Smitty08

Smitty08

Psychiatry (PMHNP), Family (FNP)

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All Content by Smitty08

  1. When can I start looking for an RN job in a hospital???

    Smitty08 replied to KK1017's topic in General Nursing

    Don't be discouraged! It's just a rotten time to "launch" into nursing. The tides will turn, and you will have more options. Try to learn as much as you can now and bide your time. Something more...

  2. Dg. Bipolar in children but not adolesc/adults?????

    Smitty08 replied to Shell5's topic in Psychiatric

    It always makes me laugh or tear my hair when clinicians get all political with diagnosing. Its always the client who suffers. I worked at one place where the doc NEVER would dx with Borderline...

  3. Can I still be a nurse?

    Smitty08 replied to anya16's topic in Psychiatric

    Hi - first of all, never count yourself out of the game. I have one thought however. Having working in Psych. for "many moons" I have seen many things. When you mention you were diagnosed with 4...

  4. Question for anyone who went to Norwalk CC....

    Smitty08 replied to 3rdgenRN2B's topic in Connecticut Nursing

    I went to NCC a l-o-n-g time ago however, I remember the A+P was very memory oriented, like taking a trip through the body, visiting every cell. Both semesters were the same, a lot of memorization....

  5. Can NPS write prescriptions for themselves and Family?

    Smitty08 replied to diapason05's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    I heard from someone reputable in my state that the BON, consistent with our NPA does condone prescribing for oneself and family with the priviso (as pointed out by "Jalexhoe" nicely above) that you...

  6. AANC PNP exam

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

    I did take it some years ago (PMHNP.) I didn't have too much trouble, my impression was if you had a lot of experience it was not too hard to do well - just my impression...Best of

  7. Leaving work at work.

    Smitty08 replied to Eirene's topic in Psychiatric

    It must be a very difficult environment to work in. From what I have seen in my work SO many mentally ill clients make very bad choices when they are manic or dysregulated due to substances or...

  8. PMH-NP?

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

    Hi - I would go for what you really want. Or...do both! I did (FNPand PMHNP). Its a lot of clinical hours to get certified in both areas. There is much overlap in symptoms from one area to the...

  9. DNP Category?

    Smitty08 posted a topic in Doctoral Nursing Degrees

    DNP student here! With all the debate going on in the NP category over the viability, sensibility, training and etc... of the DNP program, doesn't it seem like time there is a DNP category, maybe...

  10. BSNs at Disadvantage for PA School?

    Smitty08 replied to Darjeeling22's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    Sorry but I think that PA who advised you has rocks in his/her head. I'm not sure why you would choose PA over NP, especially when one builds on your knowledge already. I reject the idea that one...

  11. FNP or MBA?

    Smitty08 replied to jnb1740's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    Hi James! Also think about what culture you want to be working in. I am an FNP/PMHNP who also has an MBA - it was a degree that I thought was right for me at the time (I was younger and didn't know...

  12. Nursing intervention for schizophrenic patient having sex?

    Smitty08 replied to robinslapsRN's topic in Psychiatric

    I think the context would be important to look at here. Are they out in a common area of a psych. unit having sex. UMMMM...I think that would need to be quickly re-directed. I'm asssuming you are...

  13. Do psych nurses actually make a difference?

    Smitty08 replied to Lola77's topic in Psychiatric

    I have always felt I was able to make a difference in patient's lives working in psych. Working inpatient as an RN, YES! And often at a time in a person's life when they really may be desperate. Not...

  14. Is Psych/MHNP or FNP worth it? *can't decide!*

    Smitty08 replied to NPs4health's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    Sometimes you can get lucky and get into an FNP program and continue on and get a certificate in Psych. I did that - the downside was I had to do 6 clin. placements - YIKES- 3 in primary care...

  15. An Average Day for a Psychiatric NP

    Smitty08 replied to luckylady5's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    Hi again. As to the question about salary - that will vary widely depending on geographic region (east and west coast seem to have the best salaries, at least from my vantage point.) There is a wide...

  16. An Average Day for a Psychiatric NP

    Smitty08 replied to luckylady5's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    Hi! I think it has to do with experience, however, there seem to be plenty of jobs. Some go unadvertised and one is just contacted by "headhunters." Maybe more of the FNP jobs just go begging. I...

  17. An Average Day for a Psychiatric NP

    Smitty08 replied to luckylady5's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    I think the average day is going to vary greatly among Psych. NP's as we all have different duties. However, prescribing is a big part of what I do, and the related documentation. I like doing...

  18. Antidepressants and Bipolar Disorder

    Smitty08 replied to linzz's topic in Psychiatric

    Yes agree with Whispera. Also, many clts with Bipolar find the anti-depressant agitating and not helpful. There is growing research verifying this, and I see it in practice a great deal. I like...

  19. Why be a Psychiatrist when you could be a Psych NP?

    Smitty08 replied to maziemoo22's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    It really depends on the area of the country - both in terms of salary and in terms of practice restrictions. Here in the northeast the salaries and opportunities are good. We are moving also...

  20. DNP Category?

    Smitty08 replied to Smitty08's topic in Doctoral Nursing Degrees

    Thats a good question! I think what is changing for me is my overall outlook on healthcare, research and how to integrate it into practice, leadership and such. So...does it make one a better...

  21. Have any males experienced what I am feeling now being in nursing school?

    Smitty08 replied to lum917's topic in Male Nursing Students

    Its a tough spot to be in. I graduated in '84 (fossil) as the only guy who made it out of 4 who started. BTW they entered 103 students and 40+/- graduated. So everyone was dropping like flies. I...

  22. NP's with second jobs

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

    Or..work in a different job at the same mastery level if you need extra $$ or experience. For example, mostly I prescribe, but I could work at a different place prescribing, doing therapy or some...

  23. anxious about P/MHNP ANCC exam

    Smitty08 replied to Psych NP graduate's topic in Psychiatric

    I think its all based on your experience. I did a dual cert. in FNP and PMHNP. My background was 10 yrs. or so of psych. and minimal medical experience. Took the FNP first, missed the first time by...

  24. RN-FNP. Any help would be appreciated :)

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

    Hi, Even if you want to go on in nursing into an advanced practice role, you do not necessarily have to have a BSN. There are schools that will permit an RN with a BA in psych. or other area to enter...

  25. Time crunch of psych nursing

    Smitty08 replied to PAERRN20's topic in Psychiatric

    I agree w. Jules that probably overall we get a little more time to talk to patients. Its been a long time since I've been on a psych. floor per se, however, I remember busy days, and not so busy...