Psychedelic Nursing

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Hi all,

I just want to start off by saying that this site has been such a wonderful resource for me since I started nursing school in 06. Since then I’ve worked in a variety of settings from clinical research, to coordinating kidney transplants, to telemetry. This is my first time posting.

I am currently incredibly interested in the re-emergence of psychedelic research and the potential of psychedelic assisted therapy and would like to know if any of you have experience with it. I know it’s still in a bit of a grey area because of all the legal restrictions. I follow MAPS and it seems like they are really making progress towards legalization of substances such as psilocybin and mdma for therapeutic purposes.

I would love to get involved in any way I can but haven’t had much luck in figuring out how to get started. I am considering applying for the next cohort for the psychedelic assisted therapies certificate at CIIS.

Any insights/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

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I'm pretty sure this will never become an area of nursing practice- the drugs are illegal and nowhere near legalization. Even if they become legal- look at MJ- it took years for states to catch on and as we know, the BON frowns on it and nurses have lost their licenses for testing positive for MJ- had to enter PAP- can't see the board taking too kindly to mixing psychedelic drugs and nursing. Maybe someone who knows more can weigh in.

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Specializes in sub-acute/rehab; acute psych.

I follow MAPS too and have been wondering the same! I think in time, they will need trained medical professionals, including nurses. Just don't drink the kool-aide ?

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.
On 8/5/2019 at 11:53 AM, Coffeeandcasemanagement said:

I'm pretty sure this will never become an area of nursing practice- the drugs are illegal and nowhere near legalization. Even if they become legal- look at MJ- it took years for states to catch on and as we know, the BON frowns on it and nurses have lost their licenses for testing positive for MJ- had to enter PAP- can't see the board taking too kindly to mixing psychedelic drugs and nursing. Maybe someone who knows more can weigh in.

I wouldn’t bet the farm on this. With suicide on the up tick across the board and the emergence of ketamine therapy as a viable alternative. I believe ketamine works along the MDMA pathway. We will see more and more novel treatments.

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Specializes in NICU, L&D, Public Health.

I have no experience as a HCP but I do take my son for ketamine treatments at a clinic. I've never tried it but everyone explains it as psychedelic. They use nurses and they all seem to really enjoy their job. He's under 18 so I spend a lot of time sitting around where the nurses are waiting for him to finish. It seems interesting. If I didn't need my pension I've worked so many years toward I would be very interested in working there.

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On 8/3/2019 at 4:55 PM, Elle Anna Webb said:

Hi all,

I just want to start off by saying that this site has been such a wonderful resource for me since I started nursing school in 06. Since then I’ve worked in a variety of settings from clinical research, to coordinating kidney transplants, to telemetry. This is my first time posting.

I am currently incredibly interested in the re-emergence of psychedelic research and the potential of psychedelic assisted therapy and would like to know if any of you have experience with it. I know it’s still in a bit of a grey area because of all the legal restrictions. I follow MAPS and it seems like they are really making progress towards legalization of substances such as psilocybin and mdma for therapeutic purposes.

I would love to get involved in any way I can but haven’t had much luck in figuring out how to get started. I am considering applying for the next cohort for the psychedelic assisted therapies certificate at CIIS.

Any insights/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I am super interested in this as well.if you ever find out any info or decide to do the certification let me know more info !!

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I know this post is from August, but I am highly interested in psychedelic therapies as well. I will graduate with my RN in May and I am looking to branch out in alternative therapies. I have been watching TED talks from psychiatrists and physicians that are making breakthroughs in patient trials. But, just as you guys, I have no idea how to start. But just knowing there are others that are interested in this makes me excited!

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I am also super interested in working in this field.

I imagine orientation at a treatment center would involve new employees gaining some personal experience with the different treatments, with a shaman present, of course.

Maybe we can change the world ?

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What is the job market like?

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Hi Elle! I have been a psych nurse for about 12 years... this June I am starting Grad school to get my Psych NP, with the goal of eventually working in the psychedelic field. This field is BOOMING! The person above who said there is no future is highly uninformed. Psychedelic therapy is currently in Phase 3 of clinical trials, which is the final phase before FDA approval. Obviously Ketamine is already legal... it is not a psychedelic, but it is lumped into the category because of its side-by-side properties of consciousness-raising and serotonin activation. It is just a matter of a couple of years before MDMA, Psilocybin and LSD are legalized. As of now there is no niche for RNs, but I believe that will change as private psychedelic therapy practices open, and there will be a need for intake and assessment. I think eventually getting your NP is the best bet, as NPs will be able to prescribe psychedelics, and even do psychedelic therapy, I believe after a specific certification course. Another model that I predict will emerge will be group private practices consisting of psychedelic psychotherapists without prescription credentials, with one Psych NP to manage intake and prescriptions. It is happening girl! Dont be discouraged, start getting involved now. On a personal note, I believe 100% in this therapy. The potentials for relief and healing are immense. Antidepressants are like band aids that numb your pain so you can function... psychedelics get to the root and illicit actual growth and change and healing. It will be truly revolutionary for individuals and also for society as a whole! xoxox

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3 hours ago, AmandaJaneV said:

Hi Elle! I have been a psych nurse for about 12 years... this June I am starting Grad school to get my Psych NP, with the goal of eventually working in the psychedelic field. This field is BOOMING! The person above who said there is no future is highly uninformed. Psychedelic therapy is currently in Phase 3 of clinical trials, which is the final phase before FDA approval. Obviously Ketamine is already legal... it is not a psychedelic, but it is lumped into the category because of its side-by-side properties of consciousness-raising and serotonin activation. It is just a matter of a couple of years before MDMA, Psilocybin and LSD are legalized. As of now there is no niche for RNs, but I believe that will change as private psychedelic therapy practices open, and there will be a need for intake and assessment. I think eventually getting your NP is the best bet, as NPs will be able to prescribe psychedelics, and even do psychedelic therapy, I believe after a specific certification course. Another model that I predict will emerge will be group private practices consisting of psychedelic psychotherapists without prescription credentials, with one Psych NP to manage intake and prescriptions. It is happening girl! Dont be discouraged, start getting involved now. On a personal note, I believe 100% in this therapy. The potentials for relief and healing are immense. Antidepressants are like band aids that numb your pain so you can function... psychedelics get to the root and illicit actual growth and change and healing. It will be truly revolutionary for individuals and also for society as a whole! xoxox

Girl, this is so encouraging and gets me fired up! Thank you so much for your post! How do we get involved at this point? I am in school right now for my ADN and will graduate in May with my eye on psych. I am doing my preceptership later this semester with the director of geriatric psyche at my local hospital. I live in rual Texas and when I talk about psychedelic therapies in a mental health setting most other nurses give me a dear in the headlights look lol. These therapies are helping patients to HEAL not just manage symptoms. One avenue I thought about pursing after graduation is becoming a nurse psychotherapist? Do you see a future for this? ADN to BSN to NP? What about PA's...do you see a model for this? This is a field I feel really pulled to but other than just continuing my education I am not sure how to get my foot in the door when I graduate. Should I just continue pursing psyche nursing for now while I get my ducks in a row as far as advanced schooling (so to speak)? I believe 100% this is the future of mental health I just feel lost in podunk Texas lol.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
8 hours ago, brockclan3 said:

Girl, this is so encouraging and gets me fired up! Thank you so much for your post! How do we get involved at this point? I am in school right now for my ADN and will graduate in May with my eye on psych. I am doing my preceptership later this semester with the director of geriatric psyche at my local hospital. I live in rual Texas and when I talk about psychedelic therapies in a mental health setting most other nurses give me a dear in the headlights look lol. These therapies are helping patients to HEAL not just manage symptoms. One avenue I thought about pursing after graduation is becoming a nurse psychotherapist? Do you see a future for this? ADN to BSN to NP? What about PA's...do you see a model for this? This is a field I feel really pulled to but other than just continuing my education I am not sure how to get my foot in the door when I graduate. Should I just continue pursing psyche nursing for now while I get my ducks in a row as far as advanced schooling (so to speak)? I believe 100% this is the future of mental health I just feel lost in podunk Texas lol.

I'm so glad you're encouraged! You are way ahead of your colleagues. People are still freaked out when they hear "LSD", but they are just misinformed and uneducated. The truth is, you are right, this is the future of mental health and you are VERY SMART to be interested. My suggestion is, go through school on the Psych nursing track, get your BSN and get a psych job. Meanwhile, do your own studying and reading about psychedelics. There is SO MUCH INFORMATION out there. Read and absorb what you can and get yourself informed and educated. There are hundreds of documentaries and books and websites. One doc I recommend is "Neurons to Nirvana" on Netflix... its a good overview of the history, politics, science and treatment possibilities. Go to the MAPS website (Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies) and look around, get on their mailing list. They are at the forefront of research and advocacy. Get the book "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan. It can be a hard read because it is very detailed and thorough, but it is a great book, and the author includes his own experiences with trying psychedelic therapy. In terms of a career, you are definitely limited living in rural Texas! I imagine that will be a challenge. See if there are any Ketamine Infusion clinics around, or if any psych units or hospitals offer Ketamine therapy. Ketamine is the only "psychedelic" that is already 100% legal for mental health treatment. You should try to get a job involving Ketamine. That would be a good way to be around more open-minded people and get your foot in the door. (Having IV infusion experience would help you get a Ketamine job, so if its not offered in school, you can probably take a separate IV course). And I'd say definitely go for a Psych NP eventually. There will be much more opportunity for NPs, since they can prescribe. I don't really know anything about becoming a nurse psychotherapist, is there such a thing? I know there is a certification course you can take to become certified specifically in psychedelic therapy (but i think right now it is really expensive and only in California, and only available to people with certain credentials. You can look on the MAPS website for more info). Lastly, perhaps there is a psychedelic community forming near you? Look around online for groups and meet-ups. You never know who is out there! I'm excited for you! Good luck.

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