Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - Basic Advice :)

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Hi all!

So, I have a Bachelors in Psychology and some Graduate courses in Social Work for my MSW. However, I want to switch careers to a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

In order to do so I need to receive my RN from a community college and attend my RN - MSN with a psychiatric NP direction online (I can't quit full time work...I'm almost 30!)

SO - here are my questions! And I thank you SO SO SO much in advance!

1) has anyone attended an online RN - MSN or even BSN program? Thoughts?

2) Do you have to do clinicals after your RN, how would I do those at an online school?

3) I live in Maine and the community college here says there is a 3 year wait on clinicals? Are there other options?

4) AM I COMPLETELY CRAZY FOR DOING THIS ALL OVER AGAIN? :) :) :)

Best,

Jessica

Very good point. I know that UMASS is recognized in my area and that when you get the certificate, it does not specify wether ot not you were on campus or online. They do that at a few campuses in the area. Unfortunately, i just cannot find one that offers a part time program or an online program to get my RN first. Anything after the RN can be achieved online.

I did check with Northeastern in Boston, as specified in the last posts, and they only offer the BSN, you cannot get your ADN along the way and the program is full time, although online. Also, clinicals are in the Boston area and further into Mass, not in your current area. I am in Maine, about 1 hour from Boston, not too bad, but the full time program woudl not work with 40 hours a week at my job. :( still trying to figure this out!

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Specializes in Psych.

University of Texas at Arlington Academic Partnership has an online RN program where you do clinicals in your area. I am in their RN-BSN program now, it is work.. but it is do-able.

You might also look into something called an "accelerated BSN program". It would mean not working, but you're an RN at the end of it.

One of the universities here has an Accelerated BSN Weekend option - you go Friday, and clinicals Saturday and Sunday.

There are options - just got to know what you want.

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"One of the universities here has an Accelerated BSN Weekend option - you go Friday, and clinicals Saturday and Sunday. "

Can you tell me where this university is? I don't know if you meant "here" as in Maine :)

I am going to have to look into the University of Texas program...an online RN would be perfect. That is what I need, just can't find it anywhere! I need to work full time while going back, so this would be up my alley! I am going to look into it! TY so much!

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

I am struggling with this same issue. I am really interested in mental health/substance abuse but really don't want to go the DNP route. I am a much older student so don't want to waste years either! Are there ample jobs for psych NPs?

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Specializes in Psych.

Texas Women's University is the weekend program I'm familiar with here (in Texas) - Weekend Program - TWU College of Nursing - Texas Woman's University

I don't know how far it is from your part of Maine to this part of Maryland, but I also found

Online Nursing Program Overview

Boston, MA - BHCC - Weekend Nursing Program

Didn't find any in Maine, Vermont, or New Hampshire.

Good luck.

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Im hoping I can get some advice. I would appreciate it so much!

So, I have a BA in Business Admim with a minor in Psychology. I am also a RN. I am looking at online RN-MSN programs that will give me a degree in Psychiatric/Mental Health NP. Where do you suggest I go to school! Is this a smart career path to follow vs. a general NP? I would like to get my degree online. What do you suggest???

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Hi all!

So, I have a Bachelors in Psychology and some Graduate courses in Social Work for my MSW. However, I want to switch careers to a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

In order to do so I need to receive my RN from a community college and attend my RN - MSN with a psychiatric NP direction online (I can't quit full time work...I'm almost 30!)

SO - here are my questions! And I thank you SO SO SO much in advance!

1) has anyone attended an online RN - MSN or even BSN program? Thoughts?

2) Do you have to do clinicals after your RN, how would I do those at an online school?

3) I live in Maine and the community college here says there is a 3 year wait on clinicals? Are there other options?

4) AM I COMPLETELY CRAZY FOR DOING THIS ALL OVER AGAIN? :) :) :)

you are not crazy at all. I am 34 have MSW and MPH and feel like i have to play catch up as have to start all over to get to NP. I have to start 1 yr pre-reqs coz my bachelors is in business, so no sciences, then start an R 10 months accelerated 2015 summer finish 2016 then work as am applying for DNP since just my luck deadline for 2015 MSN for NP will be out oh God I will be 40 plus before I start enjoying the benfits of my work. why didn't I know about this things in my 20's.

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Just so you know, there is no 2015 deadline. It's merely a recommendation (kind of like BSN for the RN, and we still have plenty of ADN programs).

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.
Just so you know, there is no 2015 deadline. It's merely a recommendation (kind of like BSN for the RN, and we still have plenty of ADN programs).

Amen to that!

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

Simply Complicated, tried to PM you but your box is full!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Simply Complicated, tried to PM you but your box is full!

Deleting now!

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Technically you can work as an NP in a mental health setting. It would be wise and give you a competitive advantage to have a post-masters cert. in mental health since you are not getting a PMHNP.

The advantage to having an NP is that if you get tired of psych, you can go back to general practise.

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