Smitty08

Smitty08 has 20 years experience and specializes in Psychiatry (PMHNP), Family (FNP).

Latest Activity

1. Norwalk community college nursing program 2013

   Smitty08 replied to Sammie2015's topic in Connecticut Nursing

   I went to NNC for nursing back in the Stone Age, I graduated in '84. It was the best thing I could have ever done. I'm still working in Nursing as a Psych NP and this year completing my Doctorate...

2. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners... are there jobs available?

   Smitty08 replied to jawijrn's topic in Psychiatric

   Hi- The DNP is a relatively new degree, so the DNP prepared psych. nurse will, at this time, be working more typically in an APRN role. This will continue to evolve and there may be a distinct role...

3. Motivational Message

   Smitty08 replied to Mashira's topic in Psychiatric

   Sounds like a nice idea, would this just be from you or from the other staff too? Be a little careful with that, some patients might misunderstand. It might be better if it were "from the Staff" -...

4. First job in Psych nursing

   Smitty08 replied to beachhorizon's topic in Psychiatric

   Sounds like you are a natural for psych. given what you said. Your original post mentioned a first job at a rehab/addictions type place. I agree "any job is a good job" but know going in that in...

5. Should I be concerned?

   Smitty08 replied to mangopeach's topic in Psychiatric

   I agree don't sweat it. Some of those questions on therapeutic communication are among the hardest. Try to find a really good review book and blast away at the questions and be sure to read the...

6. First Psych Clinical

   Smitty08 replied to incurable_optimism's topic in General Nursing

   Also, when I had my students in psych. I always advised them to quickly find out where all the games and art supplies are kept. Games are great ice breakers, even just a deck of cards. Also, as...

7. Are there no on campus DNP programs?

   Smitty08 replied to nursetim's topic in Post Graduate Students

   University of Connecticut is once a month classroom and most of the rest

8. Why are we as Psych nurses seen as bottom of the barrel?

   Smitty08 replied to dreamingofbeing's topic in Psychiatric

   I agree. We are the bees knees. I've helped so many people. How many people can say that? I can appreciate how tough it can be to be in a difficult inpatient setting in psych - been there and done...

9. I want to be a Psych NP- Advice please!

   Smitty08 replied to beauty912's topic in Psychiatric

   Psych. nursing experience is INVALUABLE both in deciding if this path is right for you and also to build a knowledge base that will serve you well as an NP in psych. The more experience in different...

10. NP Certification Renewal for those who are dual certified in different specialties...

    Smitty08 replied to xraytech's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    HI I did pursue dually boarding FNP/then PMHNP. It was a really good way for me to go. I completed the FNP first, then did the psych. It involved 6 clinical placements, which was a lot of time....

11. Pharmacology for Bipolar Dxo

    Smitty08 replied to epijunky's topic in Psychiatric

    Agree with above posters. Often adding an anti-depressant can activate (encourage hypomania/mania) in someone with bipolar. Others with bipolar seem to need an anti-depressant, but I am not 100%...

12. Any happy psych nurses?

    Smitty08 replied to Hsmommy's topic in Psychiatric

    I was always very happy being a psych. nurse. Never really minded going to work. I felt I could really help people, and I did on a daily basis. Now that I am a PMHNP and completing a DNP, I still...

13. What do Mental Health NP's do?

    Smitty08 replied to SnowShoeRN's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    I agree with the above 2 posters. There are many different practice sites and philosophies of treatment. I typically do a great deal of medication management ("Throwing meds - NOT!") In fact I...

14. Psych Nursing vs. Occupational Therapy

    Smitty08 replied to RosePMHNP's topic in Psychiatric

    I loved being a psych. RN, and love being a psych. NP just as much or more. OT and Psych RN or NP are two very different things, I think you have to focus on what is right for your temperament. You...

15. Suggested Videos / Movies About Mental Health

    Smitty08 replied to NCindasun21's topic in Psychiatric

    Actually there are SOME good and accurate movies out of Hollywood that do a good job of depicting psych. diagnoses, I have used some with students. Hollywood seems to overdramatize the violent...