Tips for Psych NP student

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I just got word that I was accepted to a psychiatric nurse practitioner program; I start this summer. I am wondering if anyone out there has any tips for me, what to start reading, what to study, books to read, audio lessons, anything and everything you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Do you have adult acute psych unit experience?

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Do you have adult acute psych unit experience?

Yes I have 10 years total of doing psych as a case manager and bht and two years as a nurse. I have a bachelors in counseling psych as well. Just want to succeed and prepare as much in advance.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Nice you will be head and shoulders above your peers who haven't ever seen the difference between delirium and psychosis. So you do know that for the most part you will be hired for medication management only, right? If you want to do therapy get your LCSW or LCPC or open your own practice if you are willing to make far less money than if you hire competent LCSWs or LCPCs to do the therapy portion.

Start thinking of colleagues who you know to be excellent at diagnosing and prescribing get in touch and see if you can secure a preceptor now. I personally preferred MDs and most schools even if they prefer NPs will allow MDs. If you aren't familiar with addictions get up to speed on that because you will be worked like a BBQ rib bone by patient's seeking benzos and stimulants. I do not prescribe benzos on a long term basis to anyone, I don't prescribe them to people with addictions history, unless for detox, or geriatric patients. I'm stingy with stimulants and believe the number of adults with ADHD severe enough to require stimulants are few and far between. Worth realizing is that stimulants increase anyone's focus so a positive response in no way indicates a diagnosis. If a parent tells me they "tried" their kids medication and it worked like a charm, they will never get a stimulant from me and if I'm prescribing for their kid, if nothing else is a suitable choice, will be written to dispense at school. I'm sure you know detox protocols for ETOH/Benzos and opiates but if it has been awhile brush up on that. Remember with regard to antipsychotics they all essentially work the same and the main problem is non compliance. Inexperienced providers will dole out whatever latest greatest med a pharm rep has given them samples of and this has you giving your patient a medication you are not familiar with dosing/expected reaction/adverse reactions, one that doesn't have years of safety data and the inevitable payment problems when samples run out if it actually is effective. Children

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Thank you so much for the advice! All of this is pretty familiar to me. I have used cows, ciwa and msas for opiate and etoh protocols and we use them often. And I definitely hear you on the benzos and stimulants. The first provider I worked for had a similar outlook as you, he would not give any benzos if the patient had a substance abuse history and I agree with this philosophy. Your pointers are invaluable thank you for your time.

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Specializes in LTC & Private Duty Pediatrics.

Jules:

Thanks for the info.

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

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