anichka

My partner is not an RN.

My partner just got invited for PMHNP (I am a recent MSN-APNI graduate and working on my DNP).

Have any PMHNP applicants been notified yet? I did not see any on this thread.

Stuff like that happens in the military. They need a nurse, they find a nurse. It's the "needs of the [Navy, Army, etc]". I see that sort of thing frustrate healthcare professionals, maybe more than your run-of-the-mill joe (although, as a linguist, my peers were pretty irritated too when they ended up doing stuff other than what they trained for). That said, I have had incredible experiences in the military, and I don't regret joining. I just caution that people be realistic about expectations, especially people who come in with a high level of expertise. The military can be a frustrating environment when it comes to professional fulfillment - it's not like a normal job where you can reasonably expect to know what type of setting you will work in, or how you be employed. If you keep an open mind, though, and a positive attitude, it can take you amazing places (literally and figuratively).

I would be very curious to hear your experience once in the service. I am in the reserve but not as a nurse. I thought about doing a transfer - I may still - once I finish my current commitment, but I will see how options look when I am eligible to do that (still a couple years away). I am currently an NP student, but I have been in/around the military in some capacity for 23 years. When I deployed last summer, I met someone who was actually trained by the Navy to be a PHMNP. I was surprised to find he was not, however, working as an NP - but as a floor RN. This struck me as so odd, that the Navy would spend so much time & money training someone, yet not use them that way. But it happens all the time (ha, actually, I was trained as a linguist by the Army and many times language training goes out the window when you spend more time in motor pool). Anyway, I also took the opportunity on deployment to talk with a couple NPs, one O6 and one O5 about their jobs (one Navy reservist and the other an active Army officer). They function as managers in the military. They do not function as practitioners. This interests me NONE. I can do my current military job and be a manager. But then when I de-mobbed, the person who gave me my exam was an AGNP - and she sees people every day, loves it, got promoted unexpectedly early (think she was an O5 if I recall correctly), and that made me think again. This is a lot of anecdotal stuff, and in sum I've only ever met one PMHNP in the military. For myself, I would want to know that I can see people. I am not changing careers to be a manager. But those are my goals. Just make sure you go in with expectations that you may not be seeing patients all the time, you may have more paperwork and other "stuff" you have to deal with. It seems like sometimes people in healthcare don't realize that you have to make the side of your commitment to the military - whatever branch you are in - important, too. You're not going to just go in an be an NP; you're also a soldier, sailor, airman, marine - first and foremost.

& as far as experience, it's probably 50-50 with people who have any direct patient care (CNA, EMT, phlebotomist, etc.).

I am in the program now. We have people with all sorts of backgrounds, from doctors (yes, really, someone who got a medical degree in another country and I think maybe one ND), pre-med, psych, to LAS backgrounds like myself (English lit, music anthropology, classics, theater).

Link to St Joe's contract. They are all pretty comparable around here, from what I have found: St. Joseph Medical Center – Tacoma - Washington State Nurses Association

You can find out about specific hourly rates through the union websites. Two big ones are WSNA and SEIC. In this region, I don't think it's too hard to find a job. I am pretty much a new grad and found exactly what I wanted within a matter of weeks of applying. If you are looking more towards Seattle, things get a lot more competitive. I have even heard of new grads in Seattle starting in Tacoma because there are more opportunities there. At your level, I doubt it would be too hard. The major hospitals to look at for job listings are St Pete's in Olympia (Providence), Multicare in Tacoma (several hospitals, including Tacoma General), and the Franciscan network (St Joe's in Tacoma, and I think St Clare's is the one in Lakewood). There's also Western State (psych hospital) in Lakewood, if you're interested in psych. There are smaller places too, like Capital Medical Center in Olympia.

I am an NP student now in WA state. From one of my recent classes, people tend to be rather tight-lipped about salaries here, but I would guess in the 80-90K range for a new grad. This is a fantastic state to live in if you're interested in residencies. I would apply now if you're looking at getting into one later in the year. Places you might want to look for jobs, aside form the hospitals and USAJOBs, are Sea Mar and Valley View, in Thurston or Pierce counties.

I should add that I am in the 2nd year right now so I can't answer any post-grad questions!

For the PMHNP track, many people do work during the 2nd & 3rd year. 1st year everyone is just getting by. The school recommends no more than 24 hours/week. Out of the 12 or so students currently in 2nd year PMHNP of APNI, I think exactly half are working, and a few more will probably be getting jobs in the next few months. As for the other tracks, I think that FNP/AGNP are too busy with school to work. Not sure about the CMN. I know a few Public Health track folks are working part-time, too.

What is meant by "reserve corps"? If that term means simply the reserve, you're likely to deploy in any of the services as you are going active duty. If you're not willing to deploy, don't join. Period. You would be letting down your fellow service members if you are not. Find another way to pay for school.

Thanks for asking this - I will be looking for a job this fall. I am planning to apply all around the sound (as far south as Centralia and north to Tacoma and Shelton, west to Aberdeen). I will not be an ADN but rather midway through an entry-level MSN program. I'd really like to find something in an ED or behavioral health, so I will apply to those positions first and then broaden my search as time goes on.

Seattle U offers one on the west coast - the APNI program.