Where do Psych NPs work? (which states)

zenman · Aug 29, 2011

Probably because TX is not NP friendly. Even though I was born in TX, I'm working next door in the friendly state of New Mexico. There's probably a need in TX though. I treated a patient last week who moved to East Tx and was told it would be a year before she saw a psychiatrist. She finally came back to NM and I got her back on her meds. I made sure I sent a letter to Governer Perry about the sad state of affairs in his state!

mojopsych · Aug 30, 2011

Actually there is a need in Houston and Dallas. Most of the positions aren't posted and you find out about them through networking. I just graduated this month and I already have a position waiting. I interviewed and was offered 4 positions in Houston and have had about 6 interviews so far in Dallas. I turned down at least other practices that offered an interview. The market is really good you just have to research and network really well. Good luck!!

jamesy7 · Aug 30, 2011

Yeah TX is definitely not NP friendly - hopefully it will change :) Good idea on writing Perry, Zenman.

Mojo, how did you go about networking? Did you work at a psych facility in Texas?

al dente · Sep 2, 2011

Anyone have recent information on NP practice changes in Texas? I've heard TX may be going independent, but am not sure of the validity of this statement. I'm not in TX, but have a colleague who may be moving to DFW area for family reasons. She's pretty concerned because we are in an independent practice state and moving to TX may drastically alter the way she practices not to mention her ability to find a job. Speciality is family psych, BTW.

Thanks in advance for any recent information.

zenman · Sep 2, 2011

Anyone have recent information on NP practice changes in Texas? I've heard TX may be going independent, but am not sure of the validity of this statement. I'm not in TX, but have a colleague who may be moving to DFW area for family reasons. She's pretty concerned because we are in an independent practice state and moving to TX may drastically alter the way she practices not to mention her ability to find a job. Speciality is family psych, BTW.
Thanks in advance for any recent information.

I haven't heard anything but I'd go back if they do.

apocatastasis · Sep 5, 2011

I'm a FPMHNP student in Austin. If you want to network with Psych NPs in Austin, our local organization is Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses of Austin (http://www.psychnp.org/). There's a pretty active mailing list on Google that you can join, discussing everything from meds to pharmaceuticals to outreach to practice agreements to legislative efforts.

jamesy7 · Sep 6, 2011

Thank you Apocatastasis! I just added my email to their mailing list. Austin is where I want to work after school :) How do you like your program? I was accepted into a program here in Mass, but it is far too expensive here. So I'll be moving back to Dallas and hopefully attending a program there. But, I love Austin and will definitely be moving there in a few years!

NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN · Sep 9, 2011

Have you tried the civilian medical corps? I was on there the other day, drooling over the jobs for psychiatric NPs, and as I understand it, Fort Hood is somewhere near Austin? Hope I got that right. (I'm from GA, we use psy-NP here too, although the CNS is equal to being under the MD's thumb)

jamesy7 · Sep 25, 2011

"Texas also ranks last in the country in the percent of children who receive needed mental health care."

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2011/09/25/rick_perrys_texas_faces_widening_health_care_gap/?p1=News_links

Looks like the Texas healthcare system isn't working out. I think Perry is coming under a lot of heat - maybe he will make some changes? I hope they broaden APN's privileges.