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 about that?? I'm sure its quite a different program now, but it was excellent even then. Definitely one of the most academically challenging things I have ever done, but I was also a kid then. It was a very busy 2 years. The stack of text books practically reached the ceiling and the syllabus was as thick as a phone book. But I took a deep breath and got through. We started our class with 103 students and I think it was 43 that graduated. It was that challenging. I wouldn't fixate on getting "A"s - very difficult. Just get through!! Seems like we had a test every day. Try to work only at a minimum and devote yourself to the program! Best of luck to you, you are making a very wise move!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nursing is a truly great field that I love love love.

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 challenging academically for me as I went to a rigorus university. Job options, oh yes!

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, seasonal and brief. e.g. Best wishes for a happy and peaceful holiday and a happy new year - or such... You sound like a nice and concerned nurse. Have a merry christmas and happy holiday yourself!

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 seeing some heavily Axis II, addictive personality types w. the associated games/drug-seeking behaviors. I enjoyed working in that area never-the-less as we had a great team. You can always move on to another area, having more skills under your belt from the experience!! Good luck to you!

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, don't move on, stick with it. And yes, you will definitely improve in your psych. nursing as you mature in your practice -and- expect to make small mistakes at first, that you will learn from. You're human. It's most important that you like it, and you have the right temperament for it. It's a fantastically rewarding nursing area! Best of luck!

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 but if you are genuine, you'll do just fine!

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. But in my world I am well respected and I respect myself and my clients. In short - I love the work and always have.

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 very best advice. Best of luck!:)

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 up with credentially in psych. but not that hard to stay qualified as an FNP. Since I don't work as an FNP I have to retake the exam. Its something I may not do forever! Both areas do compliment each other so well, so many psych. dx have a medical component and vice versa. You'd have to enjoy school however! Good Luck!

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 stabilize a patient on ONE mood stabilizer. My personal choice is Lamictal/Lamotrigine which has strong anti-depressant properties as well. LICO3 works well too, but is in some ways riskier and more troublesome. I personally LOVE treating bipolar, it is so interesting! And when treated well, quality of life can really return for a patient!

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 responsibilities have continued to change. I think if you have the right temperament for working in psych. it can be a very fullfilling and rewarding choice. Good luck!

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 medication management. I do some therapy - not much - but enough to keep my hand in and my skills up. Its a great advance practice role, very gratifying.

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, you could focus on therapy, meds, or ???

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 some movies they recommend. The best of the bunch that I know about are "A Beautiful Mind" (Schizophrenia), "Mr Jones" or "Michael Clayton" (Bipolar) "Fearless" (trauma, Depression). Among others.

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 what we do, and for a good reason : correct treatment always follows a careful diagnosis. It's nursing treatment from a medical basis, and believe me, NANDA does not cut it there! Someone else wrote (to the effect) "we're not allowed to use the physician's language" to which I say : yes you are, you just aren't allowed to be the one to make the diagnosis (unless in advanced practice sphere.) Once the diagnosis is made, it's perfectly correct for a nurse to refer to a patients XYZ medical condition instead of referring to is as "altered comfort" or whatever. How would we ever talk to one another in that scenario? Nanda has us speaking a language that others have no use for. To the extent it helps nurses conceptualize nursing care, maybe it has merit. Unfortunately it has to be jettisoned (or adapted?) for advanced practice!

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 it is near the Merritt Parkway exit) Also -Wooster square. New Haven is a lot more interesting than many of the suburbs.

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 "avoiding daytime napping." I always check this out with patients, some of whom say "I NEVER sleep!" When you ask if they nap during the day, they sure do, and sometimes most of the day!

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 one's physical body -either leaving it temporarily or permanently. The term "death" does not really apply, as "we" or conciousness - continues. At that point, the idea "we" go on is now longer a hope or concept or belief - but a REALITY. A process experienced. Hence, the word "death being a "myth" at least for me (and others.) Ok it sounds...uuummm...kooky...but its true for me.

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 need is for medication management, assessment/diagnosis, at least in my area.

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 about life after death or whatever understanding you come to about this important life issue. Certainly this is a major existential issue we all have to deal with as well as a spiritual issue. I deal with this with clients a lot and I encourage them to explore their beliefs and experiences to determine their own understanding of life/death. Personally I no longer believe in the death myth, having experienced myself out of body life and etc...however that is a personal experience which helps me - but not necessarily you or others. You need to find out what is true for you. Take a deep breath and realize maybe its a good thing that you are in a profession where you need to grapple with the issue. It will only move you onwards in your spiritual life. It's an issue many never deal with. Best of luck to you!

Hi! I wonder if the issue for the insurers is that you are new to the NP role, as I have heard that some insurers want 2 yrs. experience, particularly for prescribers. Maybe this is not about your DUI as often that will come off your record if there is not a further infraction. Did you look into that?