williamd

First of all, you have a lot of plans for the next 8+ years. By the time you start your NP program, it is likely to be a DNP program, you probably know that. 1) I worked as a psych tech when I was in nursing school, it was an inpatient unit, great experience, and I got a job there as a nurse when I finished my RN program. I have worked as a nurse in a variety of settings, and with tech's at all. Each would be good experience, but you will probably learn more inpatient. 2) the AANP publishes a salary study every 2 years, it is available free. Don't get too excited though, your first job out of school is likely to be considerably less than what they list. In Michigan, we have a state NP association, and they have some job postings around the state. Worth looking into. 3) You have a great plan, almost too good. You need to keep your mind open as you go through school, you never know, you might find that cardiac is what you really love.

Passing the core NP courses doesn't prepare one to manage medical problems, it's a foundation to build on with cliical courses. I work at a community mental health center, and treating medical problems is not allowed, it is outside the terms of our liability insurance. Which is just fine with me, as I do not feel qualified to do so anyway. All NP's have been trained to do H&P's, which is not the same as treating. I have seen job postings at the VA, a few health clinics, and some inpatient hospital settings, requiring practicing both in mental health and medical areas. The only thing I can figure out is these places either do not understand how PMHNP training works, or they are looking for someone who's origional training is as an FNP, with a PMHNP cert.

There are a lot of postings in the career area on the AANP website. Also, my state NP association has a number of postings. And lastly, the school I went to had potential employers contact them all the time with jobs openings, which the profs would forward to us.

The online programs are not going to go away, there are just too many people who cannot attend traditional schools. Schedules, distance, family and work situations prevent many people from attaining their dreams. Online courses can open up the possibility of a life-changing career step. My NP degree, from Wayne State University is a brick and morter, traditional degree. Even there, some content was online. That is just the the growth of the learning environment in this modern world. Prior to my NP degree, I completed an MSN in Nursing Administration. This degree is from Norwich University, a highly rated online program. I will tell you, this program was every bit as rigourous as the traditional school. I truely believe that there is ample opportunity for variety in education, not everyone can succeed in an online program, and the same is true of brick and morter. In both, you only get out of the program what you put into it.

The practice of post-hospital phone calls is a good one. The problem lies in trying to give advise and practice over the phone. My advise is to ask people who are having problems to come in and be seen.

I used the Mometrix flashcards. They were very helpfull, as well as the test-taking tips that were included. The test was changed recently, and I don't think all the review materials have caught up yet. More therapy, less nursing theory. My past practical experience help me out with the social-work type questions.

I have a free Men in Nursing 2011 from Lippincott. It features different men in all areas of nursing. No beafcake, just regular guys like you and me at work. They are free (not sure how I got mine in the mail), the contact info on the back is Cindy Dozois -> [email protected]. I have mine at hanging on the wall at work versus something with flowers or lighthouses.

Currently going to school at Wayne State University. There are over 400 NP students, and ~11 different programs. The 2 specialties there are no men in (as far as I know) are Womens Health, and Nurse Midwife. However, reading some of the postings in the in the advance practice boards, and I have seen a few men that are in these areas also. How many OB-GYN physicians are men?

All the techniques for developing good study habits would fill a book, and have- many of them. I want to suggest 2 things. These may or may not apply to you. #1 lay off any mood altering chemicals. These get in the way of neurotransmitters in the brain which are responsible for memory. Literally, you won't remember what you study as well if you are drinking or smoking pot. Also, use leads to lack of motivation. #2 join a study group. If you are part of a group, you help motivate each other, help study and learn in different ways than if you study just by yourself. Also, it sounds as though you have not done much in the study department in the past, and joining with someone who has better study habits than yourself can only help. And lastly, having study partners means you are forced to have a regular study time, which it sound like you haven't been doing. Good luck, and keep up the hard work, the end result is worth it!

I would look at a direct entry program. There are quite a few programs that are available as online or distance learning, which may fit in with your work situation. I would look at a DNP program, it sounds as though you want to go into practice on your own, and being able to say you have a doctoral degree would work well for this. Also, in the future, there may be advantages as far as reimbursement, who knows?

I am just finishing my psych NP program, and have 20+ years experience as a psych nurse. This background has been invaluable as I have progressed through my program. I know many of my classmates do not have the psych experience that I do. They are good students, and can make up the difference with a lot of hard study and research, but there is no way to quite make up the difference of experience when you are talking to a patient- you just have a feeling for what their issues are. However, I do believe that direct entry is a valid road to success, you just have to put a lot into your education to make up for what you have not already learned by experience. And don't count on your program making sure you have all the knowledge and training you will need. At the Masters level, a lot of your training is self directed: you get out of it what you put into it. Your prof's will seldom spoon feed you, you have to go out there and learn on your own.

You have to be working as a nurse, and it has to be in a federally qualified health care setting. I qualified this year, but the fund ran out of money before they got to me. So it is possible, but difficult.

The clinical practice of a psychiatric nurse practitioner involves the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of those with a mental illness. Medications are just a part, therapy is also an important element. Nurses have an important, different perspective from the medical profession. We look at the whole person and utilize a holistic aproach. While a PMHNP is not licensed to treat medical problems, you will need to know how the physical body impacts a persons mental health. Don't worry though, you will have plenty of training along the way. First in the undergrad nursing program, then in your NP training, everyone is required to take and advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology courses. But if you prefer to work in areas of less blood and guts, the psychiatric field is a good place. You will deal somewhat in with those things, but to a lesser extent. The field is fill with nurses who feel the same way you do. And you never know, as you go through training and then work, you may find a different nich that really speaks to you. There is something for most everyone in the field of nursing. The important thing is to have a desire to help you fellow man.

I wouldn't bother retaking classes. Go ahead and try applying to a school, many will let you in on a probationary basis. You have to maintain a certain grade average for say, 6 months, then you will be in good standing. Some schools are a bit snotting and would not let you in, others are looking for students, and will work with you. There are many online schools that are hungry for students, this would give you a good selection, instead of whatever school is local.

I got my MSN from Norwich University. All of the problems you identify as being barriers to success would not be an issue there. Norwich also has one of the highest satisfaction rates with graduates. I see many other posters have had positive experiences, so there are good schools out there. I suggest talking to the Dean, and let that person know you are dissatisfied and will leave if they don't improve. Online degrees are definately different from going to night classes locally. From what you describe of your situation, it sounds as though this could work well for you, so I hope it works out.