Quality of Life: NP or CNS

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Hi everyone!

I'm currently a student pursuing a BSN. After shadowing both RNs and NPs, I feel that NP might be a good fit for me. As an NP or CNS, how do you feel about your profession? Briefly, what are the parts of your day that you look forward to the most, and what are the ones you dread? If you could go back, would you choose another profession (PA, OT, etc.)?

To any Psych NPs out there: do you perform a significant amount of psychotherapy, or is the job mostly medication related? I cannot find a Psych NP to let me shadow her due to confidentiality of patients (understandably), so I would truly value anything you all can let me know!

I appreciate any input you all may be able to provide in the forum! Thanks! :)

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Specializes in a lil here a lil there.

it just so happens i was posting a related question on the cns board (karma). i am in a psychnp/cns/fnp blended program and have a pmhnp friend already in practice. i do not know any psych cnss other than in classroom. the psych nps do not do any significant amounts of therapy in real world practice to my knowledge (which is not by any means comprehensive). the day is filled with mostly intake physicals, mental examinations, lab interpretations, and med adjustments. ford factory medicine at it's finest (joke :jester:)the therapists do all the therapy (probably because they are cheaper). the psych nps get training in counseling, but i think there is a reimbursement issue there (corrections welcome). i had not taken our business practice model course yet, so i have no formal education on that matter. i do know from talking to instructors, students and preceptors, that the roles are significantly different from state to state. perhaps you states bon site can clarify the role for you. remember however, that the bon can describe your scope of practice, but not the reality of how those roles are actually utilized in your location. the bon might be able to put you in contact with persons holding those different certs.

hope that helps.

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That definitely helps! :) The reality of the working situation for a Psych NP/CNS is precisely what I'm trying to discover and explore. Thanks for the response!

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To any current NPs: Are you happy with your jobs overall?

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