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Hi everyone! Hopefully this is the right place to ask this question. I am trying to connect with students who have already been accepted to the APNI DNP program at SU, preferably the psych track. I am interested in pursuing this track, and preparing to apply next year, and I have been unsuccessful in finding someone who's already in the program or alumni to talk to about what it's actually like and how to better prepare. I am mostly just curious, as I know we all have different experiences and goals. If you read this and you're already in the program, please let me know how I can get in touch with you if you're willing to let me pick your brain. I've chosen to post on this thread thinking that anyone applying in 2016 should be starting their second year just about now. Thanks so much!

Love this. You're right we often get stuck on one right way, when sometimes maybe there is a right way for each of us depending on so many unique individual factors. What you said about the nursing process is really interesting too... along with how experience is never bad. I'll keep these things in mind. I have no doubt you'll be phenomenal. From the way you express yourself in your posts, you are "on it": determined and well informed! :-) Thanks so much again. Little did you know a year ago, you were going to help someone in the future by posting about your decision making process.

Hi there, oh my gosh! I am so happy you wrote back. I read every single bit of this thread, so even if I don't know you, I thought of what you ended up picking. Thanks so much for providing an update when you didn't have to. Honestly, I love that you chose that because I was thinking myself that taking no shortcuts is probably best, even if it could potentially work out, but at what cost you know? I know people will still make their own decisions based on their own beliefs and circumstances, but after reading the thread you helped to create, it helped me to decide that I want to do it the right way rather than rushing into it. It must have been crazy hard to turn down such an amazing program, but they say that, often times, the hardest decisions end up being the right ones in the long run. Well, congratulations, and I wish you the best of luck with it all. Sounds like you are beyond busy and learning a lot. Again thank you for coming back with an update! I am so happy for you because it sounds like you are totally on the right path for making your dreams come true the right way. Woohoo!

Congratulations!! This is absolutely fantastic! You give me hope since I am on the West coast :-)

Congratulations!! This is absolutely fantastic! You give me hope since I am on the West coast :-)

Thanks everyone! I managed to find other threads where this topic has been discussed, but for FNPs, not PMNHPs. I actually didn't find much on direct entry PMNHP. I've read that psych is a field not many RNs or NPs wish to go into (overall percentages), and that it's an advantage for those seeking a career in this field, HOWEVER, there have also been talks about currently saturated markets and a future direction pointing this way. I read about both success stories, and not so great stories. With so many opinions, the only constant answer is "it depends"... on where you are, whether or not you are willing to relocate, rural vs. urban, experience and salary requirements, etc. It looks like there is no generally agreed upon answer in either direction. I guess if I choose to do this, I have to embrace uncertainty, although I am no stranger to that :-)

Found this thread a year later, but it has been so helpful! Wondering what the OP has decided, and how it is going. I've been looking at DE programs for non-nursing programs, but I admit I've been on the fence about actually trying to get into one. This thread has helped put things into perspective a lot. I'm a newbie mental health counselor associate, thinking of going into Psych NP (PMHNP). Since my job as such will mainly be diagnosing and prescribing meds (among other things, I know it's not this shallow of a scope, but mainly), I am thinking I'd need a lot more training than initially included in DE programs. I may know my talk therapy well, but meds, health, and interactions between everything is no joke. As a counselor, I've often been exposed to my clients' difficulties regarding access to and the efficacy of medical treatment, and, also being that I am totally Type A, I would really want to make sure I am super prepared so I don't make someone's live even more miserable. Anyway, I don't mean to put anyone or any program down, as I am sure there are wonderful DE PMNHPs out there, but mental health populations are fragile enough, the last thing I'd want is not know my stuff well enough. DE programs are soooo attractive, I admit, the temptation is huge, but, ultimately, this thread helped me understand a few things about me personally that I would find challenging as a DE PMNHP, I think... I'll keep researching. Thanks so much!

Hi all! Completely new here. I've been reading the forums for a few weeks. I apologize if this has been asked before, but what is your honest opinion on direct entry/immersion programs designed for non-nursing background applicants? Think accredited by the appropriate nursing bodies, in person, and 4 year long ones such as DNP programs. I am considering doing the Psychiatric Mental Health NP track, and I am a licensed mental health counselor now with no medical experience whatsoever. I know about the role that NPs are supposed to fill, as well as some of the pros and cons that come with the profession in general, but what I would really love to find out is.... do places really hire new NP grads from direct entry programs? Is the lack of previous RN/medical experience poorly seen? If you happened to be exposed to the hiring process in your practice, what is the "pulse" so to speak on new NP grads coming from direct entry? If you were the hiring manager, would you consider hiring such an individual? I've read that this can be a problem in some cases, and not so much in others. I know it also depends on the area. I'm in the Pacific Northwest. Any feedback you may have, I'll greatly appreciate it. Sometimes we don't know what we don't know, so feel free to share any considerations I may be overlooking.