oohnurse

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I haven't taken any NP courses yet. However, I want to express my opinion as a pharmacy student. I disagree with the proliferation of online program "only" because of the fear of potential oversupply of NPs. It's easier to open an online program because there is no limit for physical space. Therefore, many schools can open up and "over-produce" NPs. There's only one pharmacy school in the country. I probably would have quitted pharmacy school by now if there are more openning up. Oversupply of pharmacists already exists in my city. I do not think that in-class learning is superior to online-learning method. I missed so many classes and still doing fine in the pharmacy program. In fact, there's a girl in my class who get 4.0 in the program and only come to class during the required meetings or exam sessions. What's the point of going to class listening to lecture (besides socialization) while you can study independently at home? How many questions you can ask in the class with 40-50 students? I don't think it is more beneficial to sit in class and listen to material I could be studying at home. However, I agree that class discussion would be beneficial but most of the times we are only listening to the lecture. This is a graduate level study, and I think the student can be smart enough for independent study. Maybe I am an introvert. I learn better when I study by myself independently. Online video/audio file/chat-room can replace the benefits of the face-to-face classroom settings. If the level of difficulty of the exams and the amount of material covered are equivalent, I think the quality of the "didactic" portions of the both online and on ground program should be at the same level. However, I am afraid that online program will make it easier for students to pass. The only problem is the clinical portion. If the online program can standardize the quality of clinical experience selected by the student, this would invalidate the argument that in-class learning is superior to online learning. If the accrediting organization can not limit the number of new schools by limiting instructor:student ratio, then getting rid of online degree may be a good idea just to control the supply. I don't disagree with online education but I disagree with opening more NP schools.

Thank you all of you guys for constructive criticism and advices. I want to write a long reply now but I have to study tonight and tomorrow. I haven't taken graduate level nursing causes as of yet so I can't compare MSN VS PharmD. It's not fair to compare BSN with PharmD because they are not at the same level. Anyway, comparing to my nursing undergrad ("BSN"), I feel that materials in pharm school (both pharmacology and A&P aspect) are more scientifically oriented and more detailed. I spent much more time studying for tests. But I can't comment anything about NP or MSN program.

PharmD/FNP dual program. Seem like I am not only one that think this way. http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/news/press/release/854

To make you feel better, it's easier to bring up the score in Quantitative section and Verbal section! I have studied for months but couldn't bring up my Verbal up over 500.

Can Family PMHNP be certified as Adult PMHNP later after taking extra courses??? Or they have to go for the whole post master certificate thing again?

Then, is PMHNP be a subset of Family PMHNP? Are there limitations for being a Family PMHNP? For example, will they be hired in the settings where the majority of the patient population are adult? I think there is already CNS certification for children & adolescence in place already. Most job advertised online are titled "Psychiatric nurse practitioner." It did not specify whether it would be adult or family. I know that they take different board exams.

Dolcebellaluna, but do you think( "overall" )psychiatric nursing match your personality type more than other fields in nursing? That's why you still stick with it.

for me, none. i probably choose informatics just because of introverted personality. you can pursue master in computer informatics. but i want other choices. i have never worked in utilization review but it seems so protocol-based. trying to apply clinical knowledge into informatics may be fun. you might get a chance to teach staff of new system. teach is a favorite career for infp, i think. why don't you like bedside nursing as a infp?

In addition to INFP, ISFP and INFJ can be hypersensitive as well. She could be other types. I think I understand your feeling. INFP get hurt easily. They tend to take things personally. INFP want to be appreciated for what they do. Sincerity and straightforwardness are good things but they also need some encouragement. If she is an INFP, when you reach the "personal" level with her, she will open up more and work with you harmoniously. If she is INFP, she is curious and want to understand the "big picture" behind everything. You may not just want to tell her to follow the rules. Personally, you may want to explain the rationales behind your rules or directions emphathetically. But I understand.. when things go down quick... then you don't have time for to explain things..

Hey. Gemma. What's up? Yep. I am "allegro" . I don't want to use friend to talk to about my "perceiving" thoughts and ideas. Most people don't want to talk about future, goals in life, and emotional stuff. Therefore, I used online forums as friend who I can express ideas and vent out my frustration. Sometimes, I probably use them excessively. Since you don't have BSN yet, have you thought about other area besides BSN? Maybe psychology or medicine? What's you age? I think it's a factor, too.. Me too. I love learning for the sake of learning... but it's getting impractical sometimes... It costs money and time. There was a period about half a year that I enrolled in local college for music major, while work very part-time as a nurse... Thinking now, I don't know why the heck I did that. This is also one the reason that I am silly enough to stay in pharmacy school while I can't see myself fit into anything except academia. Yep, I am still torn between PharmD and NP. I have invested some much time and money and energy into PharmD but I am fearful that I may not be able to find anything I want in pharmacy. There were so many nights that I torture myself by pulling all nighter for exams... I don't find see much "humanistic" creativity in pharmacy classroom setting. Laboratory is fun but everything is all about "impersonal" analysis. I start to reconsider my value and what I want in my life. I want to get connect with people on a personal level and do something else that also me to use the "feeling" side of me. This is what keep my spirit alive. I still like the "big picture" materials but I feel that many things are all about facts and details. You know... My first academic degree is foreign language and literature and I love it... This is where my personality lies... For INFP, happiness first, then money and prestige.... I have to study tonight.. I'll write more later.

I am INFP, too. I believe that INFP is not a good type for the majority of nursing jobs. You need strong organization skills and practical hand-on skill that most INFP am lacking. I am too theoretical and dreamy. I can relate to your feeling as a nursing student. On the other words, "judging" and "sensing" are very valued in nursing. This is the reason why nursing is listed as a "ISFJ" career, not INFP. There's lots of people with "S" and "J" in nursing. I also don't see any co-worker on my floor who has INFP personality type. We are very rare but honestly I have never found one. Healthcare is getting more structured and there's no room for artistic creativity, brainstroming, and reflectiveness. This causes me lots of frustration on my jobs. Nurses are valued for their efficiency but not their creativity. I think the most compatible career for me is mental health and education. I am in pharmacy school right now but I am still considering continue my master level in Mental Health Nursing. I would rather be a psychologist but the length is as long as medical school. I regret that I took MBTI too late in my life. I know that this post is quite emotional but do you guys agree???

INFP... And honestly, almost ALL nursing jobs do not match personality type. Seriously NONE. My extreme "intuitive" and strong "perceiving" parts make me dislike the routine practicality in nursing. I love patient interaction but I honestly don't like hand-on routine stuff. The only thing that can be a potential match is psychiatry. I think where I would fit most is psych nursing, not as staff, but possibly as an advanced practice nursing. But regardless, I think psych RN is probably a good match for me than other personality type. Ironically, now I am in pharmacy school. Pharmacy jobs are even more structured!! I am hoping to get into teaching or specialized in psychiatric pharmacy so it can be as close to my INFP match as possible. I am still thinking about changing my path to psych CNS or psychology................. anyway... got to back to studying for final on Monday.. and then I can think about my future later on.

Thanks, David, for the info. My school doesn't have PharmD/PA program. I would have enrolled if the program existed... because of differences in pharmacy courses from, it is difficult to transfer from my program to that particular program that has the combined program without starting over or repeating courses. Actually, I was thinking about continuing in NP program after graduation "IF" (big if ) the pharmacy residency is too competitive to get in or I can't get a position I want. It's a better alternative than most pharmacy jobs where the knowledge is significantly under-utilized. Hopefully, NP program won't be all converted to DNP by the time I graduate. :) well... at least, I have a fallback plan.

Decided... PharmD. Right now. I am either wanting to go into academia, research. I want both degrees but I can't. At least, I have made a decision.

Joe, actually, I have been thinking about my personality and values. The problem about INFP like me is that I believe that life is quest to seek my identity. As a result, I am indecisive and tend to lack the sense of self-identity. Actually, I am inclined to be more intuitive and emotional than intellectual/rational and structured. Per MBTI, I am an very strong “idealist INFP” rather the “thinker INTP” or “scientist INTJ”. http://www.personalitydesk.com/infp-type-description.php Having worked a few shifts as a psych RN, I can feel the following personal pros and cons, which make senses considering my MBTI type. Pros for Mental Health -strong enthusiasm to understand their problem and their personality -I am extremely sensitive, emotional, and empathetic -more intuitive and creative at least than other types of nursing -Fascination with the detachment from realities and the sub-consciousness of the mentally ill. (I am quite aloof and have my head in the clouds). This could fit me well. - I like listening to them Cons for Mental Health -I tend to be gullible and get absorbed in the conversation. I may have troubles detaching myself and become more analytical. -As an INFP who like to avoid conflict, I "sometimes" tend to “please” the patient rather than therapeutically communicate with them. This is typical for INFP who like to take things personally. - “Control problem.” Frustration with incompliance. Unlike concrete medical science, I am a partner, not a fixer. I am frustrated and feel unsuccessful when I cannot get them to do what I want. -lack of quantitative or interesting psychiatric nursing research - It is not in my nature to be persuasive and forceful. I am very “perceiving” and “open-minded” type. I don’t like to guide or impose ideas on people even if they are mentally ill.

Elpark, can you compare psychiatrist VS PMHNP/CNS. Beside money, is there any other things that you will be missing out as a NP instead psychiatrist such as less research opportunities for quantitative medical research or opportunities to order some tests. I was shadowing a cardiology NP and feel discouraged to see some lacks of autonomy. Yes, they have autonomy at some level but they are still do many other assistant jobs that MDs don't want to do (preparing H&P, discharge summary call,calling family member). Still have to consult MD for almost many decisions they make...... I have not had an opportunity to shadow a psych CNS. I don't know if things would be different in psych setting. I got only one life to live.. so I try to make the most out of it..

Sorry…. this is quite lengthy. And, I am also at risk of revealing my identity here. I had a degree in a foreign language and literature before coming to the US. I restarted my undergrad here. I started the pre-pharmacy course before nursing school. Because of not having money and being a foreign student without the benefit of the in-state tuition rate in pharmacy school, I went to nursing school instead. Due to my introverted personality and lack of confidence secondary to being a non-native speaker, I felt unsuccessful at work or previously at school. Consequently, I was burnt out and began taking music courses at a local college part-time to mentally “escape” from my job. Instead of finding other jobs and researching other nursing options like NP track, I finally resigned from my job and started music school full-time for a few semesters (of course, this was an “escape” to make me feel good)while studying for PCAT (pharmacy entrance exam). I was not working for while. My decision to apply to pharmacy is the combination of seeking the feeling of accomplishment of attaining my original goal of getting into pharmacy school and wanting to find a “quick” fix to make me feel better about myself after “feeling” unsuccessful for the last few years. Not working for a few months, I feel that pharmacy school is easier to get into because my grades and PCAT scores are the main part of admission process. Being shy and afraid of criticism had discouraged my optimism about patient and co-worker interaction in nursing. As a result, I had the wrong self-perception that I would rather doing “routine jobs” rather than jobs which my success will depending on intense personal interaction like nursing. I was accepted at a local in-state pharmacy school. After shadowing a retail pharmacist at Walgreen, I fear that pharmacy may not match my personality. Again, instead of thinking carefully, I chose to attend an expensive local private pharmacy school that offer the combo degree “PharmD/PhD”, which was not offered at the in-state school. I failed to get in the PhD program. I also found that I was not that type of nerdy scientist who likes impersonal details and logics in science. I hate physics and labs. Boom.. another failure!! Or.. maybe.. I am lucky. If I went to the much cheaper local in-state pharmacy school, I may not be thinking deeply about myself right now. The financial and time investments make me “paranoid” about making another wrong career choice and pressure me to think about myself/my personality.. I am introverted. I may appear aloof to others but I am not nerdy/geeky. Internally, I am very emotional and sensitive and seek connections with people. The fear of criticism, shyness, and my sensitivity, not the nerdy personality, made me afraid of people-oriented jobs. If I can gain a little more confidence and assertiveness, I will change to be myself. My skin has been thicker over the last two years though… I also found that I don’t like routine/detailed- jobs and a structured/task-oriented environment, which are the main reason I am dissatisfied with bedside nursing jobs. It’s not the human interaction part. If I can get over the fear of negative criticism, my ideal jobs would have a relationship-focused, intuitive, spontaneous environment. However, I could not make a living being a musician or teaching literature… Therefore, I think psychology/psychiatry is the only thing in medical field that would be a good compromise between the ideal and the practicality. It would take more than a few years even if I earn six figures!! Yes, regardless of the fields, teaching is always the area I am interested in. But you can teach in any fields. I think I would have to like career in general, not just teaching. Pharmacy is more practical. However, if I want something that match the personality type then psych or other fields in humanity would fit me better..

I think demand for everything is uncertain and can fluctuate. I think you should follow your desire. Considering how easy it is to get post-master in psych after FNP and new online PMHNP popping up, psych NP supply will increase to keep up with the demand in the future.... Look at pharmacy a few years ago, there were more jobs than now... market is getting competitive..

Thanks for reply. I can see why being an introvert is not too bad for psych setting. I think psych requires good listening and introverted/reflective thinking. Congrats on your successful/satisfying career. The bad part of me is that I am the kind of thin-skinned introvert that is really sensitive to criticism... which could be a problematic when the job is more relationship-focused.....I need to be emotionally stronger..

Thanks guys for input. School is starting in two weeks and I still can't make decision. Some NPs (not psych NP) encourage me to stay in pharmacy school mainly because of the higher workload and being on call and compensation. Ha.. I hate to be indecisive. Basically, I didn't do anything productive this summer other than being indecisive. I just started working in psych unit last week. I like talking to patient but I don't like workload as a staff Psych RN. Staff psych RNs don't have the opportunity to perform "official" psychotherapy due to workload. I am working again this Friday and I will do my best to listen to "my inner voice" or "gut feeling", even if I may not be able to shadow an NP in time before school starts. At least, the peer environment will be different for sure. The classroom won't be full of 20s year old like PharmD. My inner voice said that "I like artistic and humanistic materials. I want career that is more than a job. I am a intuitive feeler, not a strong sensing/thinking type" I might have to give up the artistic and free-spirited part of me if I decide to continue with pharmacy school. Another practical voice is saying "Science is more prestigious and predictable than arts. Pharmacy school is more scientifically intellectual. Pharmacy is a diverse career path. I can also do research/teaching etc if I don't like routine... Jobs are jobs... It's ok as long as you don't hate it. You're an introvert... pharmacy may be better choice due to my introvert personality"

Is that the tuition alone? I think Duke is only ~1,000 for per credit hours... You could go to private pharm/med schools for that amount of money....

Do we have official ranking website for NP schools or any suggestions about which schools are prestigious? So I guess getting accepted to a public school is not sufficient?

"One" NP I met told me that where you go to school matters. She told me that she went to a very renowned local private school. She told me that the patient will ask me which school I went to and many patient give her more respect/admiration because of the school she went to. However, I am not going to pay that outrageous amount of tuition just for the name. For my book, tuition >>>> reputation. I think any public school is fine.

http://www.usphs.gov/profession/nurse/compensation.aspx Also at USPHS in form of sign on bonus for commitment. well... sorry didn't read your post carefully that you said "said from military" I think USPHS personnels can be deployed as an armed force but it hasn't happened for a long time.