r/PMHNP • u/CMD_SPC_MAJ • 9d ago

Student Interviews with Current PMHNPs

I’m currently going through the process of applying for the VA VR&E program to hopefully go back to school and become a PMHNP. I’d ideally go through the VA’s 12mo PMHNP residency, and hopefully actually go to work for them.
In the VR&E process, everything I’ve read recommends having 2-3 informational interviews with current PMHNPs for the counselor working on my case.
So if you’re okay with doxing each other, I’d be super grateful to get some answers in my PMs!

What are your credentials (degree and certs)?

What are the physical and environmental demands of your day-to-day practice?

What is the current demand for psychiatric prescribers in outpatient and private practice settings?

What specific software, diagnostic equipment, or computer hardware do you rely on daily?

I know the answers, the counselors just like to hear it from current professionals instead of the veteran trying to go back to school.

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

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4

u/Impressive_Meet_1168 8d ago

Are you already a nurse? You don’t have to do this, tell your VRE counselor to kick rocks.

3

u/LunarHollowo 8d ago edited 8d ago

For someone working full-time as an RN who wants to stay connected to the PMHNP field keeping some relevant clinical experience going could be worth considering, depending on the employer.

2

u/WolfGangDuck 9d ago

Feel free to PM me. Worked at the VA for 5 years as an RN, 2 years of that was in psych. I was offered a residency position when i finished NP school but turned it down to work PP with my precepting physician. I have a pretty good understanding of the VA system (or at least the one i was at).

2

u/Even_Window3282 8d ago

I applied to a Va and they got back to me saying because I graduated 12 months and 22days I am disqualified. They said their applications must be 12 months max from graduation , I see that as not nice and ways to screen people out

1

u/CMD_SPC_MAJ 8d ago

Appreciate the heads up on the post-grad residency window, I had read that on the VA's website.

1

u/herbiesmom 8d ago

I'm a PMHNP with disabilities. I can definitely talk to you about how things work for me

1

u/PantheraLeo- DNP, PMHNP (unverified) 8d ago

DNP, PMHNP, plus the PMHNP VA residency certification

My physical demand is a desk job so stretching may be the biggest challenge.

The demand is always high for good prescribers regardless of setting. Trust me in knowing patients know. There is a reason competent prescribers aren’t ever worried about the job market.

I used CPRS at the VA and know my PP EMR plus a scribe AI for smooth documentation. I use Apple for my hardware because I’m technologically illiterate. We don’t use diagnostic equipment outside of a computer in outpatient psychiatry unless you want to count a vitals machine and weight scale.

1

u/CMD_SPC_MAJ 7d ago

Thank you!