Psych NP

Hi all!

I am currently living in east Tennessee and am about to apply for a psychiatric mental health np program. I am looking for a little bit of input from others who have been in my shoes. For instance any advice to a new mental health student? I have about 4 years nursing experience but no mental health experience. Is that going to be a huge obstacle for me? What do you wish you had known when you started? And what is your job satisfaction level? Any information is welcomed.

Just be motivated. Get the little handbooks psych residents use and keep them handy. I have Stahl's psychpharm on my iPad. The review books for psych boards are good reference books. What I did was when I saw an elderly patient, for example, I'd review everything, including physical causes, substance abuse, depression, bereavement, pseudodementia, etc, that might be causing confusion, as well as all the meds they were on. Your experience will come in handy when you have to be familiar with all the medical problems and meds, and how your psych drugs will interact. I rarely see any psych patient who doesn't have medical problems as well. I have a lot of fun and never get bored. And use as few drugs as possible.

Zenman..can you tell me which little books do you use--the ones the residents use to prepare for the boards. I did a search and found some interesting sites. that address helping residents going into psychiatry and/or prepare for psychiatric boards.

( I use Stahl prescriber guide, Clinical streategies, Nursing 2012, and a mental status book. all helpful and there are always more perspectives. Also I love the Carlat Report.)

to the OP. I suggest also learning about therapy.

One of the main ones is at work. I'll get the title when I go back Wednesday.

1. Mass./McLean Hospital Residency Handbook of Psychiatry

2. Case Files in Psychiatry

3. Deja Review Psychiatry

4. Psychopharmacology Demystified

5. First Aid for the Psychiatry Clerkship

Zenman, where did you earn your degree? I really don't want to go the DNP route. Thanks for any advice.

Northwestern State University - Psych CNS

Rush University - Psych NP

Rush is now only DNP

So you're both a psych CNS and NP? That's interesting. What made you go back and get the Psych NP on top of the CNS degree? Did you find serious differences in the training?

I'm just an NP now. Got NP for prescribing and actually more "refresher" training. CNS was obtained in 1983. NP was more intense.

You'll be limited until 3-5 yrs of experience. You can make big bucks at Saudi Aramco. Otherwise US Embassies or peace corp or maybe private companies.

You can also consider civilian positions on military bases.