TheOldGuy

Between the two, I'd probably suggest in-patient - mostly so you would know what happens in that setting. However, I would suggest getting experience outside of psych - especially as a new RN. My experience in the ED, ICU and Tele have made a tremendous difference in building my knowledge base. Our patients have numerous co-morbidities and having a more solid medical background will help you build credibility with your physician colleagues.

How do the politics affect me? Ever hear the phrase "the tail wagging the dog"? I felt the program I attended prepared me extremely well.

Wow. Please, I intend no disrespect, but I can't help but express my shock that it is possible to become an NP without having anatomy and physiology without a lab component. This is the sort of thing that challenges our credibility when it comes to full practice authority. If I may ask, what schools did you attend for your RN and NP programs? If you would prefer not to say, I understand....

There is likely a range of quality in distance learning programs just as there is in brick and mortar programs. I earned my MSN in the PMHNP program at the University of North Dakota - outstanding program. I felt very well prepared to practice. The program was rigorous and required a great deal of self-discipline.

I'm a psych NP. I love what I do. I hate the politics of nonprofits. I work M-F 8-5 with no call.

You're welcome jmnurse.... Pursuing an FNP is not a bad choice - it will build on the experience and knowledge you have. In primary care you will see a lot of psych...I'd recommend the Master Psychopharmacologist program through the Neuroscience Education Institute (neiglobal.com) after you've taken the basic pharmacology course in your FNP program. You can always add a post NP certificate in psych - if you find you're still interested......

Congrats on your DNP! You're right - the issue really is outcomes. Another good indicator of the quality of care provided by NPs is the marked difference in malpractice claim frequency - which is present in both states that have some sort of collaboration agreement as well as the growing number of states where NPs have independent practice authority.

While it is true that the author/owner of the page did not cite any sources, everything that is stated is pretty much dead on - at the same time, I don't disagree with those who state that medical school is more rigorous. However, the page does not discuss rigor of education, only years of study and outcomes.

No idea - try calling them....

Hi JM, I'm glad it helped! Your post points out one of the MAJOR problems in nursing: you're working as a psych clinical instructor but you're worried that you may not have enough experience in psych to do a PMHNP program! We are in such a rush to get students into nursing programs even though we don't have faculty who have the training and background to really prepare and teach them.... You really should get some in-patient psych nursing experience - part time perhaps. One of the jobs I had while I was going to grad school was on the mobile assessment team with a local psychiatric hospital. I would go to EDs in area hospitals and evaluate patients for involuntary holds. It was great experience and helped with diagnostic reason and decision making. As nurses we don't make decisions - we assess and inform so someone else can make a decision which we implement. One of the changes in role to an NP involves learning how to make a decision - its not easy! I know you're busy in teaching and working in MS/O but some part time psych experience would be good. I worked 8 shifts a week in 3 different jobs while I was in school to try to get everything in !!

Some people might disagree with me on this but I don't care! :) I would strongly suggest that if you want to be an NP in psych you should get some solid medical nursing experience eg Med Surg, ED or ICU. Always remember that psych diagnoses are rule out diagnoses and we need to always consider other medical differentials. Most of our patients have significant medical co-morbidities involving medications or treatments that may impact or complicate psychiatric treatment. Psychiatry is sometimes plagued by the not knowing what you don't know syndrome. Our physician colleagues have all had basic rotations in all areas of medicine. Nursing school experience is NOT adequate. In addition, many psych patients may not even have a PCP and you have to be capable of recognizing and possibly diagnosing or treating a wide range of medical issues. After graduating from nursing school, I looked at my jobs in nursing as a sort of residency. I worked in a variety of areas ranging from inpatient psych to med surg to ED to cardiac and respiratory ICU. I worked full time while I went to grad school, told all the docs I worked with that I was in an NP program and asked them to treat me like a med student - they were more than accommodating and I was regularly humiliated! But I learned a ton. I am a much better NP for it and am compensated accordingly.

Been there too.... Sometimes we have to remember what it means to be a nurse...... Great job!

I started at about $135. Be willing to take several part time positions. As you gain experience you can make a better case for higher pay. Leverage pay at one part time position to the others. Then look for full time work. I worked full time and part time - lol!

You're always in a stronger position before you say yes. $85 per hour isn't bad. That's over $170k per yr. I would take that and later look to earn that or more with benefits.

Why wouldn't it? You have to think like a doc and not like a nurse re salary. You also have to be willing to walk. I have been offered much lower compensation a number of times - I just said "thanks but no thanks". I am good at what I do and will not accept low pay. If you are good and you know what you want and are willing to walk if you don't get it then you will be more successful when it comes to increasing your compensation.