Pre- Psych Nursing Experience?

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Hi all-

I'm interested in the PMHNP career path, but have no experience in the medical field. I'm a psychology undergrad student right now about to graduate. My question is: before deciding whether PMHNP is something I could do, where can I get relevant experience? I'm in the Atlanta area and can't find any PMHNPs around here (which is surprising!). Should I just volunteer in a hospital? I just really want to get a feel for the day to day life of a PMHNP and what it took to get there.

Thanks so much! Any other advice is greatly appreciated :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology.

I would seriously consider if you're going for PMHNP because you're also interested in nursing or if you might prefer pursuing med school (psychiatry) or a masters in psychology.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Any other advice is greatly appreciated

Although I chose not to become an NP, ascending the ladder through grunt work was the path I took and believe it has served me well...

I worked as an Attendant for the Developmentally Delayed population, as a Houseparent and EMT for Learning and Behavior Disordered Teenage Boys, as an EMT for a Volunteer Emergency Corp, as a Head Start Teacher's Aid, as an LPN in a Hospital Psych Unit, and as a Staff RN in both Community and Hospital based Programs.

As an ADN RN, I 've had two positions as a Nursing Supervisor, setting up and running At Home Mental Health programs, Medical Services, and Patient Assistance Medication programs. The list goes on...

What I'm trying to say, emmercs, is that I allowed the Forces That Be to guide me in my Career choices. It's been a Great Ride and I wouldn't change a thing!

Good Luck in your endeavors, emmercs!

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Miss Infermiera-

Thank you for this. I've been really trying to figure out what all a PMHNP does. I know they tend to make good money (compared to Psychologists and MSWs) so obviously that's a factor in the back of my mind. I don't have any nursing experience and I really don't know how I'd be in that type of setting. I'm not sure what a Masters in Psych would get me, since I know how saturated that market is.

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Thank you for your input, Davey Do! I really appreciate it. This is such a tough decision to make so I'm happy to see that you are happy where you are :)

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