crs1978

Hey guys and gals, I'm currently in the process of applying to various online-based PMHNP programs. I was recently accepted into Wilkes University to start in the Fall 2018. While this is great news, I have some questions and worries. As you probably realize, just about every PMHNP program out there is discussed pretty extensively on this website, and as a result, it's possible to get a good feel. I know for instance that UAB is a popular program to apply to, but there is some mixed reviews overall. I also know that UND seems to have a highly respected and thorough program that is cheaper than most. There seems to be some pretty good information on just about every PMHNP program out there, without exception, until you search for Wilkes. I have seen various attempts over the years of people asking about Wilkes, and typically there is either no response, or a response indicating that the person plans on attending the program next Fall (or something along those lines). However, there is zero follow-up with information about how the program is actually going. I have no idea how this is possible. This website is the yelp for nursing programs, and yet, we have no ratings, reviews or feedback. I hate to sound dramatic, but it seems like some crazy conspiracy. Anyway, can anybody who has attended this program, or knows somebody who has attended this program provide any feedback? I just want to know about their experience overall.

Just to address your last observation. There is no real accountability in providing a diagnosis in the world of psychiatry or mental health. That is why a mental health professional, whether a prescriber or therapist, can easily slap a bipolar disorder diagnosis on every-other-patient without any real consequences if they happen to be completely wrong. This is different than a diagnosis seen in the purely medical world. If a physician diagnoses a patient with iron deficiency anemia to account for decreased H&H, but the patient really suffers from an internal hemorrhage, it will eventually be accurately diagnosed and that provider may have to answer for his/her diagnoses and treatment.

Yeah, sorry, I think I used a poor choice of words there and can see why that comes across as a bit full of myself, at the very least. I think it would have been more accurate to say that my knowledge and experience in assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders is well beyond a psych RN (hopefully that is plain obvious), and probably on par with an average PMHNP. I can probably go on a limb and suggest that perhaps my assessment and diagnoses skills are beyond some PMHNPs, particularly those that new or with little experience, or those who don't really apply themselves to really learning the DSM. I think that is what I really meant, just tried to condense in a poorly worded sentence. I did not mean, however, that I possess all the knowledge and skills of a psych NP, particularly with medication management and tasks involved with patient care in an inpatient setting. I obviously am familiar with most of the psychotropic medications and what they are used for, but an experienced psych RN could probably school me in this area.

I know this topic has been covered before, however, I believe my situation is a bit unique and I wanted some feedback from PMHNPs if possible. Just to give a brief rundown of my background and situation. I have over 15 years experience working in mental health, as a case manager, therapist, completing crisis evaluations, and other types of mental health assessments full-time. I have a MA in counseling psychology and have obtained licensure as a therapist in two states. I decided a few years ago to change course in my career and become a psych NP, completing prerequisites and an accelerated BSN program in about 2 years, and getting an ED position as an RN last July. I'm already starting to apply to psych NP programs and am hopeful I will get accepted and start this Fall. My dilemma is this: I have recently been offered a job outside of nursing doing mental health evaluations, making nearly 2x as much as my RN position. It's a job I can take at any time if I want, so there is no rush to make a decision. If I get accepted into a PMHNP program, I technically no longer need the RN experience since getting accepted into grad school has been my main goal. My other option is sticking with my ED position and floating over to the behavioral health units at my hospital for some shifts. This would give me useful psych RN experience, obviously. In my heart, I definitely would love to be able to quit my RN position and take the mental health job since it is something I am much better at, comes more naturally to me at this point, and pays a lot more. My question is, does working as a psych RN really matter? I have far more knowledge about psychopathology than most psych RNs or even PMHNPs and have extensive experience working with psych patients, so I'm not sure what I could possibly gain. Not trying to sound arrogant. I do recognize that there are aspects of how a psychiatric unit is run that I do not know, but I figure I can catch-on to those things during a preceptorship. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Yeah, and a lot of this might just come down to performance anxiety for me. If I sense that I'm being watched with a critical eye, it tends to throw me off and I get nervous and shaky. I know that I need to get over that and adopt a more confident attitude, even when I'm around a person I perceive to be critical. I do realize that confidence comes from experience and a genuine recognition of self-ability, but for me at times, there seems to be a gap between what I can do and my confidence that I can do that particular task well. Meaning, I'm fully capable of doing these tasks with competence, but for whatever reason, self-doubt creeps in and it messes me up. I'm a licensed mental health therapist, and fully understand the faulty thinking that goes into that process, but have not fully conquered it myself yet.

Thanks, really good feedback. I do understand that the RN has a job and their priority should be patient care, not my general experience following them. I think my problem has been, at least with two of the RNs I've followed, is that they seem to be pretty set on trying to instruct (which is a good thing), but for whatever reason, the approach ends up getting me anxious and flustered, which in turn impacts my performance. I understand the counterpoint to that would be, if I can't handle the pressure of a supervising nurse putting me on the spot, how would handle the pressure of patient care when I'm an RN? I'm willing to take responsibility for that, and maybe accept the possibility that I may need to work as an RN in a different setting. Or maybe I should not be an RN period, who knows? To answer the question about practicing in skills lab and experience with subQ injections . . . I'm not sure if our program is the same as others, but basically, it is a 3 semester accelerated program, so we spent the summer semester doing about 6 weeks of skills lab, learning all the basic nursing skills, then we spent 3 weeks in a skilled nursing l facility where we were able to do a lot of the skills on actual patients. In reality, most of the skills, I got a chance to practice 1 or 2x total before trying on an actual patient. I have probably completed SubQ injections 10 or more times on actual patients. That is more than enough time to understand how to do it the right way. Probably one of my struggles is that I'm not very gifted used my hands or doing anything that requires fine motor skills. I'm just a bit awkward and clunky, and for most anything, I have to actually practice in a real setting a hundred times before I feel comfortable.

Hey guys, Just wanted to vent some concerns and observations about my first experience in clinicals. I'm currently in an accelerated post bacc and am set to graduate in May 2017. We completed our psych clinicals and did some skills lab and a briefly went to a skilled nursing facility during the summer, but this is our first time doing clinicals on an actual hospital unit doing med surg stuff. Anyway, I'm getting pretty overwhelmed by the idea of ever being an RN in the hospital. I just lack intuition, and I get too flustered at times. Each week I'm on a new hospital unit following a new nurse, and thus far, my results have been a bit mixed. With some of the nurses, I'm put on the spot constantly, and have been somewhat humiliated when providing care for patients on a few occasions. One of the nurses was quizzing me constantly while I was trying to concentrate on scanning medications, and then when I went to administer a heparin shot, he did not like the location I picked on the abdomen or way I was pinching the skin, and abruptly suggested that I start over. He kept telling me to relax and calm down, which got me even more anxious. I got so flustered that I nearly pricked the patient with the needle when re-wiping with an alcohol pad, and he yelled at me. Anyway, I think the problem I'm having, besides getting too anxious when provided feedback, is each RN I follow seems to have their own ways of doing skills and tasks, so it's like each week I have to figure out a new style, and then deal with feedback on how I'm doing it wrong, even though I am just following what I was taught previously. I also hate being put on the spot and quizzed in front of patients. Some of my RN's have been really awesome and not done this at all, but some have the style I do not like. I'm really not sure how to handle these situations. I'm actually starting to think that I need to be more confident and assertive, and make it clear what my goals are and what type of teaching I prefer.

I'm on my 8th week of an accelerated BSN program. By background is, I have a MA in counseling psychology and am a licensed mental health therapist in 2 different states. My goal is to eventually become a psychiatric NP. Anyway, the BSN program starts with psychiatric and mental health nursing course and lab the first semester, and I figured that would be an easy class while I adjust to nursing school, and focus on subject matter I'm less familiar with. So far, I'm doing well in all classes, but the psychiatric nursing class is by far the most frustrating. I do not know how to really explain it, but I frequently find myself getting thrown off by the NCLEX style questions that seem kinda ridiculous when applied to mental health. I often I find that the available answers are inadequate, or several of the responses are equally correct. The priority questions for mental health -- outside of assessing and dealing with DTO/DTS -- are usually irrelevant in the real world and many approaches can be taken. Perhaps, my experience is actually hindering my success to some degree. I'm not sure. Does anybody have an pointers on approaching psych questions on the NCLEX or Hesi?

Well, looks like I'm in. Got the call last week, had a near fiasco, but got confirmation I will be in the program this summer.

Looks like contracts have been signed, and I'm currently the #2 alternate. It's kind of a tough situation that puts me in no-man's-land for now. Keeping my fingers crossed that if spots are gonna open up, it happens sooner than later.

I got an email too that I'm on an alternative list. I'm pretty excited, and now the waiting game begins.

Talked to one of the admissions advisors yesterday and was informed that selections are being finalized, and we should expect letters by mid next week.

One of the advisors told me 4 to 6 weeks from the deadline. I bet some of the applicants will be notified by next week. Those on the cusp or potentially on the wait list will probably be waiting 2 more weeks or so. Just my guess.

Hey Altius, thanks for starting this thread. I also applied for the Summer 2016 program, and am awaiting anxiously for the good or bad news. I just took the Kaplan about a week before the deadline, and did exactly what I hoped for, but after reviewing past threads, it looks like my score of 86 will just barely be competitive enough. I did so well on the Reading and Math sections (missing 2 questions total between the two), but then struggled with the Writing portion. The A&P was a bit of a crap shoot I felt, since there are thousands of potential questions, so I feel fortunate to get a so-so score. I contacted an advisor last year, and was informed that typical student who are accepted have a 3.6 GPA and have a Kaplan above the mid 80's. I'm literally right at those thresholds, but perhaps it will not be good enough, based on some past threads I have read. Anyway, good luck to everyone!