Carlyjo

I have applied for the FNP/DNP at the University of South Alabama. I am currently a PMHNP and went to UNC. I have a fellow PMHNP co-worker who graduated from the University of South Alabama. She is an excellent NP, recently graduated a few years back. I have researched this school and will answer what I can: The course is an mostly online format, with face time between students and professors to promote class discussions. A few campus visits are required as well. They base their admissions on first GPA and then nursing experience. They are very selective in their admissions. She said the program is very challenging, hence all of the bad reviews. Mostly people go out of their way to post negative comments when not successful. Their tuition is a bit lower because they are a public university and prices vary state to state. The University of South Alabama has a large university hospital and an associated medical school. My co-worker said she did not have any problems during her program. If you have a hard time finding preceptors, they will provide them but you must go to Alabama (I already asked this question). Good Luck on what you decide!

The South, except Mississippi, Alabama, and parts of TN (Memphis, Nashville) is terrible for PsychNP. This is horrible but true. FNP makes the same or more than Psych NP in most of the South. Derm is the best field, hands down. That is the area I am interested in and plan to return for my FNP to do derm. I have also decided that I will not accept another job as a Psych NP for less than six figures. As a new grad, I was scared to negotiate fully since new grad NPs have a difficult time in my area finding a job period. The next place I accept employment will be for six figures or I will not accept. I'll just stay right where I am. I believe if all Psych NPs do this in the South, wages will increase for experienced Psych NPs.

Yes, I believe we have all seen posts of those wishing to become NPs that are CNAs or from another field. People are allowed to have dreams and try to fulfill them. This is the land of opportunity. I don’t appreciate your jab at single mothers. I was a single mother when I went from CNA to RN. I had many nurses that I worked with jeer and say hurtful things about how I would not handle it, etc. Well, I did handle it. I graduated, got married, and finished as a NP. You should see the face of those nurses on the med-surge floor who jabbed me all those years ago. It is priceless. I don’t know if I could have become an NP as a single mother, let alone go from CNA to NP as a single mother. Any woman who does this has the hand of God upon her. I wouldn’t jeer or mock something God has molded, he will strike you. It may not be today or tomorrow, but you will repay. If you believe in a higher power.

I don’t think it will be long before most programs go to online with the exception of a few campus visits. Some backward professors are stalling this transition (at least in my program).The programs some of you graduated from that are hybrid will be online before long as well. The professors holding back may be looking for another job. Definitely looking into distance learning for my FNP.

I have noticed that the people on here that dog other NP programs are not NPs. The few NPs that do have nasty remarks about other NP programs are generally very insecure. Making fun of a colleague is tacky, period. There is a special place somewhere for people that keep others from putting food in their mouth. Karma is very real. What you say about someone else today is likely what you will be living in the future. Just a thought.

I don’t exactly agree with this. Two of the top graduate schools for PMHNP now deliver a completely online format. Rush and Vanderbilt are in this format…not synchronous, either. Actually, Rush and Vanderbilt are ranked in the top 5. I know my co-worker “knows her stuff”. Some people may not be as affluent as you are, having kids and the like that they want to spend time with. Going back to school requires sacrifice and money. I went to an ADN for my RN, a for profit for my RN-BSN, and a hybrid program for my MSN. None of the three were easy. I doubt Rush and Vanderbilt are either. For profits are not currently offering the PMHNP track online.

I think that restricting NPs from signing disability forms is very serious. If an NP is in independent practice, they cannot sign for a patient that is in need of disability. The patient (or the NP) has to arrange for the patient to be seen by an MD. I can see this issue causing problems in independent practice, big time. Word of mouth in the community is how an NP builds up his/her practice, and if a patient tells others “she cannot even sign my such and such form, she is not a doctor” this could hurt the NPs business.

One has to consider cost of living related to salary. I do not live near the cost, so cost of living is reasonable in my area. Cost of living on the west coast and other parts of the country are outrageous. 110k salary estimates may not reflect cost of living. 80k may equal 110k after taxes and differences in cost of living. If you are tied to a specific area and have no plans to move, defiantly go FNP verses PMHNP.

I live in SC, went to the UNC for my PMHNP. Our class completed a large portion of the program in the hybrid format. I would look into other schools that offer PMHNP. Be sure the school you choose has an associated medical school/hospital. I have a co-worker that went to the University of South Alabama, which also has a medical school/hospital. She said the program is very difficult, though. I had no problems with UNC, it is ranked 11th in graduate nursing education. Now for the bad part. Salary in this area is not as good as other parts of the country. If you can relocate after graduation, you will get the best salary. NC/SC salaries for PMHNP start out 70,000-80,000. There is a great deal of oversaturation in this area as well, with few jobs. If you can move after graduation, I would say go for PMHNP. If not, I would say choose FNP. I don't think any diploma mills are currently offering PMHNP. But with the false sense that going into this area will make one rich, I would not be surprised to see this NP track offered at diploma mills!

I completed the RN-BSN program at Chamberlain. I went to a community college for my ADN. I got into the MSN school of my choice. I do have complaints with Chamberlain but it prepared me well for graduate school. The cost of the program is very steep and if I had it to do over, I do not think I would choose Chamberlain. Others on this site seem to not have encountered the same problems. I do not have any complaints from my MSN program (I did not go to Chamberlain for my MSN). I think it all depends on what professor you are assigned in each class. My main complaint is from my evidenced based practice class and the community health class.

Megan, I have a co-worker that went to the University of South Alabama. The way she describes that program, it is much more rigorous than my hybrid program. I went to a public intuition, the University of South Alabama is also a public institution. Both have associated medical centers/programs. I wish I had looked into other public institutions that offer NP tracks online. I feel like I spent too much time driving back and forth to school that could have been used studying or spending time with my family.

There are many hybrid programs available. I think we need to make a distinction between online verses for-profit. Online does not necessarily mean for profit. Many public institutions offer NP tracks. This being said, I went to Chamberlain for my RN-BSN. Chamberlain was no cake walk, and it prepared me well for graduate school. Chamberlain has a B&M campus. It does not have an associated medical center. I would be very wary of going to a NP school that does not have a medical school. I am a PMHNP, and yes I went to very good program for my MSN. But to each his own.

I work outpatient full time. I think the worst part for the majority of NPs is that we are not paid hourly or per patient. If you can get hourly or a per patient rate, this controls more of what you earn. Most doctors work this way, and it is a shame that NPs do not. Unlike staff RNs, we get no overtime because we are salary. I had to sign a no compete contract which limits any work I might want to do on the side. I think many NPs have to sign some sort of no compete contract. As a staff RN PRN I could have stayed and worked all the hours I wanted, including overtime. When I was an RN in the hospital, the psychiatrists would come in, round, and then go to their private practice. I do not know any NPs that do this, the hospital either employs them fulltime (on salary) or they work outpatient (again, salary). Working either of these options entails 8-5 and some days 7-6 because you will see a great deal of time seeing patients and an outrageous amount of time dealing with insurance/Medicaid for medication authorizations, additional days for hospital stays, and paperwork. Again, I am not trying to discourage, because anybody that has a heart for psych will be an asset. Maybe your employer will be willing to pay a per patient rate/percentage and if they do I would say grab that chance. You will also be able to be a DON, which can in some places pay more than psych NP. If you live close to the VA. The VA has jobs and probably always will, although the compensation begins in the $70,000-$80,000 range, at least in my area. The VA has very good benefits.

Ella86rn, I did not mean to offend you. I also do not mean to be pessimistic, just honest. If you already have a job offer from your employer, this is excellent. If you have the heart for psych then you need to be a Psych NP. The main point I am trying to make is that overall in the South, PMHNPs are underpaid and jobs are not on every doorstep. Other areas of the country must be in need of psych providers. I know salary ranges for jobs with benefits in the overall Southeast region start around $80,000. Those with a great deal of psych NP experience may hit six figures, but coming out of school this is not realistic in the South. Inpatient may pay a little more because it involves on-call, JCAHO, being responsible for seclusion/restraint, etc. I love my job and what I do, but I do not like how limited I am. The OP wanted an honest answer from a PMHNP that has been in the job market. If you have the backing of a psychiatrist, opening your own practice could be an option. I think Arizona/New Mexico is where PMHNPs make the most. And I plan on getting my FNP for sure!

Actually, I went to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program is ranked 11th by Us News & World Report. They are mostly distance learning, so my classmates were spread throughout the South. Vanderbilt is “online” now, BTW. Vandy has a large class planned next year so there will be significant competition in your area. Vandy graduates are the cream of the crop. Sure hope you are going there or you have a good network, cause you’ll need it!

Yes, I live in SC. Oversaturation currently exists in SC, TN, KY and NC is filling up as well. There are very few jobs in KY, a girl in my class from KY had to move Arizona to get a job. She told me places in the area were skittish about hiring a new grad. I also think that a big problem exists with some MDs in the area being territorial in the South, I know this is true in SC. My husband is disappointed as well, but he is firm on not moving West. In the West jobs are still available, but that is the point I was trying to make. The South is not a good area for PMHNP and those that live in the South contemplating on PMHNP need to know this.

I am writing this in honesty because I feel like everyone considering becoming a PMHNP should be aware: I am a PMHNP and graduated Fall 2012. I would like to know where PMHNP are earning 80% of what a psychiatrist earns??? I can tell you in my area of the country, that is not happening. Furthermore, it took me 4 months to find a job after passing my ANCC exam. I started about $80,000 and so did the rest of my classmates, including those who moved to take jobs all over the country. Some states have higher salaries but this correlates to the cost of living. What if you cannot find a job for a few months after graduation? Will you be happy accepting $70,000-80,000 a year, while relocating to get that? Many new grad NPs have problems finding employment. There is definitely an oversaturation of PMHNP in many areas of the country. Also, foreign residents are jumping at the chance to match in psychiatry because this specialty is one that foreign residents can be confident of getting into the US( I am not even going to get started on this issue). Even in the independent states, I think a psychiatrist must supervise a PMHNP for certain reimbursement. Unfortunately, a PMHNP cannot replace a psychiatrist. That being said, I know 2 PMHNPs who make six figures but they did not make this until they had over 5 years of experience. Their job also requires massive on-call. These same NPs had a good relationship with a psychiatrist who helped advocate for their salary. The average salary for a PMHNP is $95,000 a year and this includes locum rates. Yes, some make higher but most make lower and this average comes from jobs that do not include benefits. Locum rates are good for Psych NP, but I still have children at home and cannot be bounced around. I plan on returning for my DNP/FNP and I wish that I had gone the FNP route in the first place. A FNP can fit themselves into many roles. Some states still allow FNP to replace PMHNP. I had several FNPs tell me this but I did not listen to them. Reimbursement by Medicaid/Medicare is generally no higher for FNP versus PMHNP. FNP can see more patients a day than PMHNP, and bring a practice more money. Many people will never seek mental health treatment, but all people will have to see a medical provider. Some of the best places for FNP are pain management and dermatology. FNPs in these areas do make six figures. I love psych, and if you really want to be a PMHNP I do not want to discourage. If you go FNP you could always go back for PMHNP and be very marketable. I do believe everyone that is considering this area of specialization needs to have a realistic view of what the job market is like. Severe oversaturation has occurred in my area. The wild rumor of riches as a PMHNP are not true. If you are willing to relocate, you probably will find a job. Schools also want to promote their programs, most are not honest concerning the job market or salary. Please be aware that searches on indeed also include locum and recruiters where a job may not exist or an employer may have hired several recruiters to market for the same job. I am a graduate of a great school with an excellent reputation and network. I had to take loans because I was not in a financial position to do otherwise. I have 15 years of psychiatric nursing experience, and my hourly wage as a RN was high. I had to go PRN during school, and my PRN rate was even higher. After my loan payment, I make no more money that I did as a staff RN. This was a severe let down after all of the hard work I put in to get my MSN.

i will have to say that chamberlain has really been a disappointment. i went with this school based on the reviews here. i have had a great experience until now, and i am very close to graduation. things have changed in the program since i have started. i was making very good grades, really applying myself, and enjoying all of my classes. this last semester has been a nightmare(and no i'm not talking about the math classes-got an a in both of those). i've been posting over 4 posts per each thread, all with outside sources, interacting with my classmates and instructors, and still losing a ton of points. my papers have been crucified as well. student services is not doing anything to remediate this. it's like they know that i'm this far in ( 2 classes from graduation) and won't pull out now. plus, i'm in a heap of debt because this school is so expensive. i obtained a 3.97 gpa in my adn class, which has been within the last 5 years. if you are starting at this school, run! it is not worth the high tuition to be crapped on. others that have recently started the program have said the same thing. i don't know what has changed, but the grading is different now.

I totally agree. This mess about being customer service oriented is crazy. I treated every patient with respect and give them the best medical care I can provide. You cannot make everyone happy 100% of the time. Most companies have gone to "have it your way" instead of focusing on accurate care. A great nurse just lost her job where I work due to a patient complaint that was a total lie.

A good company will pull their field staff from the roads when driving conditions become hazardous-and hazardous means different things at times for different parts of the country. For example, a flood out west or 1 inch of snow in places that only receive this type of weather a few times per year. Those that don't are only concerned about the profit, and obviously have never faced litigation from employees whom they demand be out in unsafe driveways, back-roads, etc. Reporting for work and staying at one place until the shift is over is one thing-being forced to drive all day 6-8hours on unknown roads is another.

I received on of these letters as well.....also from a small town

You must have 2 years of acute psychiatric nursing experience and be approved by Palmetto per Medicare guidelines to do psychiatric home health nursing. Your agency would be out of compliance with Medicare otherwise. Other nurses are not allowed to make visits unless it's for a medical reason or he/she is also a psychiatric nurse approved by Palmetto. We had a psych program at my former HH agency. It was very hard for the agency to get approval for psychiatric nurses from Palmetto. Our psych nurses had many years of psych experience and still found the job a challenge. The agency had so many referrals for the program that they were constantly trying to find nurses with the proper credentials. I would see the psych patients on occasion for medical needs and all I could think was how much patience the psych nurses must have. Many patients were highly demanding, hard to schedule appointments with, caused frequent missed visits, and very non-compliant. For example, patients with CHF would stop taking their Lasix because they " just don't want to be on medication anymore."