Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

myelin · Nov 6, 2012

Where do you want to practice? I'd choose the most reputable program in that area, while also making sure it's reasonably priced. If you're not sure where you want to live, consider a big name or "top" program that will be recognizable everywhere you go, so you have the reputation of an excellent institution on your resume.

gxsr · Nov 6, 2012

I don't know where you live, but I commute to Boston so that I can attend Northeastern University. I love the PMHNP program, feel free to contact me with any info.

myrn11 · Nov 6, 2012

I forgot to say that I am considering online programs. I had my RN-BSN program online and I enjoy the flexability. I live in Nashville, TN and would love to go to Vanderbilt but the large price tag is out of reach for me!! I am considering The University of Cinci, Saint Louis University, and The University of North Dakota so far. Any other online programs that anyone knows about would be awesome. I have heard that The University of South Alabama is no good, does anyone have experience with this? Thanks for the replies.

myelin · Nov 6, 2012

I wouldn't attend a program that didn't set up clinicals for me.

illcleff · Nov 9, 2012

I am currently enrolled in Drexel's online PMHNP program. So far so good. PM me if you need more information.

mtsteelhorse · Nov 14, 2012

Drexel was my first pick but I can't handle the campus visits from where I live. I will be attending Saint Louis University in January. EXCELLENT reputation but $$$. I'm counting on HRSA to help me with loan repayment. University of ND is excellent also but DNP only. Decide if you want MSN or DNP. The number of MSN programs is decreasing pretty rapidly. From what I've heard Univ. South Alabama is big NO. Good luck to you!

myelin · Nov 14, 2012

I went to a meeting about HRSA loan repayment and it was kind of depressing.

Basically, they're getting about twice as many applicants as they have funding for, so the score of your site needs to be really high in order to get funding. It wasn't promising. Sigh. For PMHNP all the eligible sites with really high scores aren't really where I want to practice (the deep South, for example).

mtsteelhorse · Nov 15, 2012

That's too bad. I know my area is desperate. I'll just hope for the best. Things work out!

myelin · Nov 15, 2012

That's too bad. I know my area is desperate. I'll just hope for the best. Things work out!

Thank you for the positivity. I really want to believe things will work out, as well. Maybe they'll secure more funding by the time we graduate (hehe). Because the desperate locations that I'm interested in working at only have scores of 12 or 13. The guy basically told us to not bother applying if the site's score is below 16 and to really try and apply to a site that's score is in the 20s if you want to be competitive for funding. But, like I said, it's premature for me to worry about this, so I'm going to try not to.

mtsteelhorse · Nov 15, 2012

Good info. I don't know a thing about the scores. How do you look up that up? It WILL work out!

RNUS · Nov 15, 2012

Hello myrn11, go to a school that is fully accredited and has a family pmhnp program. The rest depends on your learning style. If you prefer classroom lectures then find a program near your preference. If you are fully self-directed and do not care for classroom lectures then online didactic classes may be the way to go. Do what is best for you and your lifestyle but avoid ones that are not properly accredited by the accrediting bodies that are important. Best wishes.