RN Specialty to different NP Specialty

Specialties NP

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Hi all,

I'm curious to know if anyone has had a RN nursing specialty that differs from their NP track. For example, ER RN that went the FNP route or in my case a hopeful RN that will possibly go the PMHNP route while obtaining hospital placement in a different specialty.

Here's a little of my background to elaborate. I'm currently in nursing school in my 3rd semester of an ADN program. I have a BS in Psychology, MS and EdS degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in my state. I love mental health but I am experiencing burnout in my current capacity. I've always wanted to be in the medical field, I actually started my bachelors in Biology with the intent of attending medical school for pediatrics, however, I fell in love with psychology and moreso the counseling/therapy aspect of mental health.

I played with the idea of returning to nursing school for years before doing so because I do feel like this is also my calling. However, I don't want to do psych nursing full-time (possibly PRN). I love the hospital and I am actually hoping to specialize in the NICU or L&D. If I do specialize in a different aspect of nursing I still would like to utilize my license in mental health counseling as well, just on a more flexible basis. I have more than a little while to think about it, pray about it, and source it out but I would love different opinions or experiences with this.

So, did anyone specialize in a different aspect of nursing than they became a nurse practitioner in?

NOTE: Please move this to the appropriate forum if I have posted in the wrong one. Thanks :) Also I put my question in bold so it wouldn't get lost in my explanation.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

It happens all the time but in my opinion, not that there aren't outliers, in psych the ones who are the rock stars usually have an extensive RN acute inpatient psych experience. It doesn't make sense to me that since you know you are going into psych that you wouldn't use every opportunity to hone your craft while getting your RN. Please don't be like the PsyDs who fancy themselves arm chair prescribers "you know its the same as a psychiatrist but without the medicine part" or the ICU RNs who justify changing to psych because "I've taken care of so many patients with mental illness", yeahhhhNO.

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Thanks for the input Jules. I currently work at an acute care inpatient psychiatric hospital as the therapist and I work hand in hand with the RNs and the psychiatrist and NPs. However I'm on the floor with the RNs all day and the psychiatrist and NPs as they do rounds. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear about my experience in the inpatient setting. There are a few RNs who specialize in other areas at the medical hospital but are PRN in psych at my hospital but none of them have gone for NP in psych. I do know a few who got their MSN and DNP in the educator or administrator roles. Thanks again for your insight

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

My nursing exp was 10 years level 1 trauma center, 2 years adult ICU, 1 yr PICU, and 2 yrs as an LPN in a snf

then I went into nephrology as an APN. However I had extensive orientation into that specialty before I was let go on my own.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Happens so often that it is pretty much the norm. Quite a few people from my class who apparently tried their damnedest to enter L&D with no success (for some reason, it is a particularly hard to get into specialty in Michigan) now found themselves welcomed in women's health heavy practices as soon-to-graduate FNPs.

It may be different is narrower specialties like Mental health, when previous experience/exposure is definitely important. It also may be place/provider dependent. Some specialist physicians actually prefer new NP hires not to have any experience in their specialty, as one of them put it "to train them myself my right ways from the beginning".

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TraumaRUs that's definitely some well rounded experience! Thanks so much for your feedback!

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KatieMI that's a relief to read. You brought up a great point. I hope my previous experiences would only add to my ability to diagnose and treat if I'm blessed to become a PMHNP. However, I can definitely understand why some physicians would want a strict focus. The psychiatrists I work with have been very motivating to the idea but that could be attributed to my great working relationship with them. It definitely may be different if I move to another hospital or state. Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it!

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Specializes in Family, Pediatrics.

Worked inpatient psych through nursing school, 10 years adult ICU as RN, now FNP working in a pediatric clinic. I never imagined this is what I would be doing- and my old co-workers are usually like "You're doing WHAT?!"- but I get such a kick out of it and have a great schedule and benefits. Each has contributed to my knowledge base and enable me to deal with varying situations at work. Don't be afraid to wet your feet in something new if it interests you. That's the beauty of this profession- there's something (and usually more than one something) for everyone.

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Nusemel326 thanks so much for your encouragement! It really is refreshing to read different experiences and feel like I can still do all that my heart desires. I really appreciate it!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Thanks for the input Jules. I currently work at an acute care inpatient psychiatric hospital as the therapist and I work hand in hand with the RNs and the psychiatrist and NPs. However I'm on the floor with the RNs all day and the psychiatrist and NPs as they do rounds.

Please keep in mind rounding with them as a member of the social work team is not the same as working as a RN where you will be administering medications which allows you to learn first hand indications, dose ranges, positive and negative outcomes. Its clear you are about "following your hearts desire" and you definitely have more experience than the tons of new psych NP grads with ZERO, sans their extensive psych encounters in ICU-the few that were conscious anyway lol.

I'm just saying it doesn't make sense to me that you would squander the opportunity to hone your craft in psych as a RN unless you aren't sure this is your end game and in that case absolutely shop around.

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Hi JulesA, I definitely understand what you mean. RN/NP in psych is a totally different realm than the therapeutic side. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to see how we approach the same situation in a different manner. Thanks so much for your feedback! You've definitely given me some things to think on.

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