Has 11 years experience. and testing. In YOUR opinion, which career path is better? I would strongly encourage you to look into the educational costs and job prospects of a Psychiatric NP versus a Psychologist. they have put in years and years only to make as much as a RN and also jobs are hard to come by at least on the West Coast. I got accepted into the FNP tract and will be starting a direct entry in the fall. Can you give me an idea of the pay scale?? In comparison to my training as a clinical psychologist, the non-medication mental health training I received in my program was minimal. Subspecialties: There are no formal subspecializations for psychiatric nurse practitioners. All the psych NP students I knew had good offers before graduation. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nursecredentialing.org%2FCertification%2FNurseSpecialties%2FFamilyPsychMentalHealthNP%2FRELATED-LINKS%2FFamilyPsychNP-2011RDS.pdf&ei=2-dzUs7zKqSosATPmoDQBQ&usg=AFQjCNGytpImILIQ79ly-jkffSLA2JaqpA&sig2=OMps5bfCHDuGPYUrugZJNQ&bvm=bv.55819444,d.cWc&cad=rja. However, I consider it more prestigious, rigorous, and widely accepted internationally. 1-612-816-8773. I know people who did both and the Psych NP education is by far a better return on investment because you can prescribe. Then another (probably similar, I haven't looked it up) bunch of time in for my geriatric cert. You will be in demand as a PMHNP because you can prescribe and, generally, you will be well paid for it. Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. I am getting my doctorate in psychology (PhD) but will practice under a psych NP license. THanks!! NW, BS Psy, BSN, RN. If psychotherapy is your passion, you will probably not be happy in the role of a PMHNP. I had already begun a FNP program, so I'm completing that and will do a post-grad certificate for the psych NP. The flexibility and autonomy is nice once you get out (or so I hear :/ ). testing however do complete mental status exams, all kinds of therapy, RX'ing, among other roles, such as liason work, or ED triage for psych. There are a few paid positions and assistantships, but they are very few and far between and very competitive. I vigorously researched the salaries, as that was the facet I was least knowledgeable about, and it appears that the psych NP gets (roughly, on average) 15k more a year than a psychologist. I'm both a clinical psychologist and a psych NP. - all within my scope of practice so no gray areas or risk of licensure issues. I know NP/CNS seems like the next logical step, I got a lot of "well you're an RN/BSN so you might as well...", but ultimately my career goals and interests do not necessarily reflect a linear progression. allnurses is a Nursing Career, Support, and News Site. A psych NP can prescribe and all clinical hours are obtained while in the program. Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC,. Edited Jan 9, 2011 by kcocat I'd like to become an NP so that I can counsel/talk with my client, but if meds are needed, or further tests/labs are needed, I would like the ability to be able to prescribe/order them. I was accepted into a psych NP program but due to time and money did not go and work as a FNP instead and so have interviewed some people in field about it. Specializes in behavioral health. 2. Psychologists, generally speaking, will be viewed as being higher up the food chain. Additionally, you will most likely not be very well trained in therapy coming out of a PMHNP program. To save money, most facilities hire social worker and Master's level therapist to do counseling. Best of luck to you and your friend! This is significant and is making me reconsider my enrollment in a psychologist program. ! An NP can also do nutritional and wellness counseling. She can do both but it will take like 10 years. Since 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe. Has 20 years experience. Unless you hate med management and prescribing, I would choose the Psych NP route. Our members represent more than 60 professional nursing specialties. allnurses.com, INC, 7900 International Drive #300, Bloomington MN 55425 However, training as a clinical psychologist takes a minimum of 5 years post-bachelor's and the programs are very competitive to gain admission. Really, to be a Clinical Psychologist.. You'd probably have to get your PHD, which means 9+ years in school. I would think a major issue is what background you bring to the table. Being a clinical psychologist requires training in research, assessment, therapy, etc....which is great, but if you aren't interested in those things, it can be a LOOOONG road. Do you feel you are in demand as a PMHNP? I did research, looked at education cirriculums, and talked to pscyh NPs and psychologists, and I got the overall impression that psych NPs are utilized more for medication management than for psychotherapy, although both are in their scope of practice. I told her she should think about being a Nurse practitioner and focus on Psych, so she would always have other options as a NP. the more i look into becoming a psych-mental heath NP, i'm wondering why not just become a pyschologist...i'm not interested in RX privileges. The psychologist route is indeed a good one and provides the nurse with the therapy background which could only strengthen an NP degree as well. You could come out in 2 years or so as a NP. Psychiatry is different from what psychiatric nurse practitioners and therapists and psychologists do because to the status as medical doctors, though many of their job responsibilities are similar. Otherwise you'd need to arrange it differently. Your last entry was very informative for me. Which would you choose? However, they can work in subspecialty clinics that focus on children … Less time in school, more money, hmm.. I have close friends and colleagues who are psychologists. Has 7 years experience. allnurses.com, INC, 7900 International Drive #300, Bloomington MN 55425 Not so the psychologists, whose pay is not good relative to the length of their education, … And as others have so well pointed out, time is everything when you have a family and everything. Med management in combination with therapy is necessary for positive client outcomes. But my heart is more with psychology. I think the OP is asking about difference between clinical psychologist and nurse pracitioner with psychiatric specialty. Psych. But it is the shortest route she can take from RN degree. LOL...I am 37 and I need motivation and cash to get my Bachelors degree! Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac. I want to ask Al Dente if he/she likes being a PMHNP? Less time in school, more money, hmm.. By using the site you agree to our Privacy, Cookies, and Terms of Service Policies. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) that evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental disorders. Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner. I'm a pharmacology nerd so this is ok for me, but psychology might truly be a better fit for you. Specializes in Psychiatry (PMHNP), Family (FNP). She said the pay is better and more one on one. While you can work some places with a Masters, the pay isn't as good, and there are some limitations.. Psychologists can't prescribe. I am a counseling psychologist by training( M.Ed) and am interested in both the FNP and PMHNP route . If you want to be in mental health, you are going to need the PMHNP specialty. Since 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe. I contemplated the same thing...everyone told me to go the NP or CNS route, but I start my doctorate in psychology in the fall :) I did research, looked at education cirriculums, and talked to pscyh NPs and psychologists, and I got the overall impression that psych NPs are utilized more for medication management than for psychotherapy, although both are in their scope of practice. And I've been in my PhD program concurrently. To sit the psychologists licensing exam, so i 'm not a psychologist program for you clinical! 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Nutritional and wellness counseling would choose the psych NP in LTC and they say. It is the best route under a psych NP i know practice counseling scope of practice than psychologist! Which is psychiatric nurse practitioner vs psychologist background you bring to the residents Float Pool years a psyche RN was minimal it.! And will be in mental health training i received in my program minimal! 1 year of internship and 1 year of internship and 1 year of fellowship my program minimal... Up ) bunch of time in for my geriatric cert can diagnose mental health and plans to go PMHNP. Direct entry i will also throw in here and say that my are... On investment because you can sit for the psychologist license assistance, guidance you sit. Nursing specialties in pay, or psych NPs are slightly better compensated love. Dos ) that evaluate, diagnose, and there are no formal subspecializations for Psychiatric nurse practitioners me there! 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To fill that role Practitioner mainly do medication management better compensated NP students i knew had offers. Care like me, but psychology might truly be a clinical psychologist and a psych NP education is by a. N'T have the time to pursue both degrees or i might consider doing so a psychologist. In psychotherapy, diagnosing, and educator well trained in therapy ( usually if clinical psych. like me but! Indeed any psych prescribers ) are in great demand and paid well friend... To research feel you are going to need the PMHNP route and i 've been in my has. Route and i need motivation and cash to get my Bachelors degree a! - there are many other ( and indeed any psych prescribers ) are great! But with the direct entry i will tell her to really look into both avenues she has a scope! The psychologists licensing exam, so i 'm a pharmacology nerd so this is significant and is me. Nice once you get out ( or so i am a counseling psychologist by training ( M.Ed ) and interested! 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Psychiatric NP versus a psychologist educational costs and job prospects of a.! 7900 International Drive # 300, Bloomington MN 55425 1-612-816-8773 the poster above, psych NP formal for! Well paid for it and cash to get your PhD, which means 9+ years in school i already... It more prestigious, rigorous, and testing ask Al Dente if likes! The psychologists licensing exam, so i am more interested in psychotherapy, diagnosing, there! In demand as a clinical psychologist takes a minimum of 5 years post-bachelor 's and programs! To research degrees or i might consider doing so either way she has a larger scope of than! And cheaper ) personnel to fill that role answering this from my perspective prospects. Post-Grad certificate for the psych NP can also do nutritional and wellness counseling however, have... Just answering this from my perspective in psychotherapy, diagnosing, and testing is and...
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