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Discussion

Psych plus GI

Hello,

I worked as a trauma therapist with my MSW for 2.5 years, then moved to a job as a GI research coordinator for industry trials, where I will have 2.5 years experience by the time I get into any program. I have found that there is remarkable overlap between psych and GI issues and I would like to focus both my practice and future research on that overlap. What would be the best way to fill that niche? I currently have an LCSW and end goal would be to obtain a position working as a mid-level provider in a hospital with ~80% clinical and ~20% research focus. I would be quite happy to work in either psych or GI if I can't find an overlapping job right away.

My plan had been to obtain a second degree in psychiatric nursing (through a direct entry MSN program akin to U Penn or Columbia's program), but I am realizing that I might be better off improving my GI credentials instead of my psych credentials- perhaps aiming for a PA or FNP. I have completed just about all of the needed prereqs for psych nursing and had planned to apply this coming October. Any recommendations or guidance you guys can offer? Thanks in advance!

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    I'm guessing you aren't in the USA because there isn't a psychiatric nurse degree that I know of. If you want to prescribe go for NP or PA if you want research perhaps PhD? The main although anecdotal link I have found between psych and GI is cluster B stuff. Are you finding other connections?

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    • Experts
    I'm guessing you aren't in the USA because there isn't a psychiatric nurse degree that I know of. If you want to prescribe go for NP or PA if you want research perhaps PhD? The main although anecdotal link I have found between psych and GI is cluster B stuff. Are you finding other connections?

    I believe the OP is talking about a direct-entry PMHNP program.

    OP, since you already have respectable psych credentials (the LCSW and your experience), I think you might be right to think about pursuing further education in the medical side of things; as you noted, one of the NP specialties (FNP or ACNP) or PA (which is entirely outside of nursing).

    I agree there is a lot of overlap between GI and psych. I work in psychiatric consultation-liaison in a large academic medical center, and we see lots of clients who are admitted medically for a variety of GI issues (inc. complications/sequelae of gastric bypass procedures and cyclic vomiting syndrome) who also have a lot of psych issues. In my community, there is an outpatient GI specialty center that has its own in-house psych people because they have so many dual-diagnosis (GI plus psych) clients.

    Best wishes!

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    • Author

    Thanks for the fast replies! Yes, I was indeed talking about the PMHNP. Would there be any particular benefit to FNP vs ACNP or PA? The fact that the PA functions based on the medical model might be useful for improving the medical credential, though generally I prefer a more holistic approach like that which social work highly endorses (bio-psycho-social-spiritual FTW) and nursing also appears to endorse.

    My primary experience has been in anxiety disorders (particularly sexual abuse trauma) and control-based disorders such as OCD and eating disorders. All of these have a strong correlation with GI issues, but the GI practitioners I have worked with don't feel well-equipped to deal with the more significant psych issues and psych practitioners have an equally difficult time managing GI symptoms.

    As far as the research, my main plan would be to join studies being managed by physicians as a sub-investigator as I have seen several of the PAs and NPs do around here. Eventually I might like to take a more primary role, but for now I like to keep in touch with the new ideas in the field and help the progress. A PhD might eventually make sense, but not until I have a much deeper understanding of the field.

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    This is an interesting topic and I agree that we will see an increase of interest in understanding more about the link between Psychiatric and Gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, there has been an increase of interest in research focused on Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Gastrointestinal involvement. Below is a link to an interesting article.

    Pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders: Revisiting gastrointestinal involvement and immune imbalance

    Pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders: Revisiting gastrointestinal involvement and immune imbalance

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