Psychology nurse practitioner

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I am considering going back to school. I was thinking about going back for a family nurse practitioner; however, I have a friend going back to become a psychology nurse practitioner. I believe this would be an interesting field to consider as well. I have family members that have went through mental health issues such as bipolar disorder and addiction. Can anyone give me information on their experience going through the schooling for this field of nursing? Thank you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to student NP forum

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There is no such thing as a "psychology" NP - there are Psychiatric and Mental Health NPs. A good first step is to research schools that offer the PMHNP track - Vanderbilt is one.

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I would definitely recommend working first in Psych, preferably inpatient before you go down the PMHNP route. Treating patients from a nursing perspective is very different from working with close friends and family with Psych disorders...although that experience would certainly benefit your nursing practice.

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The one thing I would be concerned with regarding mental health NP is that currently ACA provides coverage for mental health services so there is a current demand in this field, however if ACA gets gutted or repealed, there goes all the money for your position. Then you spent all this time getting a degree and there are no jobs. well unless you like working in the correctional system which is the US version of free mental health facilities. The school I'm attending has a mental health NP track.

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The one thing I would be concerned with regarding mental health NP is that currently ACA provides coverage for mental health services so there is a current demand in this field, however if ACA gets gutted or repealed, there goes all the money for your position. Then you spent all this time getting a degree and there are no jobs. well unless you like working in the correctional system which is the US version of free mental health facilities. The school I'm attending has a mental health NP track.

I seriously doubt that coverage for mental health will ever go away. We are in the midst of an opioid addiction crisis, teen suicide rates have dramatically increased, and we are unfortunately continuing foreign wars that produce many veterans suffering from PTSD. An NP is free to obtain another post-master's certificate in an area like adult and geriatric primary care, or family practice primary care, etc. NPs should pursue their passions.

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I seriously doubt that coverage for mental health will ever go away. We are in the midst of an opioid addiction crisis, teen suicide rates have dramatically increased, and we are unfortunately continuing foreign wars that produce many veterans suffering from PTSD. An NP is free to obtain another post-master's certificate in an area like adult and geriatric primary care, or family practice primary care, etc. NPs should pursue their passions.

I am far less confident about this with our current administration, But it will be a few years before I am ready to consider any NP pursuits.

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I am far less confident about this with our current administration, But it will be a few years before I am ready to consider any NP pursuits.

I am really tired of all the negativity on this forum. There is an ACUTE shortage of all mental health professionals - Psychiatrists, PMHNPs, psychologists, social workers, etc.

1) I am a new grad NP and just got a great job for top $ with a mental health clinic. We are going to hire at least 10 more NPs or PAs in the next year.

2) "The administration" does not draft legislation or set budgets - Congress does. In addition, states have responsibility for allocating much federal funding. For example, Medicaid is administered at the state level. Many counties and municipalities also fund local programs.

Anyone who is passionate about mental health and puts in the work to become an outstanding candidate for a PMH NP job will get a job.

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Specializes in PMHNP-BC.
I seriously doubt that coverage for mental health will ever go away. We are in the midst of an opioid addiction crisis, teen suicide rates have dramatically increased, and we are unfortunately continuing foreign wars that produce many veterans suffering from PTSD. An NP is free to obtain another post-master's certificate in an area like adult and geriatric primary care, or family practice primary care, etc. NPs should pursue their passions.

How long does obtaining a post masters cetificiate usually take?

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How long does obtaining a post masters cetificiate usually take?

One to two years depending on the program and whether you do the cert PT or FT.

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