dgmrph

Harmonizer - Are you saying enter as an NP, or as is possible now, as a PA? Some schools would require me to redo A&P as I have been out of school too long for their matriculation requirements. So the year possibly saved as a PA otherwise is now taken up (mostly) with pre-req work. Then, what determines the advantage comes down merely to 1)independence factor, and 2) salary (about 10% difference from what I've read over last couple days). For me, neither are strong to lean me one way or the other (eg. its a toss-up of a decision!)....The ultimate key will be choosing the RIGHT school!

As the poster of this thread, I would love to get in touch with you (Abraham) and compare notes on your thoughts, experiences, and concerns. I am quite concerned about having to do the 12 month accelerated RN (first) program (with repeat prereqs) knowing what the goal really is....

I am a 50 year-old male pharmacist (PharmD). I completed a BS in Biological Sciences from UC Davis in 1987. When I graduated in 1991 (from University of Southern California), the demand for pharmacists was very high due to a shortage; for that reason, I did not complete a pharmacy residency program. Over the next 13 years, I went to work in traditional areas of pharmacy. I consider myself a forward thinker and innovator, seeking to make new trails and follow my dreams. In 2003, the only way I saw this vision possible was to start my own pharmacy. Granted, I made this decision not knowing about the future existence of Medicare Part D (drug benefit). I had the pharmacy for 10 years; it had to close due to personal health and financial business reasons. Unfortunately, part of these personal health issues resulted from working 60+ hours a week both practicing pharmacy and keeping the business afloat; thus, it interfered with my competent practice of pharmacy and thus led to its closing in November 2013. The board of pharmacy had to step in and take action. Soon after, my therapy team and I realized the situation was the problem, and not anything inherently wrong with me. While going through my mental health treatment, I often thought about becoming a nurse practitioner if I could accomplish that without getting the RN degree first. I have always wanted to do more with my pharmacy degree since graduation, and only NOW (20 years later) has the need for increased scope of practice been recognized. With a surplus of pharmacists in the marketplace, the economical benefits (eg compensation) are diminishing. Yet, the current salary level of a PMHNP seems very comparable to PharmD. I am looking for something different that will give more gratification that I am helping people and using my clinical skills and knowledge for patients' benefit. I had first-hand experience with the serious shortage of mental health prescribers in my area. So in that vane, I am considering a career change to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I am interested in accelerated programs available online for 'second career track?' folks. What advice would you have for me? Soul-searching Pharmacist