Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

[taraleee]

I love psychology. In fact I would have went to school for that instead of nursing. But I opted out, because of the security of having a job, and it's a lot more schooling than nursing, to make the same amount. I was trying to do research on this but am confused and un sure. What type of psychology work is there in nursing that I could look into? Psychiatric nurse practitioner seems to be about the same as a psychiatrist.. I think. I don't know I am just confused

[WinterLilac]

In Australia (where I am) you will need to do your Masters in Mental Health (Nurse Practitioner) in order to be able to do that firstly you need: Completed Bachelor of Nursing, minimum of 5 years nursing experience as an RN including 3 years as a psych nurse and minimum of 1 year as a higher level RN (often a Clinical Nurse CN or Clinical Nurse Specialist CNS). You will need to excel in your work because you'll need letters of support from your hospital/organisation AND two clinical supervisors, one of which is to be a nurse practitioner themself. A nurse practitioner is pretty much one under a doctor so it's a long road. But as I always say, it's better to be at the bottom of a ladder you want to climb than halfway up one you don't. Good luck. Oh and out of curiosity, why not just do psychology? From another of your threads, you dislike personal care. Nursing incorporates personal care and RNs are often required to assist with PC, the best RNs never act like they are 'above' PC.

[taraleee]

Because I'm scared I won't find a job that pays well in the end. It makes more sense to get an associate degree to make more than having to get a masters in psychology to make the same a nurse makes an hour.. you know?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Here, take a look at THIS site - American Psychiatric Nurses Association - for tons of information. It has the answer to your questions.