mojopsych

Hi all, I'm a PMHNP and I did not have psych experience prior to becoming an NP, but that was only because I got a great offer to work as a CVICU RN instead. I've always had a love for psych but I was actually scared of it initially after my nursing school psych clinicals. Before I started my NP program I shadowed a Psych NP and loved it!! I graduated undergrad and grad school with a 4.0 and acclimated into my current role easily with no prior psych experience. I did, however, try to get as much clinical experience as possible. I opted for all of the "hard" clinical sites, like psych ERs, rehab facilities, MHMRs, etc. and I did not just sit back and watch!! I participated and tried to do as much as I could on my own and I never hesitated to ask questions or admit when I didn't know something. I'm writing all of this to say that I don't feel that psych experience is needed to be a good Psych NP but one should truly want to make a difference in the field. I love my patients and I don't think that anyone who doesn't really want to help those with psychiatric disorders would do well at this job. I have good days and bad days but I never leave work wanting to do anything else but this. I actually look forward to going to work (most days)!! I work 4-10 hour weekdays in a private practice seeing children, adolescents, and adults and do hospital rounds every 6th weekend. I'm in Texas and I believe that the pay typically starts in the high $90's but could easily be six figures for a new grad with good clinical experience, research experience, and good grades. Anyway, I'm not sure if I answered the OP's initial questions but I hope that I have. I guess I'll have to sit back and await punishment for the Psych NP Illuminati!! BTW, I am willing to answer anyone's questions but I'm usually pretty busy so it might take a while.

Congrats!!! It's a great feeling!!!:yeah:

Thanks everyone!! It is a great feeling and I already have a job!!!! I'm so excited!:yeah:

Just passed the ANCC Family PMHNP exam!!!!! I'm officially a psych NP!!!!

Actually there is a need in Houston and Dallas. Most of the positions aren't posted and you find out about them through networking. I just graduated this month and I already have a position waiting. I interviewed and was offered 4 positions in Houston and have had about 6 interviews so far in Dallas. I turned down at least other practices that offered an interview. The market is really good you just have to research and network really well. Good luck!!

I am currently entering my final semester of a PMHNP program and I have worked fulltime and gone to school fulltime throughout the program. I am a single parent with two kids that are now 9 and 7 years of age. I started my program in Fall 2009 and will be done this August. I currently work overnight 7p-7a but I did work 7a-7p for the first year of my program. It has been tough but it is possible. I am going to go down to part-time or not work at all for the summer semester, which is my 360 hour practicum. Anyway, good luck with whatever decision you make.

Has anyone ever heard of the Golden Key Honor Society?? I got a letter inviting me for membership but I'm not sure if it's a reputable honor society. Any info would be appreciated. Monique

I start nursing school in August and I had to get a number of immunizations and tests done to complete my health form. On Friday, I got the MMR, Polio, and Hep B vaccinations. I also had the TB skin test done. I have to go and get the test read tomorrow, but I am curious to know what a positive test looks like. The spot that was injected was itching and I scratched and now it's a small red circle on my arm. It's not a lump or anything, just a red spot where I scratched it. Is this considered positive?? What does it have to look like to be considered positive?? I'm freaking out because I don't have any other symptoms but I would hate to have to pay for an x-ray because of a false positive. The nurse who gave me the vaccinations mentioned something about the other vaccinations interfering with the TB test. Is this true??