What is my process for APN?

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Hello! I am new to this forum, though have been thinking for a few years now that I want to go to nursing school. I have a BA in Psychology and really enjoy that population (Psychiatric) I had worked for several years before my daughter was born at a community mental health center. There instead of psychiatrists they had nurses APN's for Advance Practice Nurse. One of the nurses told me that I could do a fast track nursing degree since I already had a four year degree. So long story short after we found out my husband has been job transfered to the Phoenix area I thought it would be a perfect time to go back to school. (we currently live in a very isolated mountain town in Colorado, only a undergraduate college here).

My question is how do I go about all of this, and am I missing some important facts?

So I did find out that there is a college in Phoenix that has an "accelerated BSN program". So I can use my four year degree as my generals so to speak then engage in the 15-18 month program (I know it is going to be tough). Then I can go to the boards and get an RN. What I am missing is how do I go from RN to APN and an APN that has focus on Psychiatry? thanks in advance for your advice and knowledge on the subject!

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

An APN has a masters degree at a minimum. You'll get there by getting your BSN and RN, getting some experience (at least a year, usually), and then attending an appropriate Masters program, OR you can go into a direct-entry program, whiz through your RN and come out with your Masters and the ability to sit for your particular APN certification. There are a number of different types of APN, from the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, to the Certified Nurse Midwife, to the various flavors of Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. As you go through school and then work you'll figure out which one you'll want to do, if any.

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thanks. I didn't realize you needed a masters the APN at the center I worked at did not have a masters. Interesting.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

He or she probably did have a masters, or possibly a clinical doctorate - academic degrees are frequently left off of many institutions' name badges.

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The University of Cincinnati has an MSN program called "Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist"

They also have an accelerated program for the MSN for people who already hold a Bachelor's degree in an area other than nursing.

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thanks for the responses! We will see what I can come up with, as my husband and I are moving to Phoenix, so I have to see what Phoenix has to offer.

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