Research Opportunities for PhD(Nursing) in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing?

[InfantryVet2014]

I am learning about psych nursing and contemplating the idea of applying for a PMHNP degree after I get my RN.

I am curious what opportunities exist for a motivated PMHNP who pursues a PhD in Nursing, to advance the Psych/Mental Health field through research after receiving a PhD.

Do PMHNPs with PhDs contribute to the field, or is it strictly psychologists and psychiatrists? Very interested to know, and I'd love to read any details anyone would be willing to share. Thanks in advance.

[PG2018]

I had a grad school instructor who was PhD before PMHNP. Idk what her dissertation covered, but now she does fMRI studies.The difficult thing about PHDs is that you're supposed to research under/in conjunction with PHDs who share your field of interest. Since most nursing PHDs do studies in some vapid theory or how to train RNs I don't want one. If I could find faculty to help me address topics of interest I'd be game. I've already done a lot of research regarding law enforcement involvent in mental health as well as stress and PTSD in LE.

[InfantryVet2014]

Very interesting--thank you for replying.

1) Your former grad instructor's work with fMRIs... was the Phd or PMHNP the turn-key credential for working with the fMRIs? I'm also not especially familiar with that... is that a routine test that she helps out with or is it genuine neuro-psych research?

2) Re: the latter part of your post, would you recommend only pursuing a PhD in programs where I can find PhD-Nurses conducting meaningful research on Psych/MH?

[PG2018]

Oh man, functional MRI is the future of psychiatry - not this "chemical imbalance" crap. It's true research. Give it a read.

I'd find a program with a faculty advisor with a similar field of interest. Neuroscience is all the rage so anything as close to that as you can get will help your academic career prospects.