Suggestions for online Psych NP Program

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HI, I'm new and was hoping I might be able to get your suggestions. I am an "older" RN with many years experience as a Psych RN. Thinking about taking the next step to a Psych NP. But, I have a family and need to work as much as I can. I can't move away to attend a school. I live in Northern New England. So I'm thinking of an online university program that is affordable. I seriously doubt I'll qualify for any financial aid. I'm not poor but definitely not rich. Can anyone offer suggestions. Thanks

Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

Not heard of it until now. It looks good! There is a residential component so just be aware of that.

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Yes Wilkes said there is 3 day residency after physical assessment, and 3 days after end of each clinical component. But I live in NJ. I have to drive 2 hours to get there. But it is the cheapest so far. University of Southern Indiana doesn't accept NJ residents for NPs.

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Though USI is $300 per credit.

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Vanderbilt is good i heard and they arrange for your clinicals but too expensive, $1000+ per credit.

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I thought about Vanderbilt but it is too expensive and I think they accept too many students per class. I am not sure if Vanderbilt will provide arrangement for clinicals for out-of-state student. I would look in other school. Try to get into local DNP program. I only pay $19000 for my degree at local school. To become just a psych NP with mediocre salary, it is not worth paying that much for tuition. You may not think about it now but you will after graduation. It is not like CRNA or good specialties that you can make a good living right after graduation. Drexel is also too expensive.

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I thought about Vanderbilt but it is too expensive and I think they accept too many students per class. I am not sure if Vanderbilt will provide arrangement for clinicals for out-of-state student. I would look in other school. Try to get into local DNP program. I only pay $19000 for my degree at local school. To become just a psych NP with mediocre salary, it is not worth paying that much for tuition. You may not think about it now but you will after graduation. It is not like CRNA or good specialties that you can make a good living right after graduation. Drexel is also too expensive.

I wouldn't discourage just because of financial reasons. Many psych NPs make more than you think. It depends on area. Where I live PMHNPs work just as Psychiatrists do, and don't make much less. But you have to hustle, it's not like working salary in a hospital.

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It depends on area.

That's the keyword. You are just lucky to live in a good area. Once the demand is met in those few areas in a year or two, you will see the fall in salary.. overall, we are raked # 6-7 below derm, ER, surgery per NP salary survey last year... It is not that great. Do not take the risk of paying that much for just this degree, unless you do DNP. Go to public school with cheap tuition. Do not take the risk of online school earlier it is a hassle finding preceptors.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

EKU is $590/credit hour. No residency, find your own preceptors.

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That's the keyword. You are just lucky to live in a good area. Once the demand is met in those few areas in a year or two, you will see the fall in salary.. overall, we are raked # 6-7 below derm, ER, surgery per NP salary survey last year... It is not that great. Do not take the risk of paying that much for just this degree, unless you do DNP. Go to public school with cheap tuition. Do not take the risk of online school earlier it is a hassle finding preceptors.

Yeah I went public school route. A coworker is going to Vandy and doing it in the 1 year track. She has to pretty much pay a boatload, struggle to work PRN, and take two weed out classes at once. Plus each semester she has to go to campus for an extended weekend. My area is apparently a Mecca for homeless communities which leads to mental health and substance abuse issues. There aren't enough providers and we are the only hospital in the state that will take uninsured dual diagnosis patients. They get sent in from all over the state and the providers are overwhelmed .

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Specializes in Psych.

The PMHNP program at USM is a solid program with an emphasis on therapeutic interaction/psychodynamic therapy. They have a part time option where many students work part time or per diem. The starting salary in Maine for new grads is quite good and there is no dropping off in site. Pediatrics is a particularly short area. I haven't heard any feedback from any online degree program for NP's but I know that I value the classroom experience with others in my cohort that will be my future colleagues. You will still likely qualify for both stafford loans and potentially Grad Plus loans. It's worth calling the financial aid dept to find out.

Then there's also the NHSC scholarships.

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Hello smc4728:

I live in NJ and looking for online PMHNP program. have done lot of research and still have some questions. If can you PM me or email me at [email protected]

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TheOldGuy, why do you say to avoid Midwestern State University at all costs? Can you PM me please?

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