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.