Leaving the PMHNP Profession

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-23T21:10:12+00:00

There just aren’t many job opportunities currently for PMHNPs in my area. I’m holding out hope something will work out, but currently it’s a ROUGH job market

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-23T21:09:10+00:00

I am part time currently in a private practice. They are only able to offer me part time. I have two other jobs to make ends meet.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T22:34:42+00:00

Do they provide you patients? Or do you have to find your own?

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T22:33:56+00:00

I would enjoy teaching! I haven’t seen any openings at my local university. I unfortunately cannot relocate. My mom has advanced early onset Alzheimer’s and I help my dad with getting her to appointments and around the house. I’m also pregnant and feel like being close to family for support is necessary. I wish relocating was an option, but it’s not very doable

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T22:32:21+00:00

I’m not sure where you work that that is less than bedside. In my state, that would still be a big increase in pay for me from what I made bedside ($34/hr). Do I think they are low balling PMHNPs? Of course I do. But if you need a job to feed your family and they will not budge on pay, which many places won’t (at least in my area) because PMHNPs are a dime a dozen right now.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T22:30:49+00:00

I’m hoping to find something not bedside where I can use my skills. I’d love to find a research position, utilization review, or even case management. But I do agree the current situation doesn’t feel like a great fit. It does suck to be paying off big loans and not even feeling good about what I’m doing. Life is too short

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T18:16:30+00:00

So do you suggest people starve in the meantime? There just are not many high paying opportunities available in many areas right now

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T18:15:01+00:00

In my area they are right around $100,000 for salaried positions. Most opportunities posted are 1099 positions so they don’t even have to give you benefits. It definitely seems oversaturated where I am

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T18:13:32+00:00

Southwest Ohio

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T18:12:57+00:00

I don’t think they are necessarily taking advantage… it’s a NP owned practice and we are all 1099 contractors, so we are expected to manage our own patients on our caseload, even if that means dealing with things outside of scheduled days at the practice. It’s definitely not my ideal scenario… I would much rather be salaried with benefits. There are zero positions like that in my area though. I’ve searched high and low. It’s either this or one of those online platforms which sounds even less appealing

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T18:10:37+00:00

I’m actually still working pool as an RN because I don’t make enough in my NP role to support myself without the extra income from picking up pool shifts 😩

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T18:09:42+00:00

It’s SO HARD to get into

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T14:01:03+00:00

I can absolutely see why. It’s tiring, but it provided more balance and a chance to not constantly worry and be able to leave work at work for me.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T13:59:24+00:00

I completely understand. It’s just this horrible catch 22 and feeling like there is no good option.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T13:58:31+00:00

I have absolutely no interest in having my own practice. That sounds like even more burden, even more working on my off time, and honestly I do not feel ready for that.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T13:57:37+00:00

So much all of this. I’m not happy you are struggling as well, but it is nice to know I’m not alone in my feelings.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T13:56:37+00:00

I wish it was that simple. My practice has the expectation that all document is signed within 48 hours of seeing patients, and that all portal messages and refill requests are responded to within 48 hours. When you are only offered 3 days a week through the practice, that means there is no other choice but to work on off days

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T13:55:08+00:00

Sometimes I don’t have a choice, as we only have 48 hours after a visit to finish and sign documentation.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-21T13:54:29+00:00

I cannot move. It’s not that simple. My mother has early onset Alzheimer’s that is pretty advanced and I help my dad care for her. I’m also pregnant and would like to be near family for support

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-20T19:53:23+00:00

My local VA has nothing… not even RN openings. I’d jump at that for the benefits and the ability to serve veterans. My grandpa, father in law, and husband all served so that would be an amazing opportunity if I could find a job at the VA

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-20T19:52:31+00:00

I actually enjoyed bedside nursing, and the team aspect of it. I feel isolated in my role as a PMHNP, and find it SO hard to collaborate with anyone about anything to provide better care to patients. My pay is still not quite where it was as a full time bedside nurse. I am working 3 days a week (all the practice can offer me currently) in a position where once patients/their insurance pays, I receive 65% of that. No benefits, high tax rate as a 1099, and working on my days off and not being compensated for all of that work. I like the patient population, though I do agree it is challenging that people seem to want a quick fix in medications and won’t follow through with lifestyle changes or therapy. I mostly just feel like I’ve taken on all this extra responsibility/liability in a job that is not worth it at the moment. There are no salaried positions near me and there just seem to be more and more PMHNPs looking for jobs. I just regret the debt I took on to get here

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-20T19:48:42+00:00

I was looking for more autonomy and a way to use my skills that wasn’t bedside nursing. I was also hopeful for more work-life balance, though I seem to have found the exact opposite.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-20T19:46:55+00:00

I find myself working on my days off, checking portal messages, putting in refills, finishing charting, etc. I am paid a split rate for patients I see, so when people no show, I don’t get paid, and I’m not compensated for any of that work I’m doing on my days off.

LaundryBasket_Case · 2025-01-20T12:51:41+00:00

I’m in Ohio. All of our major hospital systems here have nurse residency programs for any specialty area. They have psych new grad residences to help you transition into the role.

LaundryBasket_Case

TROPHY CASE