psychiatric nurse practitioners

lcprnc · Nov 19, 2005

I am going to be starting grad school this winter, and I would like to hear from some psychiatric nurse practitioners or psychiatric nurse practitioner students. Where do you attend school? Anyone going online? What is school like? If you have graduated, what was school like, and what kind of a job do you have? I am so excited, and I just want to hear all I can about my professional goal. Thanks. Krisssy

Hi Krisssy,

I've been wondering about the same. It is still my dream to pursue an Advanced Practice RN in Mental Health. I completed an MSN online but not an NP or CNS track. NP or CNS track would require more clinical hours, pharmacology classes and of course, prescriptive authority requirements. I have an ANCC certification in psych mental health, was a psych nurse for 10+ years and loved it! However, I left the job (and the specialty) because my family and I had to relocate overseas so that made me delineate. Well, after about 5 years, and now that I am back in the US, I figured it's time to go back to the the psych arena. In addition to my full time job as a nurse educator, I recently took a per diem job in psych to "test the water." Let me tell you, the nursing shortage in psych seems to be worse than med/surg! It also seems that psychiatrists are much more needed (at least in my region)! We have one APRN and she is overworked, being called day in and out, etc. I am aslo currently looking into how to get my APRN in psych by furthering my studies. I wonder how much more schooling I would need or would I be better off going for a PhD in Nsg?

krisssy · Nov 19, 2005

lcprnc,

You are so amazingly qualified, and if there is a shortage of psychiatrists in your area, and this is what you really want, definitely go for it!! In my research, the amt. of time it will take you depends on how many courses at a time you take. If you are able to go full time, with your experience and education, you can probably do this in a reasonably short period of time. I, personally, have no psychiatric nurse experience except for BSN clinicals and refresher course clinicals. As a psychiatric nurse and an educator, do you have any suggestions for me as I begin my education? What type of courses should I begin with? I am open and anxious to hear all suggestions from experienced psych nurses. Thanks Krissy RN MA:nurse:

LouNurse · Dec 11, 2005

Hi Krisssy,

I'm enrolled in the MSN Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Practitioner program at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark campus. I'm attending full time and just completed my first semester. I have 7 years Emergency Room and Critical Care experience, but no psych. I love psych though, and that's why I chose this field. As far as the clinical sites for rotations are concerned, most want you to have psych experience before they place you, but the large inner city hospitals have a real shortage, and are grateful to have any NP students they can get, regardless of psych experience. It's really up to you to make it happen. I must stress that you do need strong primary care and diagnostic skills. Psychiatric patients are often very sick people because they don't take care of themselves. A vast majority are walking around with untreated hypertension and diabetes, and you will be responsible for making accurate health assessments and managing their medical conditions. You must also know when they need to be referred accordingly to other specialties. For many in this underserved population, you will function as their psychiatric and primary care practitioner. You will be responsible for making independent decisions. Hope this helps. Good luck with school!!!

LouNurse · Dec 11, 2005

lcprnc,

I would suggest you complete a Post Graduate Certificate / Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program, since you already have a MSN. A PhD is great if you plan to teach at the college/university level, but it will not allow you to practice as an "advanced practice nurse" (nurse practitioner). The PhD is more research driven. There are new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs coming out now, although very scarce. The one in my area, offered by Columbia University, requires that you already be licensed as a Nurse Practioner and hold an MSN degree. Although some of these prgrams may not require that you already be a Nurse Practitioner, they all focus on Primary Care/Internal Medicine. There's none yet that focus on Psychiatry. So, the best bet for you is the PGC in Psych NP. Good luck!!!

lcprnc · Dec 11, 2005

Hi LouNurse,

I also happen to live and work in NJ so I really appreciate your feedback! I am now in the process of looking into the Psych NP program and vacillating between UMDNJ and Rutgers University's program (now that I have an MSN). I need to figure out if I can afford to get another student loan and how much more time and credits I would need to get this all accomplished. I still owe over $25,000 from the BS to MSN loan! Yikes! How much longer do you have? You mentioned that you are a full time student...do you work as well? How tough is it? Unfortunately, I cannot afford NOT to hold a full time job while in school How much time do you spend going to school? Are some of your classes online or are they all on campus? I really appreciate collaborating with you since I am looking into going to the same school. Thank you!

lcprnc, RN, MSN, BC, CCM

krisssy · Dec 12, 2005

ICPRNC, what do BC and CCM stand for? Lou Nurse, yes I am going to try my county medical center. Trying the county hospitals sounds like a good idea. I don't live near an inner city, but I think that may be a good substitute. If they need help, they may mentor me to get it. I am a very hard worker. You are correct about monitoring medical as well as psychiatric conditions. I learned a lot in my refresher course, and I got a lot of good clinical experience in assessment and procedures, BUT 6 weeks was not long enough. I will see how much I learn in pathology, pharmacology and assessment in school. If necessary, I may take another med surg refresher course before I look for a job. My lack of experience does worry me. I am trying not to think way in advance. I am starting with one course in Jan., and I will see where that leads me. I know that I will never take a job that I am not qualified for. Are there any types of part time jobs in psych that you could suggest for me to look for while I am going to school? It would need to be a job where I could learn as I was working and attending graduate school and a job that wouldn't require any experience in med surg or psychiatry. WOW that sounds terrible! But I am so anxious to learn! ICPRNC and Lou Nurse, thank you. I am so happy to connect with some psych nurses. Krisssy RN MA

nurse1day · Dec 12, 2005

Hi All

I am a new RN (graduated in May) I too have always been interested in Psych ursing. I would like to peds psych. I have worked on a general peds unit since July. I have a AA degree in nursing and a BA in psych. I have over 6 years (non nursing) in the psych field. Does anyone no of any online NP programs. Any help will be appreciated.

lcprnc · Dec 12, 2005

"LCPRNC, what do BC and CCM stand for?"

BC = "Board Certified" (It means that I am an American Nursing Credentialing Center {ANCC} certified nurse in Psych and Mental Health. I achieved the certification when I had an Associate Degree in Nsg. and used "RNC." Once I got my BSN, the title then changed to "BC."

CCM = Certified Case Manager (I am certified in Case Management through the Commission for Case Managers).

I know, these abbreviations/acronyms can get confusing at times. :)