Psych nursing certification exam

a21chdchic · Apr 16, 2008

I haven't sat for any cert exams in psych, but was wondering: Do you know of any nursing journals, or a source to find them that address specifically psychiatric nursing, current trends in treatments, new medications, etc., for one who is interested in psych? I know it's 'a little' off subject, but wasn't sure if I could start a new thread for that or not.

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

yuyu75 · Apr 17, 2008

I am sorry I can't really answer your question, because i am a pre-nursing student, BUT i am interested in psych nursing/substance abuse nursing/behaviour health nursing. Now, do I need a Bachelors of Nursing to get into this field? I am only going for my Associates because i am 33 years old, married and am a stay at home mom of 2 children, so one step at a time for me. This area really interests me and was wondering if i would be able to work in it with only an associates. thank you!

Katnip, RN · Apr 17, 2008

APNA has a peer reviewed journal: http://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

There is also the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing which sounds more like what you are looking for: http://www.jpnonline.com/

showbizrn · Apr 20, 2008

Hi all,
I'm going to be taking the board certification exam for psychiatric/mental Health Nursing in about 3 months. Has anyone taken this or other board certification exams? Any information you could provide me with would be much appreciated (even if you haven't taken an exam but have knowledge about it). Thanks

****************************************************

:yeah:

WELCOME, DEEMIDEEM, TO PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING!!!

www.nursecredentialing.org

for info and sample questions.

Find a good review book with questions, answers and rationales specifically for PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING CERTIFICATION EXAM REVIEW

and make a commitment to review a specific # of questions per day (i.e., 20 questions/day).

If you find a review course (on-line or classroom)---Take the course.

Trust me.

It can make a difference.

I passed the exam THE FIRST TIME with only 2-years experience in Psych Nursing.

MUCH SUCCESS TO YOU!!! :up:

DontDoThat · Apr 25, 2008

I'm planning to do this as well. Does anyone out there have this certification? Was it worth it? Where I work it only gives you a 2% increase in pay, so most don't bother. Do potential employers value it? Is it difficult to maintain?

batgirl23 · Apr 25, 2008

I'm not sure how it is in the US but I first wrote my certification exam in '96 here in Canada. You need 2 years experience in the specialty and it is a national certificate. We don't get any extra pay but it is a preferred qualification for all nursing positions in my facility (a tertiary care mental health centre) and required for most outpatient or educator positions. About 75% of our full-time staff hold the credential. We have to re-cert every 5 years. You do this in one of 2 ways: either re-write the exam or submit proof of 100 professional development hours over the previous 5 years. This is really not hard to do - you can attend lectures, workshops, conferences, courses, etc. Or you can get credit for precepting students, teaching a course/ workshop or doing research. As I said, we don't get any extra pay but our hospital pays the costs to write the exam (if you pass) and the re-cert costs.

Our local Mental Health Nurse Interest Group has organized a Review Course in the past to help nurses prep for the exam - nurses from our area who have expertise in particular aspects of PMHN presented on 2 Saturdays about a month before the exam. For example, I did pieces on suicide, loss & grieving, and the therapeutic relationship/ boundaries. I know in other areas, nurse do get together for study groups to help each other prepare as well. Reviewing a current PMHN textbook may help as well.

I think it's worth it - I have worked very hard to become an expert in my chosen profession and to keep current and (I'm human,lol) I like having the credential to show for it.

mixyplixy · Apr 29, 2008

I was going to take the cert exam but ...why? I wouldnt get paid more and no one seems to care, its epensive nd dificult...so why?

showbizrn · Apr 30, 2008

I'm planning to do this as well. Does anyone out there have this certification? Was it worth it? Where I work it only gives you a 2% increase in pay, so most don't bother. Do potential employers value it? Is it difficult to maintain?

************************************************

:nurse:

I've been certified in Psych/Mental Health Nursing almost 20 years and I say, DO IT!

The certification shows future employers that you took that EXTRA STEP to validate your specialty in nursing practice and it increases your marketability.

Maintenance?

You're required to have attained 150 contact hours of continuing ed contact hours (on-line, classroom, etc) EVERY 5-YEARS

OR

1. You can recertify by attending college courses,

OR

2. You can perform in-service presentations on a topic of your choice or based on the learning needs of your colleagues (be sure to save your attendance sheets, flyers, brochures) in your facility,

OR

3. You can perform community presentations re: healthcare issues at churches, community centers etc., (again, be sure to save your attendance sheets, flyers, brochures)

Check the website for other ways to re-certify and more details.

My co-workers and I figured it out---if you attain 30 contact hours a year for 5-years, you've got your 150 contact hours needed to recertify.

MUCH SUCCESS TO YOU!

:yeah:

sarahrn1 · Jul 20, 2010

I agree with batgirl.

Following graduation in 1985 from an ADN program, I was hired at Stony Brook University Hospital and assigned to the inpatient psychiatric unit. I was encouraged by the administration to seek certification. I did and passed. I received an increase in pay. After 6 years of nursing at Stony Brook, my family moved to Florida. I was able to get a job quickly. I let my certification expire as it didn't seem important here in Florida, and I didn't want to pay the $300. The other nurses didn't consider it worth the cost either.

Fast forward to this 2009. It is now expected that all nurses have or seek ANCC certification to work at our hospital. We are not reimbursed for the exam; however, the hospital gives a nice bonus check each year for those who have passed and maintained certification. In our hospital, the certification diplomas are posted on the unit for physicians, nurses, management and families to view.

I regret not renewing my certification and will now prepare for the exam.