Want PMHNP, but only DNP offered. What to do?

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Sooo here it is. I want to attend UMASS but they only offer an RN - BSN and then a BSN - DNP but I my career goal is to be a PMHNP. Should I look for another program or can I be a PMHNP with a DNP in nursing? Perhaps get a specialty after my DNP?

I thank you in advance for your thoughts!!!!

Jessica

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I would love to hear an answer as well. I want to go back to where I did my BSN (actually already accepted into their BSN-DNP program) but want to be a PMHNP, but there are none in my area. :[

-Asira

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BSN-DNP programs will prepare you in one specialty area (for example Family NP, Critical Care CNS, PMHNP, etc). After completion of the DNP degree you would be permitted to sit for advanced certifications if your particular school has the preparatory coursework for that certification.

For example, if School A has coursework preparing graduates for Adult-Geriatric NP certification (and a BSN-DNP student takes those courses). the DNP graduate could only sit for that exam. Asira: if you really want to be a PMHNP, you will need to go to a school that offers that specific content.

I encourage individuals to first determine what specific specialty certification they are seeking --- and then select the right school for that.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
BSN-DNP programs will prepare you in one specialty area (for example Family NP, Critical Care CNS, PMHNP, etc). After completion of the DNP degree you would be permitted to sit for advanced certifications if your particular school has the preparatory coursework for that certification.

For example, if School A has coursework preparing graduates for Adult-Geriatric NP certification (and a BSN-DNP student takes those courses). the DNP graduate could only sit for that exam. Asira: if you really want to be a PMHNP, you will need to go to a school that offers that specific content.

I encourage individuals to first determine what specific specialty certification they are seeking --- and then select the right school for that.

Hi there. Sorry to derail this thread. Do you have any idea how schools in your area are transitioning to the combined Adult and Gerontology Primary Care and Acute Care programs? As of now, there is still so much confusion as to what credits/courses need to be added to the existing ANP or ACNP curriculum. It seems easy enough in terms of eliminating the Peds PMHNP and just offering the Family PMHNP because the latter is already available as an option before this talk of the Consensus Model began but the ANP and ACNP tracks seem more complicated.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

There are several on-line schools that offer PMHNP programs but many are going the DNP route. Do you have your BSN or are you looking for a bridge program? Univ of ND offers the DNP in PMHNP. I don't know anyone attending but I do the school has an excellent reputation. Good luck!

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Yes, I have my Bachelors in psychology. My only problem with getting my degree online is that I cannot find an RN program that offers the RN online. You already have to have an RN. It makes sense yes, however, no campuses offer the RN courses in the evening or weekend. Therefore to get my RN first, I would have to attend day courses, which means no full time work - which is not an option. Yikes!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

local community college! get your ADN, then as an RN you can get your RN-MSN bridge online (drexel, Vandy, etc) then an MSN from either of those in in PMHNP online with a local preceptor.

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My difficulty now is that I cannot find and RN program that allows me to work full time. Clearly you cannot achieve your RN online since you need labs and clinicals. Oh my....this is so tough!

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Specializes in Psych.

University of Texas at Arlington Academic Partnership has an online RN program.

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Sooo here it is. I want to attend UMASS but they only offer an RN - BSN and then a BSN - DNP but I my career goal is to be a PMHNP. Should I look for another program or can I be a PMHNP with a DNP in nursing? Perhaps get a specialty after my DNP?

I thank you in advance for your thoughts!!!!

Jessica

Hey here's what I'm doing. I got my LPN which takes a year full time after prereqs. I'm enrolled in Indiana State University's LPN to BSN program. All course work is online, you set up clinicals with any BSN who is willing (there is a list or Nurses and institutions in my area who've done ISU clinicals already). I work full time too with a family and I'm a guy in my fourties. You can get your masters online too but the NP education landscape is rapidly changing so I'm going to reevaluate how to get my PMHNP after I get my BSN. Contact "The College Network" and ask them to take a look at your situation and give you advice. It just takes a few minutes and they will meet you near or even at your house, anywhere you choose. They are a wealth of information about distance learning in the nursing field and it's free.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

Hmmm...I've heard College Network is NOT the way to go...beware folks.

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Northeastern's program is pretty good (transferring for fall 2012) and its an MS degree.

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