Psychaprn

Psychaprn's Latest Activity

1. 

   Have any NPs considered med school?

   Psychaprn replied to HealthyRN's topic in NP

   And I hope the same someday becomes true for nursing to further legitamize that we are not cheaper Doctors or their assistants etc-No shortcuts to being an NP! I don't think we have to have PH.d's though-lawyers and Doctors don't!
2. 

   Is the specialization of NP training.....

   Psychaprn replied to ag01medic's topic in NP

   Sorry but there is just so much to learn I think NP's should specialize. If you'd rather be a PA-go for it but I don't think their philosophy of treatment is the same as NP's . There's no turf issues for me-there are plenty of patients around.
3. 

   Need a mentor

   Psychaprn replied to reesern63's topic in NP

   What specifically are you interested in? You won't be clogging the board-probablly there are others interested. Sorry no one's answered you-maybe if you were more specific or didn't ask for e-mails. Good Luck!
4. 

   Mother needing support-daughter bipolar

   Psychaprn replied to bookwormom's topic in Psychiatric

   Also check out NAMI-the National assoc. for the mentally ill. They provide support, info and groups for people who care for the mentally ill. Some states have sub-groups, i.e. Ct. has CAMI-good luck! Al-Anon might also be helpful.
5. 

   Mother needing support-daughter bipolar

   Psychaprn replied to bookwormom's topic in Psychiatric

   Also check out NAMI-the National assoc. for the mentally ill. They provide support, info and groups for people who care for the mentally ill. Some states have sub-groups, i.e. Ct. has CAMI-good luck! Al-Anon might also be helpful.
6. 

   when they know the reason for weight gain

   Psychaprn replied to healthinfomgrmp's topic in Psychiatric

   Overeater's Anonymous is a great 12 step group that addresses the physical, emotional and spiriual issues related to weight and food issues.
7. 

   Role Transition Objectives

   Psychaprn replied to soontobrn's topic in Psychiatric

   Building empathy, establishing trust and learning to communicate 1:1 are good objectives-good luck!
8. 

   MSN in Psych Nursing or MA in Psych?

   Psychaprn replied to lc3's topic in Psychiatric

   What on earth is an AA in nursing? AA is Alcoholics Anonmymous!
9. 

   Becoming an NP with little to no nursing experience??

   Psychaprn replied to Blurr156's topic in NP Students

   How can you be an advanced practice nurse without first working as a nurse? Illogical!
10. 

    FNP AND NPP-can they do psych rx

    Psychaprn replied to spaniel's topic in NP

    ITA-I totally agree.:)
11. 

    How many years does it take?

    Psychaprn replied to 12breakfree's topic in NP

    My advice-work as a nurse in your specialty area for a few years-save your money-then go get your Masters and APRN--2-3 years. The experience of working is invaluable and you'll validate your desire to go on and have some money to boot! The fastest way isn't always the best way.
12. 

    FNP AND NPP-can they do psych rx

    Psychaprn replied to spaniel's topic in NP

    ITA with all of you-stay in your scope of practice for the patient's safety and your own!
13. 

    Doctor or Nurse Practitioner??

    Psychaprn replied to curlysin's topic in NP

    There's a world of difference between how NP's practice(if they stay true to their nursing roots). We practice wholistically, we use systems theory, we LISTEN to patients and families. Nurses treat the whole patient on primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Drs. treat diseases. They limit their treatment to the disease or diseased part of a patient. They only specialize. I've heard doctors tell patients because they haven't seen it or read about, it they couldn't be having aan unusaual side effect from a med. I can't tell you the times I have picked up medical problems and treated them when the patient just saw an MD. They saw a cardiologist so he didn't notice the signs of hypothyroidism or treat it for example. I've had my patients go to the ER for acute abdominal pain and be sent home with Ativan because they were "Psych. pts."-later they had ruptured appendixes or gall bladder inflammation! I have learned alot about medicine from doctors but more about treating people from nurses and NP's. I feel sad for any nurse who can't see the differences.
14. 

    Doctor or Nurse Practitioner??

    Psychaprn replied to curlysin's topic in NP

    Do you want to practice as a nurse with nursing philosophy of treatment or practice medicine?-that's what you need to decide first.
15. 

    Psych Np's-talk To Me!

    Psychaprn replied to wendytros's topic in NP

    Hi and welcome! We can always use more Psych. NP's. As for pay and availability of jobs it depends on your experience, location, size of practice etc. Personally, I love working in a group private practice. I do psychotherapy and meds. You can consult in Nursing Homes, work for an insurance company, work in a clinic etc. Here in Ct. the pay range is about 55,000-80,000-full time.
16. 

    Becoming an NP with little to no nursing experience??

    Psychaprn replied to Blurr156's topic in NP Students

    Congratulations Morgan! As an old timer, I have no objection to the shortening in time of your academic path-rather I worry about your clinical experience. How much of your schooling is spent actually working with patients? How much is spent working with pts. in your specialty area? You cannot replace practical nursing/clinical experience with book learning!! I also don't think you can become an advanced practice nurse(NP) without first BEING a nurse(RN with work experience.) There are many nuances of both pt. care and workng with others as a nurse that can't be taught-they have to be experienced. I just worry that NP's who start practicing without solid clinical experience will be thrown to the wolves! I shudder when I remember a BSN studuent from another school that I precepted. She was graduating in year and didn't know how to take blodd pressures!! All your employer will care about is your credentials-you won't get any longer precepting/mentorship and orientation than a seasoned RN who become an NP. Be careful of what your school promises-remember-they're out to make money. If I were you I'd work at least part-time while you're in school as a nurse's aide or student nurse in the area you want to specialize in. I am sincere about my concern for you and am not resentful you didn't have to go the long way but consider this-I had four years of BSN education which was 8 semesters of clinical work and academics-including the last year being in my specialty. I worked inpt. for 5 years and had a 2 year clinical practicuum, including a thesis for my master's. I worked inpt. and out. settings while in school with various age groups. To be perfectly honest-90% of my learning came from working not school! I also had to cope with nurses older than me who resented that I had a BSN rather than years of working behind me. I then studied to be an APRN while working and honing my prescribing skills. I think short cuts are fine as long as they don't make someone "short" on experience, comfort or competency! I admire anyone seeking to increase their education, I just want you to be aware of some of the pitfalls-please keep us posted on how you're doing.