KatieB.

I have been a "floor" nurse for 3 1/2 years, I love being with my pt's and actually providing care for them. I want nothing more but for them to feel the best they can. I love the small amount of time I do get to spend with them and love it when they ask for me by name or smile when I enter the room. Those times I feel like I'm able to make a difference for them. The last 2 years I have noticed I am not the same as my counter parts. I tend to advocate harder and tend not to wait as long as most would to seek help. But the other side of that coin is that I feel more responsible for my pt's outcome. I feel the need to catch everything and put an extreme amount of pressure on myself to care for my 20 something pt's. I work in a small nursing home in a small town and yesterday was the first day in a LONG time I did not feel the heavy weight on me. Yesterday I worked as a CNA and my entire shift was spent with my pts. Don't get me wrong I'm not a good CNA, its an art and take incredible stamina. I felt exhausted but so satisfied with how my day was spent. Being from a small town I have no resources to reach out to. My question is for anyone who has been where I'm at and is where I want to be. Me and my husband have talked a lot about me returning to school so I can preform psychotherapy. Is the stress better/different than what I'm being faced with now. And if it is and it is as liberating but difficult as I imagine. What is the best way to fulfill it making sure I have the education I need to be successful as a psychotherapist. I currently hold my BSN and am contemplating PMHNP school but fear the focus is not on psychotherapy but the other aspects (meds, Dx..). Confused as what to do. Help please.

I have been a "floor" nurse for 3 1/2 years, I love being with my pt's and actually providing care for them. I want nothing more but for them to feel the best they can. I love the small amount of time I do get to spend with them and love it when they ask for me by name or smile when I enter the room. Those times I feel like I'm able to make a difference for them. The last 2 years I have noticed I am not the same as my counter parts. I tend to advocate harder and tend not to wait as long as most would to seek help. But the other side of that coin is that I feel more responsible for my pt's outcome. I feel the need to catch everything and put an extreme amount of pressure on myself to care for my 20 something pt's. I work in a small nursing home in a small town and yesterday was the first day in a LONG time I did not feel the heavy weight on me. Yesterday I worked as a CNA and my entire shift was spent with my pts. Don't get me wrong I'm not a good CNA, its an art and take incredible stamina. I felt exhausted but so satisfied with how my day was spent. Being from a small town I have no resources to reach out to. My question is for anyone who has been where I'm at and is where I want to be. Me and my husband have talked a lot about me returning to school so I can preform psychotherapy. Is the stress better/different than what I'm being faced with now. And if it is and it is as liberating but difficult as I imagine. What is the best way to fulfill it making sure I have the education I need to be successful as a psychotherapist. I currently hold my BSN and am contemplating PMHNP school but fear the focus is not on psychotherapy but the other aspects (meds, Dx..). Confused as what to do. Help please.