The Psych NP: Should you get Psych RN experience before becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner? 

This makes me want to start a channel. I went from being a classically trained chef to LPN to ADN then to BSN, now in PMHNP and hopefully next to opening my own private practice.

I have been an RN for 40 years and am turning 64 today (June 12) and I am enrolling in a PMHNP MSN program. I have wanted this decades ago, however back then no NP could ever practice independently. Now my state (1st 3 years under supervision) and the state that borders me allows for independent practice. I am now in a place in my life where I can do this. I am very excited, and somehow laughing at myself. Decades ago I always thought that if I could I would slow down when I reached my 60"s and now I find myself a little bored. To enroll in grad school blows my mind, but I am ready!! This video is helpful as I don't have allot of direct psych RN experience, but I know from my previous experience and interest that I will be fine.

I’m graduating in May with PMHNP and I have no mental health nursing experience. This is a such hot topic and also concerned me enough which kept from applying sooner. I know a lot of great providers who did not have any psychiatric experience. I’m glad to hear you hired the new graduate who is very compassionate. I think having experience as a nurse is important, not mental health nursing specifically. Having a solid nursing foundation will allow PMHNPs to assess patients not only form mental health issues but other health problems that can be found.

I’m a new subscriber. Love the content you bring., I am an Adult-Geriatric Primary Care NP since 2018. I’ve been a nurse 21 years. I am about to begin classes soon to get my second post masters NP certification in Psych. I will say you don’t necessarily need to have worked in a psych specific setting because when you have been a nurse as long as I have you have been around a lot of psych. Patients are struggling emotionally and mentally in all settings. I’ve done years of home health where you see a lot of psych, diagnosed and undiagnosed, and I’ve worked in jails for many years and that’s a-lot of psych. I have been doing hospice and palliative care for the last few years as an NP. You are right in that it needs to be a passion. Otherwise you shouldn’t bother with it. It will take true dedication and patience to do this specialty. I look back and wish I did it first but I’m here now. Appreciate the videos.

As a nurse who has struggled with my own anxiety/mental health struggle and 2 decades in nursing; I can tell you that any nurse that has a long enough career has psych experience. I as a nurse do research on my own in psych snd have a passion/ interest for it. IMO if you have passion for it, then you are better off than a psychiatrist that also never had experience and does not have a passion for it.

This was such a great conversation. I’m trying to decide where I want to take my NP (haven’t started yet) I have a friend who is jazzed to precept me but she works in oncology. I worked corrections as a nurse very closely with psychiatry and psychology and loved it! Lots of psych there for sure. I’m think of going to psych unit while in school.

This was very honest and very helpful. Thank you

I agree! You need the passion! Any PMHNP here in Tampa?? I'm in grad school now, 1 more year to go!🙌

I’m a BSN considering PMHNP. However, I have a tendency to carry the weight of the traumatic situations or stressful situations others have endured. Some situations I am referring to are things such as rape, molestation, and severe physical abuse, etc. After being told about whatever the situation or trauma my patients or even my friends and family have gone through, I think about it long afterward and it really bothers me on a deep level. I am worried that if I become a psych NP, that I will carry the trauma every patient has been through. How do you care for and empathize with your patients while also not allowing their trauma to become your trauma? How do you separate yourself from that to be the best Psych NP you can for your patients while also protecting yourself? This may sound stupid or selfish, and I don’t meant it to sound that way if it does. I’m just seeking to understand how to not carry the weight of the tragedies others have endured for my own mental wellbeing as well as for the wellbeing of my family. I want to add that I have no experience as an RN in psych. My experience is in surgery, urology, primary care, and quality. I have been an RN for over 13 years.

To your point about not really being sure, I will say providers consult each other all the time and I think that’s a good thing!

I am starting PMHNP school next year without any psychiatric nurse experience. This will not hinder me from pursuing my dream, though. Thank you for your video.

I appreciate this video! I applied to start my PMHNP program in the fall and am excited to start. I have been interested in psych since high school stemming from my personal life experiences, and every time we did psych rotations in nursing (LPN & RN), I loved it. I wish psych rotations were longer because there is a lot of psych encountered in many other healthcare settings. Even though I have inpatient psych experience, you guys answered my concerns on this topic, and I appreciate you all for having this discussion.

Yay for PMHNPs!

This was very valuable information. I always appreciate the knowledge I gain from your videos. If you’re accepting NP students to precept or interns please let me know!

Hey! Thanks for your videos, really, I appreciate you so much. I’ve been an RN for 26 years(since age 20) and after Covid, I am heading back to school as management isn’t for me. I have chosen PMHNP as I know I’ll be really great at it, I am looking for any info as I am currently applying. Thank you so much!! P.s. I have no acute psych Experience, but as a bedside acute care RN in the inner city, I have cared for so many psych patients that aren’t acceptable (yet) for a psychiatric hospital. They have to have their medical needs resolved before going to an appropriate mental health unit/facility. Many psych holds on my unit I’ve learned a lot from working in the city. Patients with poor access to mental health, etc

Your videos are so helpful! Could you make a video on how to find jobs as Psych NP?

I’m also a icu nurse who is starting PMHNP school with a great program in the fall. I’m currently accepting a contingent psych nursing job at a local outpatient psych facility it operates like a psych urgent care. Would you recommend a more inpatient psych facility for experience? I would work part time until I begin school full time and then probably just stay contingent.

I love this video! I’m in nursing school right now and I have watched a lot of your videos and have done my psych clinicals already. I’m interested in becoming a PMHNP, but with that being said should I do my first year in a med-surg unit to have my clinical skills solidified or should I directly apply for psych rn jobs?

Thank you for this video!!! Do you guys have any PsychNPs in NJ? I’m about to enroll and don’t know if I should go the AGNP or PMHNP route. Please, if you have someone that can give me a little guidance, I would be beyond appreciative!

Hello. Can you help me ask this question somewhere to psych NPs and psych NP students?: Why did you go back to school (i.e. what were you hoping for), and what are you expecting now/what are you looking forward to? This is bothering me a lot but I don’t know how to get a response. Thank you.

Thanks to you I decided to get my PMHNP. I have a lot of pathology in my family, just watching them decompensate and the mistrust they have with the medical community is real. This in itself has lit a fire in my soul and has given me the strength and courage to back to school. This video let me know that I made the correct decision even though I don't have any psych experience but I have passion for pysch because of my family. I live in southern Pa near MD, do you know any receptors in this area?

This is topical for me! I am about to start my PMHNP MSN program, and have been working in step down and telemetry my entire time as an RN. However, I i worked as a psych tech for about 3.5 years before i went to nursing school. I'm pretty nervous to get started since i dont have any psych RN experience, but this video makes me feel more reassured that I'm making the right decision.

Can anyone recommend courses for starting NP business ?

I want to try outpatient psych as a registered nurse .

Can I email U and ask U a few questions psych np?

How to find a job as a new psych NP

Do psych NPs receive calls and emails on their days off???

How is the practice going now? You have been a huge inspiration for me as I move through my program. It's been almost a year since the last video, hope all is doing well for you. 🙏🙏

Meds and therapy best outcome.

We have a profession not a job. A job is a job at an office or in retail. As professionals we are constantly educating ourselves and learning about new treatments.

You can always tell who nurses are who didn’t have psych experience vs ones who did. PMHNP schools need to start requiring the experience. She has a “passion” but never got into the field, like, c’mon.

Must be hellllla busy since no videos in a year 😂