Smitty08

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 (DNP). The whole program at NCC cost me $2000. - how...

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 for the DNP in the future. The DNP has been very c...

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" - just a thought. As to the message, heartfelt, seaso...

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 that kind of setting you might get discouraged by see...

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 rationales for the answer. If psych. is what you like...

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 noted above, you WILL say the wrong things sometimes ...

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

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 that! Even that was a great learning experience. ...

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 psych. settings, the better. I think that is the v...

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. Now I work primarily in psych., its easier to keep u...

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% convinced this is wise. I just love it when I can st...

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 love all of it, its just that the role and responsi...

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 would go so far to say I have saved lives by careful m...

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 may have more options as a psych. NP. For example...

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 aspects, unfortunately. Some current textbooks even cite...

Regarding the comment: "Any student nurse can tell you that diagnosing belongs in the realm of the physician. Nurses do not diagnose." Actually we do. Check advanced practice scopes of practice, which vary from state to state. It's a big part of w...

Hi Has anyone tried velcro? Would rip apart if used for hanging... its cheap too!

You might want to look at Upper Orange St. / State Street area of New Haven. I lived there, it was nice. A grad student area. Parking can be tough. Another good area is the village over by SCSU (can't remember the name of the village itself but i...

Is it just me or does anyone else dislike the term "Behavioral Unit?"? To me it conjures up images of training versus healing, as one would train an animal. Where did this term come from? Are we that inclined to come up with an inaccurate term jus...

I am familiar with the term sleep hygiene, I always assumed it was in common use. It makes sense as a descriptor and I use it in my notes to denote a general discussion of a pts sleep. One "sleep hygiene" tenet I have not noticed posted before is "...

I agree with the other two posters and would add: your experience may even be an asset as you will empathise with others and understand some things from first hand experience. Good luck!

In response to question "what do you mean about the "death myth" from another poster: I used that term because that is how I think of it. After one experiences OOB or life after death, one has to find a new way to think of the process of leaving on...

Sounds about right to me too. In some settings, you may be asked to help lead groups or even lead groups independently. That's helpful experience is you can get that too!

Sure you can do "private counselling' - I think you mean psychotherapy. I don't do too much of that now but it is well within the scope of practice. Yup, just like the psychiatrists and they probably don't do too much of that either! Mostly the n...

I agree with the posts above and I would add: Its interesting you state "I am a spiritual person but not a religious person" I would think that as a spiritual person, not a religious person you might be even a little further along on the journey abo...