Wilkes postgraduate PMHNP program fall 2020

[ToFNPandBeyond]

Hey all!

I got accepted to the postgraduate pmhnp program at wilkes for fall 2020. Thought I'd create a thread for us.

Any idea how much tuition till cost for us? Based on credit hours, I estimate round $13K, not counting books, etc. Any specific idea of cost would be appreciated.

Also, around what time should we expect to go to orientation?

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

[MecoNP, MSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

I’m located in a Georgia... I hear ya about lying fallow. The way my mind works, I really need to keep it going.

[FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP]

My SIL lives in Georgia!!

[PG-15, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP]

11 minutes ago, FNPDreams said:

No, there are 2 semesters of clinicals. 250 hours each (50 w/child/adolescent) So for me it would be Sept & again in Jan ‘21. The semesters are only 12 weeks long so it is challenging. I believe they do grant a little extra time to finish clinical hrs if you need them. I wish I wasn’t lying fallow during the Summer...LOL, but I’m going to try and get my suboxone waiver & a few other things. What state are you in? There is supposed to be a “residency” located somewhere near the clinical locations but I don't have any info about that.

I believe we have to 15 weeks to complete clinical. So 3 extra weeks if needed.

[FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP]

For NPinthefuture...it is different if you are coming from another MSN. I did that too. I was MSN med/surg Clinical Specialty before I did post MSN for FNP, but from some time back when Roles etc was not required. Some of my courses were waived. You may need 3Ps first Etc so you have to figure that in. Wilkes has an on campus short requirement for their Health Assessment course. You may need Research (I was required to conduct & publish an actual research project for MSN), so it is hard to say from my perspective. What I will say is that you have to be able to work your clinical hours in around your job if you are working & that can be tough. Finding psych preceptors is more difficult than FNP!! Overall...yes...it is doable. Anything is if you set your mind to it. Good Luck!!

[FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP]

Thanks PG-15!! That’s good to know! Where are you @ in the program right now?

[NPinthefuture, ASN, BSN, MSN]

Good Luck to you guys too! It does seem more difficult to find preceptors in Psych. I work in Outpatient behavioral health so I’m hoping to have some connections. Also can you use FNP preceptors when doing a Psych rotation If they are experienced in Psych areas?

[FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP]

3 minutes ago, FNPDreams said:

Thanks PG-15!! That’s good to know! Where are you @ in the program right now?

1 minute ago, NPinthefuture said:

Good Luck to you guys too! It does seem more difficult to find preceptors in Psych. I work in Outpatient behavioral health so I’m hoping to have some connections. Also can you use FNP preceptors when doing a Psych rotation If they are experienced in Psych areas?

Sorry...I’m trying to get the hang of how to properly reply on this!! You definitely have an advantage. I believe FNPs & CNS are acceptable to Wilkes if they have been in psych for @ least 5 years. I always feel that challenges the scope of practice as we are not trained or licensed to treat complex mental illness. We can treat depression/anxiety etc but bipolar fx, schizophrenia we do not really have the in-depth training to manage that.

[PG-15, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP]

8 minutes ago, FNPDreams said:

Thanks PG-15!! That’s good to know! Where are you @ in the program right now?

Hi FNPDreams,

I will begin in the fall.

[FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP]

Just now, PG-15 said:

Hi FNPDreams,

I will begin in the fall.

Good luck to you! Almost my entire psychopharmacology class were NPs except 1. You have more info than I had!

[NPinthefuture, ASN, BSN, MSN]

I see. It is very interesting to know that. I’m just wondering later will I be going back for my FNP. It is hard to say at this point.

[PG-15, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP]

Hi, FNP Dreams,

Thanks! How was the first semester? I hear we have three exams for psychopharm? What about the other class? Three papers and weekly discussions? I response? Also, $15 per each test?

Thanks!

[FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP]

1 minute ago, NPinthefuture said:

I see. It is very interesting to know that. I’m just wondering later will I be going back for my FNP. It is hard to say at this point.

Might get bigger bang for your buck to get DNP as that opens the door for teaching & there is a lack of educators and preceptors in pmhnp at the moment. One thing to keep in mind for dual certification is liability & you need to maintain hours & CEU for recert for each specialty.