is it possible to become a psych NP if I have a non-nursing Bachelor's degree

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I just graduated from undergrad with a BS in Statistics. I want to become a Psychiatric NP and was wondering if this is possible. I know there are direct entry NP programs for non-nursing majors, but I'm not sure if I have the freedom to go into any specialty I want with these programs. I've seen some schools that only offer certain focuses such as Family NP for these direct entry NP programs. Any advice on how to achieve my goals would help.

Also unrelated to nursing but just in case anyone has info.. I've been considering med school to become a psychiatrist but I have no pre-med work done. Do you think it's worth it to take at least a year to finish pre-med work and then spend even more years pursuing that degree? I also currently work as a MA so I can only take classes part time. I am 22 years old.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!!

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Any np requires a bachelors degree in nursing

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Any np requires a bachelors degree in nursing

This is not true (and I'm always surprised so many people here keep saying it). As the OP notes, there are plenty of "direct entry" MSN programs for people with no nursing background but a BA/BS in some other discipline, that are a year (or so) of "basic" nursing education plus an MSN. Depending on the specific concentration of a specific program, people graduate prepared for advanced practice certification and licensure. Some of these programs award a BSN on the way to the MSN, some don't.

OP, as you note, the programs are out there, and different programs offer different concentrations. In order to be eligible for licensure in a specific specialty, you have to complete a program in that specific specialty. There are direct entry psych NP programs available. Are you prepared to relocate to wherever you need to in order to attend one?

I would suggest you first figure out whether you want to go into medicine or nursing. If you really have the fire in the belly to be a physician, you'll likely not be happy in nursing, even as an NP. Whether it's "worth it" to put the time and effort into pursuing med school depends entirely on how much you want to go to med school, and how competitive an applicant you would be.

Both nursing and medicine are dramatically different paths than statistics. What happened or changed that you are ready to walk away from the degree you just finished?

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons: Best wishes for your journey!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Both nursing and medicine are dramatically different paths than statistics. What happened or changed that you are ready to walk away from the degree you just finished?

^^ This ^^

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This is not true (and I'm always surprised so many people here keep saying it). As the OP notes, there are plenty of "direct entry" MSN programs for people with no nursing background but a BA/BS in some other discipline, that are a year (or so) of "basic" nursing education plus an MSN. Depending on the specific concentration of a specific program, people graduate prepared for advanced practice certification and licensure. Some of these programs award a BSN on the way to the MSN, some don't.

OP, as you note, the programs are out there, and different programs offer different concentrations. In order to be eligible for licensure in a specific specialty, you have to complete a program in that specific specialty. There are direct entry psych NP programs available. Are you prepared to relocate to wherever you need to in order to attend one?

I would suggest you first figure out whether you want to go into medicine or nursing. If you really have the fire in the belly to be a physician, you'll likely not be happy in nursing, even as an NP. Whether it's "worth it" to put the time and effort into pursuing med school depends entirely on how much you want to go to med school, and how competitive an applicant you would be.

Both nursing and medicine are dramatically different paths than statistics. What happened or changed that you are ready to walk away from the degree you just finished?

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons: Best wishes for your journey!

you'll be hard pressed to find a direct entry msn program that doesn't award you a bsn somewhere throughout the coursework. every program I see, at some point, you WILL have a bsn either before applying, or somewhere throughout the program before going onto the msn coursework.

there are plenty of 2+2 programs out there, but the end game is the same--you're gonna end up with a bsn.

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How many programs are you personally familiar with? Perhaps you are right, perhaps many of the programs also award a BSN, but certainly not all of them, and one is not "hard pressed" to name schools that don't. The school I attended doesn't. Several other schools I'm aware of don't. Certainly enough programs that it's inaccurate to say that a BSN is required.

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How many programs are you personally familiar with? Perhaps you are right, perhaps many of the programs also award a BSN, but certainly not all of them, and one is not "hard pressed" to name schools that don't. The school I attended doesn't. Several other schools I'm aware of don't. Certainly enough programs that it's inaccurate to say that a BSN is required.

you may be right with that. mostly schools i suppose that ive personally taken an interest in researching have trended that way. even when not spelled out on their site for example, the process had always entailed having been granted a bsn somewhere throughout the program when going through those rn-msn or asn-msn routes, and alternatively, applying for an msn had a prerequisite of having a bsn

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Specializes in CRNA.

You were required to take the NCLEX and be licensed as an RN correct? I'm not sure if the OP realizes this.

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