Psychiatry or PMHNP?

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  1. Psychiatry or Grad Entry PMHNP?

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      Psychiatry
    • 0
      Grad Entry PMHNP
    • 0
      Mental Health isn't for you

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I am currently an undergraduate considering making the switch to mental health. I have one year left and can either take the prerequisites for grad entry PMHNP or med school, which should I do? What are the advantages of each? I'm in the Honors Program with a 3.68 so I would be semi-competitive but I'll need to take either the GRE or MCAT.Thanks :)

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Do you find yourself more drawn to the medical model of care or to the nursing model of care? What are your professional goals - where do you see yourself practicing, and what kind of practice do you want to do? What kind of work/life balance are looking for - in the short-term, in the long-term? What kind of back-ground are you bringing with you in terms of making this decision - how does that back-ground potentially grow into each of these roles? How much time do you want to spend on education before fully starting your career path?

Start by asking yourself these questions.

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Thank you for your response verene! Those are definitely important and insightful questions.

I think I find myself more drawn to the nursing model of care--while medication can be extremely helpful, I believe building relationships with patients is key. I don't know what type of practice yet, but I do value a well-mixed work/life balance with family and work. I'm about to graduate with an honors marketing degree, do you know anything about private practice? I want to be able to start work faster, however I would love to get a PHD or DNP (another topic which I'd love advice on later!). Any suggestions for grad entry programs I should apply to would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again :)

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