Psych Nursing and Psychotherapy Practice

[littlebitt]

Hello all. My question concerns Psych Nursing and Psychotherapy or forensic social work to be exact. I need to know if I can go from an RN to going back to college to be able to do the work as a forensic social worker or give psychotherapy treatment. One could continue their RN degree, but if you are going to give psychotherapy treatment, wouldnt it be better to go towards Social Work? What certifications might i be able to obtain to be able to do this type of work? I know this is confusing but thanks for all replies!! :roll

[sanakruz, ADN]

littlebitt- licensing requirements vary from state to state.

If you have a 4 year degree I'm guessing that you will be required to take classes toward a masters in sw, which in calif is the minimum required for a person to do "therapy", mostly casemanagement really. Now I believe this is what would be required of a counselor in a prison setting.

You can certainly work as an RN in a prison here in CA, Form my own observations alot of "therapy' is done by teses nurses.

In CA to call oneself a Therapist you must be a "licensed practioner of the healing arts" via the board of behavioral sciences. http;//www.bbs.ca.gov

[elkpark]

Hi -- I'm surprised no one else has mentioned the psych CNS or psych NP route in response to your original question. There are numerous universities that offer the MSN with a specialization in psychiatric nursing and prepare you for an advanced practice role and certification. Psych CNSs and psych NPs are prepared and qualified to be psychotherapists (although how independently you can practice varies from state to state). Psych NPs also have prescriptive authority (with supervision), the same as other NPs. CNSs have prescriptive authority in many states these days, but not all. In my state, most psych CNSs are psychotherapists in outpatient private practices, although there are also many different options in inpatient settings. The psych NP role is newer, and I don't have as much information about them, but the ones I have run across have been working on inpatient psych units in physician extender roles. The MSN in nursing prepares/qualifies you for a wide variety of clinical, administrative, and teaching roles. Also, masters-prepared nurses generally get paid quite a bit better than social workers.

I am a child psych CNS who has worked as a child/adolescent/family psychotherapist in acute inpatient programs, residential (long-term) programs, outpatient clinics, and has taught nursing, in three different states.

I'm sure there are other threads on this website that can give you more information about this, or you can pm me if you want to.