Questions from Prospective PMHNP

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Hi everyone,

I'm seriously considering going back to school for PMHNP either this fall or next and I have a couple of questions for those of you familiar with the field:

1. A practicing PMHNP I spoke to advised me that I should go to school for primary care first, then get an additional certification as a PMHNP. This was a new suggestion to me and not something I'd run across in my own research. Is there anything to this and if so, what?

2. It would be much easier for me to do an online program, since I will need to keep working full time and am planning a cross country move in the middle of the time frame when I would ideally be going to a masters' program. I have done online classes and find they work very well for me. However, I'm leery that I will not make the connections that I would in a brick and mortar program, and this might stunt my ability to get a job afterwards. Also, the online program I am most seriously considering is Rush University in Chicago's program, for a whole variety of reasons I can summarize if anyone is curious. On the upside, their program is well-regarded and ranked #4 in the country by US News and World Report (for PMHNP). On the other hand, I don't live anywhere near Chicago and don't plan on living in that area if and when I move, so it will be very obvious that I attended their online program for any employer who bothers to put two and two together. I would make some connections through my clinical hours which would be done locally, but will this be enough?

3. Any other thoughts on Psych NP programs and the pros and cons of entering the profession generally are appreciated and welcome. I have watched a few psych APRN's at work and picked a few of their brains on the subject of their job duties, what they like and dislike, and so on, but I can use all the information I can get before making the decision to invest the kind of time and money I will have to in order to enter this profession myself.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer!

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Hi everyone,

I'm seriously considering going back to school for PMHNP either this fall or next and I have a couple of questions for those of you familiar with the field:

1. A practicing PMHNP I spoke to advised me that I should go to school for primary care first, then get an additional certification as a PMHNP. This was a new suggestion to me and not something I'd run across in my own research. Is there anything to this and if so, what?

I'd do psych if that's what you want to do. I had a lot of nursing experience before I went the psych route so it helped. Many psych patients have medical problems and you need to know how your drugs interact with the ones they are taking. I work for the Army so I refer to primary care. I will also place polypharm consults if a patient is on 4 or more drugs. Some medical conditions mimic psych conditions as well as some drugs. I don't mess with primary care providers meds and they usually don't mess with mine…especially not more than once! It would be up to you if you want to do the extra education formally or do it via CME.

2. It would be much easier for me to do an online program, since I will need to keep working full time and am planning a cross country move in the middle of the time frame when I would ideally be going to a masters' program. I have done online classes and find they work very well for me. However, I'm leery that I will not make the connections that I would in a brick and mortar program, and this might stunt my ability to get a job afterwards. Also, the online program I am most seriously considering is Rush University in Chicago's program, for a whole variety of reasons I can summarize if anyone is curious. On the upside, their program is well-regarded and ranked #4 in the country by US News and World Report (for PMHNP). On the other hand, I don't live anywhere near Chicago and don't plan on living in that area if and when I move, so it will be very obvious that I attended their online program for any employer who bothers to put two and two together. I would make some connections through my clinical hours which would be done locally, but will this be enough?

I started Rush University while living in Bangladesh and then Thailand. I did some of my clinical in Okinawa and finished in Texas. Never had any employment problems. I recently had to put a message on my phone saying that if you were trying to hire me to hang up as I'm not interested.

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Thank you for your wise, well-informed words. It is very comforting to be told that doing exactly what I want to do (as far as specific degree/program to attain my desired career) is not a terrible idea!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, International Health, Psych.

Psych can be hard core! It's no joke! I am not going to lie to you. Not all of us are so lucky to love our jobs. There may not be anywhere for you to move to at times if you get bored or burned out. Patients die too (on purpose). You may find yourself in a job for the sole purpose of what feels like evaluating and writing scripts--nothing more, nothing less . . . except impact your volume, increasing the number of patients you see.

Shadow multiple Psych NPs AND FNPs working in various settings, inquire (as you are doing now), and do some self-analysis as well. "How would I deal with perpetual occupational negativity?" I don't mean to sound like a "Debby Downer" but the advice you received was probably to help expand your horizons and professional opportunities. Best of luck to you.

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I'm certain I want to stay in psych-- I work on a Geri psych unit and love it, though I've outlasted a lot of people who were hired with or shortly before me so I do know what you mean about a high rate of burnout. I like pharmacology and am realistic that a large part of my role as an np will be med management-- I am not out to save the world, or even necessarily save individuals. I just want to give the best care possible and make a decent living doing something I enjoy. Of course I would like to see my patients have good treatment outcomes but all my nursing experience has been in fields where I tend to see far more decline than progress, and I guess I'm used to it and still believe my patients deserve the best possible care.

given all that.... Does the advice to go for primary care first still hold water?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, International Health, Psych.

You're a good person. We need more Geri Psych providers. Welcome aboard!

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Thank you, resilientnurse! Your advice and encouragement mean a lot.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

I'm going for psych NP only. It's a specialized field that's expanding. Go for it!

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