patient’s treatment. I’ve cared for a diverse population; Veterans, adolescents, individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, geriatric, etc. This not something I want to do “on the fly”. I’m passionate about mental health. One of the reasons I want to become a pmhnp is to increase my knowledge about the specialty.

If I’m not able to work full time and go to school part time- so be it. That’s all you need to say- instead of making blanket assumptions.

dianearc, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2023

BishopLPN said:

Hello,

I plan to start a PMHNP program fall 20'. I'm looking for advice or personal experience with time management in a PMHNP program.

I'm currently the primary provider for the family; not working is not an option. I don't think I can really drop down to part time either but I would be off 4 days a week ( 3 12's schedule). I also have two young children. They'll be 2 and 4 when I start the program.

I would like to do the program full time but I don't think it would be possible. My friend with no children had to drop down to part time to complete her FNP. So I'm a little discouraged.

Any advice or recommendation is greatly appreciated.

I'm looking at East Tennessee State University program. It's a state school. It's all online. If you live in the state they assist in clinical placement. Full time is 18 months. Part time is almost three years I think.

-What did you decide & how is it going so far? I'm thinking of going for a fulltime DNP PMHNP myself & working PRN during school. Unlike you, I've only worked inpatient in Med surg, cvicu, post-op, ER. I did see my share of psych patients but obviously not as much as someone like yourself who worked in psych. I've been a nurse for over 8yrs now & I've just made this decision...it took me 4yrs to finally decide which advanced route to pursue. Yes, I couldn't decide before but as someone who nursing was a 2nd career (I did the accelerated BSN) I had to be sure which route to take & psych NP is what I've decided on. About your question, I'm certain it is very possible if you have a supportive spouse. The only thing is you won't have a life. I have a friend who worked fulltime as a pre-op nurse while going for her DNP fulltime & she had young teenage age boys, had just gone through a divorce but co-parented well with her ex-husband & her mother also helped her with her kids. But she had to support her kids & her mother so she couldn't stop working fulltime. That was not an option. She now not only contracts for the government, she also has her own psych telemedicine business & she will tell you it was all worth it.
Don't let others discourage you, humans can do amazing things. She will tell you she absolutely had no life or regular 8hr sleeps but she got it done. You can do whatever your mind has decided to do.