Want to be a PMHNP. Options?

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Hi all,

I currently have a BA in psychology and recently obtained an MS in criminal justice. The job market is very different for my background than what i thought. It's much more of police, correctional officers, etc. That is not what i want to do at all. I've been applying to victim advocacy jobs because those are the closest thing i can find to what i'd like to do, as well as what matches up with my experience the most. I used to volunteer as a child advocate for the juvenile and family court in Washington state. I realized i have a great social science background, but i really want to have the science background to help children and adults in the CJS (criminal justice system) and veterans in a more medical capacity in a mental health setting. I think that gives me the best of both worlds and i could use medication and therapy to help people.

All that being said, i would really like to become a PMHNP. I know i've had a bit of late start on it because i already have degrees (but im only 26). It happens sometimes. I'm ok with adding debt for this career. What is the best way for me to acheive this? I know i have to get a BSN first and become an RN, but considering i'm not that interested in being an RN for a long time, could someone point me in the direction of good schools that want little to no experience? Also, someone please be honest with me, as i want the best job prospects possible, SHOULD i work for a couple years before applying to the MSN programs? Are most employers wanting PMHNPs with at least a couple years of experience as an RN under their belt?

i have read a few accounts of PMHNPs that talk about their daily work life. They sound exactly like a therapist that i used to see. They have their own office, set their own hours, listen to the patients, and then adjust\prescribe meds as needed. Is this how many PMHNPs are? I would love to have my own practice like this one day. I would imagine you'd work under a psychiatrist or someone else that has an MD. But i'd love to have the freedom to set my own hours and provide some therapy. Any advice on how to acheive this career goal?

Thank you everyone!

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Hello! I really like your enthusiasm for mental health, as I feel mental health is treated as a secondary problem in a lot of healthcare settings.

I have been a RN, BSN, for over 16 years. I'm a psych nurse and currently enrolled in a PMHNP program attending part-time. Getting accepted is very competitive. My advice to you is to get as much psych experience as you can. I attained my national board of certification in psych nursing last February, for personal achievement AND to help me get accepted into the PMHNP program. The program is really intense, but being able to take care of psych patients as a PMHNP is a dream!

Good luck! You can do it! If you need any help, please let me know!

Nice to meet you!...michele

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Thanks so much Michele! May I ask what program you are attending? What do you think about programs like Univ of SoAlabama with limited experience required, or ones like Univ of eastern Kentucky who seem to not require any experience? Kentucky is a hybrid program and most of SoAlabama's is online (aside from Clinic hours). I would think it would also help me get in the program with a BA in psych and my MS in CJ. I did very well in grad school (3.78). My undergrad was a 3.32 GPA.

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I looked into Eastern Kentucky's online program and wasn't very impressed. I looked into schools that are reputable. I had never heard of that school until I was researching online. Right now I'm attending University of Missouri-Kansas City, which is almost exclusively online. Sounds to me like you have great experience, and the admission committee wants to see somebody that has potential to endure the program. I'm attending part-time, work full-time, and have 5 kids.

I would recommend looking into their PMHNP program. Be prepared for some hard work though.

Let me know if I can help you out!...michele

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I looked into Eastern Kentucky's online program and wasn't very impressed. I looked into schools that are reputable. I had never heard of that school until I was researching online. Right now I'm attending University of Missouri-Kansas City, which is almost exclusively online. Sounds to me like you have great experience, and the admission committee wants to see somebody that has potential to endure the program. I'm attending part-time, work full-time, and have 5 kids.

I would recommend looking into their PMHNP program. Be prepared for some hard work though.

Let me know if I can help you out!...michele

Hmm i was mostly thinking about their program because they're really close to me. I'm in GA and there really isn't a lot of options for PMHNP programs. Knoxville, TN was about the closest place. Then again, i don't want to attend a crap school, so that's important! How do you know which schools have a good reputation? Are you using the US news ranking system? I did that for my CJ grad and went to a very good school. And i'm very impressed that you can go to grad school with that much on your plate! Kudos!! I don't know if i could handle that with 5 kiddos!

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Yes, I did use the US News Ranking System, and UMKC was listed as a reputable school. Since UMKC is about 98% online, that online option may work for you. Also, which is a bonus I considered, is that UMKC is a Master's program. Many of the nurse practitioner programs are phasing into DNP programs which is a 5 year program. Just some thoughts for you...michele

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Hi Michele,

I am applying for the UMKC PMHNP program currently and wondered how you are feeling in the program at this point. I hear it is very difficult. Do you find it doable? How's the stats class?

Thanks!

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Hi! I am currently applying to UMKC's PMHNP program and would love any more input you may have on the program. Thanks!!

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I looked into Eastern Kentucky's online program and wasn't very impressed. I looked into schools that are reputable. I had never heard of that school until I was researching online. Right now I'm attending University of Missouri-Kansas City, which is almost exclusively online. Sounds to me like you have great experience, and the admission committee wants to see somebody that has potential to endure the program. I'm attending part-time, work full-time, and have 5 kids.

I would recommend looking into their PMHNP program. Be prepared for some hard work though.

Let me know if I can help you out!...michele

Hello Michele,

I am currently applying to 3 PMHNP programs & UMKC is my 1st choice. If you don't mind giving me a little insight regarding their program? I would greatly appreciate it. You can pm me if that helps.

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