I am currently an ADN ICU nurse in one of the larger hospitals in the nation. This is my first nursing job, and I was licensed in January of this year. When I went into nursing, I always wanted to me a psych nurse, but this position was my main option with ADN. I am currently finishing my BSN online, and I will be done December of next year.
My plan has always to be a PMHNP. I withdrew from a MA in Community Counseling program to become a nurse (have a BA in economics), have script writing privileges, and utilize the psyciatric medical model.
Has anyone gone to The University of North Dakota's (UND) PMHNP program? As of right now, my plan is to apply to their program in November of next year? Is the program tough to get into? Is their program very difficult to complete (especially if working a 0.6)?
Does anyone have an other advice about how I can position my career in the future. I currently, work in one of the best ranked hospitals in the nation, and really don't mind the work in the ICU (I love learning much every day). However, I wonder if it is where my talents are. I also don't want to loose my clinical skills? Would anyone recommend staying an ICU nurse in hopes that I may someday want to become dual certified as a FNP? UND's PMHNP program is also very heavy in pathophysioogy and general pharmacology, and I wonder if staying in the ICU may help me with these classes in the future.
I really miss the 1:1 counseling I did in my Master's program before leaving, and right now I can't imagine my future nursing career not working in my own psych practice someday.
Any advice about preparing myself to get into UND or about PMHNP programs and UND's program would be appreciated.
FYI for anyone reading this post: RE: UND PMHNP program -It has had significant changes and is having some challenges. 1 primary professor for most of the psych NP classes who is also the director - with no accountability. Also, they do not provide everyone with clinicals as they advertise. Hopefully, the program will improve, but at the moment, they are not the first program I would recommend. Very poor communication, no support for students and you need the mentality that you will be teaching yourself.
The rates for the University of North Dakota UND are skyrocketing to $827 from ~$480/ credit. >800 is comparable to other schools, but not when clinicals are not easily provided (instead they are currently patchworked together and you need to find your own if you are in another state). In the state of MN, many universities have priority with local hospitals, facilities, organizations, so, UND has great difficulty competing with clinical placements. So, you may need to find your own clinical preceptors and clinical sites.
Specializes in Critical Care, Psych Mental Health.
I second the recent feedback on UND's PMHNP degree. Three major curriculum / program overhauls in less than two years. Most of the good instructors are gone. It's really unfortunate. I chose this program due to its reputation, and that rep is no longer valid. If you think you can teach yourself from a book, don't mind a ton of busy work, and have a job that allows last minute changes, this may be the program for you.
Specializes in Critical Care, Psych Mental Health.
I'm going to second the recent feedback on UND's PMHNP degree. Three major curriculum / program overhauls in less than two years. Most of the good instructors are gone. It's really unfortunate. I chose this program due to its reputation, and that rep is no longer valid. If you think you can teach yourself from a book, don't mind a ton of busy work, and have a job that allows last minute changes, this may be the program for you.
Psych-NP, BSN
17 Posts
FYI for anyone reading this post: RE: UND PMHNP program -It has had significant changes and is having some challenges. 1 primary professor for most of the psych NP classes who is also the director - with no accountability. Also, they do not provide everyone with clinicals as they advertise. Hopefully, the program will improve, but at the moment, they are not the first program I would recommend. Very poor communication, no support for students and you need the mentality that you will be teaching yourself.