questions about becoming a psych np

Editorial Team / Admin · May 21, 2016

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Thread moved to Student NP forum.

ThePsychWhisperer, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · May 22, 2016

I have a few questions I'm hoping someone here can help me out with. I've been an ICU nurse for just under 5 years, and about 6 months ago I became a casual psych rn at a local hospital. Since then I've become really interested in and have considered pursuing becoming a PMHNP, but I have questions about it. Is the schooling very competitive to get into? I did excellent in my BSN, but I'm very limited in my psych experience. What are the thoughts on online PMHNP programs? Because of where I live my options are very limited for in-class, and I can't afford to not work for 2-3 years, and picking up and leaving and moving to another city and finding a job and starting school seems a bit excessive. If I had no other choice I could pull it off, but it's not something I'm really considering right now. I'm a single father so I would prefer to not just up uproot unless it's a last resort. So what are others thoughts on online programs? Any that people recommend? Thoughts on the job market? I've mostly heard good things, but I've also heard conflicting things as well. Is it difficult to find clinical sites, and would an online program severely limit my options there? Thanks you very much.

Hi there!

I'm currently an ED nurse with 3 years experience. I fell in love with psych nursing after noticing the disparity between how med-surg and psych patients are treated in the emergency setting. I started studying for my PMHNP 3 semesters ago now. I currently attend the University of South Alabama and do all of my didactic course work online and arrange clinical where I live. Since I didn't have 2 years in psych nursing before starting, I had to do 120 clinical hours as an intensive before moving on to my nurse practitioner classes. I'm currently taking two to three classes per semester and still working full-time. Personally, I love online programs as it lets me move at my own pace. If I feel like I can just sit down one weekend and bust out all of my papers, I can do just that. If I just want to have a lazy weekend and do the minimum, I can do that too. As long as I have my assignments in by the due date, all's good.

I have one weekend this August that I have to attend an on campus visit outside of graduation, but there is no other requirement for me to go to campus. I got lucky with my intensive practicum and was able to connect with very nice nurse practitioners in the field that are great teachers and willing to precept. I have to have a minimum of 600 hours to graduate, but I recommend doing as many as you can. The job market is still pretty good, as this particular field hasn't been oversaturated like the FNP has...yet. Jobs are still good here, but I get alerts for jobs all the time that are out of state, so some areas are more needy than others. Many of the jobs I get emails about also offer perks such as insurance, loan repayment, and relocation assistance. Just something to think about.

JSignore · May 25, 2016

Thank you very much. That is actually one of the top schools I am interested in so it is really good to hear that. I'm assuming you applied first and they informed you about the 120 hour practicum? I actually just had the opportunity to shadow a PMHNP yesterday who works in the private practice of one of the psychiatrists from work, and I enjoyed it a lot. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would and I'm really hoping this is doable for me. Do you mind if I ask you about the program you are in? Is it very intense, like heavy work loads? Was the application process difficult? Are the professors very helpful? Thank you once again very much.

ThePsychWhisperer, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · May 25, 2016

If you have 2 years of solid psych experience by the time you start clinical, you shouldn't have to do the 120 hours of intensive practicum. The program is not extremely intense. I take 2-3 classes a semester, simply because I wanted to add an education sub-specialty. The application process through NursingCAS is hell on earth, but once past that, things get significantly easier. Some of the professors are very helpful, and others not so much. It's about what you would expect with any college.

HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP · May 25, 2016

I'm also in a PMHNP program at Gonzaga. I chose that school for its reputation in the PNW (where I want to permantly relocate after graduation) and if needed they will help with clinical placements. They don't initially tell you this but they do have back up preceptors available if you are willing to relocate to the Spokane WA area for your clinical. They only do the PMHNP in cetain states because there are site visits. There are also weekend intensive seminars at the main campus once a semester. It was pretty competitive. Had to take the GRE or MAT for the application, rec letters, writing sample etc. Very pleased with the program. Its pretty rigorous but I still manage to work fulltime. I thought about USA but couldn't wrap my head around that Nursing Cas thing.

ThePsychWhisperer, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · May 25, 2016

I'm also in a PMHNP program at Gonzaga. I chose that school for its reputation in the PNW (where I want to permantly relocate after graduation) and if needed they will help with clinical placements. They don't initially tell you this but they do have back up preceptors available if you are willing to relocate to the Spokane WA area for your clinical. They only do the PMHNP in cetain states because there are site visits. There are also weekend intensive seminars at the main campus once a semester. It was pretty competitive. Had to take the GRE or MAT for the application, rec letters, writing sample etc. Very pleased with the program. Its pretty rigorous but I still manage to work fulltime. I thought about USA but couldn't wrap my head around that Nursing Cas thing.

Yeah, NursingCAS is a bit ridiculous, but it seems to be the trend nowadays. Thank goodness once you get past that, it's all downhill coasting.

JSignore · May 26, 2016

NM. I figured it out.