heythere

How do we check the status of our application? When I log in, the front page just gives me my application ID

Good luck everyone!

I know this question has been asked a few times, but I am looking for fresh perspectives. I am a senior at university, and I know I want to pursue a career in mental health. I am interested in becoming a therapist or PMHNP (I'm going to choose one or the other though. It would be a waste of time to get both degrees). I'm just not sure which route to pursue? I love people, but I am pretty introverted in the sense that I get exhausted in overstimulating environments. I would really like to work outpatient where I have my own office that I can see clients in because I think I can preserve my energy in that kind of setting, enabling me to be the best clinician I can be. I am concerned about the therapy route because of how unstable the field is. They don't make very much money. This isn't a huge deal to me, but it is pretty disheartening to go through a graduate program and 2 years of licensing to make $40k a year when an ADN can make more. It can be hard to find a job, too. I have done my due diligence and spoken with therapists and LPC interns, and the sense I get is: Yes, this field can be financially stressful, but it can get better. On the flip side, I am hearing about the anticipated glut of PMHNPs. Does this claim have any grounding to it? I also am interested in having prescriptive authority. I took a Chemical Dependency class, and we went in depth on how drugs work in the brain, detox, and basic psychopharmacology. I LOVED it! Science is something that takes longer for me to wrap my head around, though. I took A&P I and did well, but I did have to study a lot. If I did go the PMHNP route, I would still be interested in doing therapy eventually. I have seen some PMHNP's continue their education so they can practice therapy. I understand insurance companies won't cover this, but I like the idea of one day at least having the option to do therapy. All of this being said, I have looked into direct entry programs. I know they are highly controversial. I just don't see myself being an RN. I think very highly of RNs, and I would love to do the job if I could, but my introverted/easily overstimulated nature is not conducive to the environment RNs work in. I hope this makes sense. I truly want to be a well-educated clinician. I don't want to just skip the RN portion because I am ignorant to the value of having RN experience. Is it possible to be a well-trained clinician without that experience? Because I don't see myself as an RN, could this be indicative that I shouldn't consider the field at all? All of that aside, I am concerned about the price tag. It makes me extremely nervous to think about taking out loans as big as I would need for a direct entry program. Is it possible to pay those loans off without a significant chunk taken out of your income? At that point, would I still be financially better off than a mental health therapist? Thank you so much for opinions and perspectives. Please know my heart is in the right place.