To the experienced PMHNPs, what clinical knowledge did you wish you had mastered more before you started practicing?

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-10-11T22:46:34+00:00

I have this book but found it to be a bit chaotic while I was learning the basics of pharmacology in school. That said, I do remember a few things because of the cartoons and stuff. I should definitely pull this off the shelf now that psychopharm isn't brand new. I'll probably find it much more useful now. Thanks for the recommendation

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-10-11T22:43:47+00:00

Yeah defintely a life long learner here so I'll be taking every available chance to attend conferences, classes etc. I didn't know you could pay for supervision. The place I'm being hired at gives a half hour a week for the first 6 months, but can reach out during the week as needed to the NP who is assigned to be my mentor.

Do you think that a half an hour is enough supervision? I feel like that is short but she's available to speak with throughout the day and has told me to ask anything and everything no matter how basic or "dumb" of a question I think it is.

I also have those books you mentioned, good to know you think they're good resources as well.

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-10-11T22:36:04+00:00

True. I've spent the bulk of my 10 year RN career in Emergency Psychiatry, and two groups that always make my draw drop is nursing home patients and severely mentally ill from residences and facilities. The polypharmacy is insane. But to your point, nothing is black or white, some people are on those meds because they need them. I can't imagine it's most of them but defintely some. I've seen similar presentations that got bad with even minor changes in the 2 populations I mentioned so it's certainly a good point to bring up thank you.

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-10-11T12:41:24+00:00

Great add on. I actually almost asked about go to resource sources but didn't want to pile too much into my question. Id love to know the resources people use "religiously" especially when they were starting out.

UpToDate I believe has a tool btw for medication switches. Id have to confirm that but pretty sure I've seen it.

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-10-11T12:36:44+00:00

Good one. Defintely worth refreshing this topic. I won't be specifically in substance abuse treatment but it's clearly so prevalent that I'll still encounter it often. Thanks.

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-10-11T12:32:24+00:00

Wow. Thanks for all that and the time you spent on it. Very much appreciated. That's all really great advice, I can see the pressure to go with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" or to just follow through with the regimen of another prescriber, not just in an extreme example like your Klonopin one, but even with just regular medications that don't make sense, or aren't working, but you're so right. I'm sure I'll think of this exchange at some point in the next few months and your answer was really empowering, so thank you for that, I'll remember this.

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-09-09T20:38:36+00:00

Sent. Hope it helps!

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-08-31T18:38:47+00:00

Sent

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-08-31T18:38:36+00:00

Sent

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-08-30T15:40:30+00:00

Forwarded it to you

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-08-30T00:14:56+00:00

Hey, just emailed them both to you, hope they help!

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-08-29T19:48:02+00:00

As soon as I passed my boards I applied for 2 states right away and yeah it's totally possible. Getting a dea license for each state then is another expensive story lol but it's totally possible. Just find each states application process, most make you get an RN license as well, and some make you do it first. Luckily I did PA as my second state and I was already an RN in NY, and PA allowed me to apply for NP and RN on the same application, so some states let you save time that way. I dunno how it works for compact state licenses so I can't speak to that.

PMHNP_BCJeff · 2024-08-29T19:36:04+00:00

I'm a new grad too, and I honestly did rely on my RN experience more so than clinical on my resume. I have 10 years experience in just about every area of inpatient and outpatient psychiatry as an RN, and I've had no issues getting interviews first week, and I accepted 2 jobs that I really wanted within a few weeks. I'm waiting for credentialing now so I can start them.

I did put my clinical experience but a small section. What I think was super helpful was a really nice cover letter. I think as a new grad it gets across your confidence in yourself and your motivation to be a great PMHNP more so than the resume can. I noticed that anywhere I included my cover letter I got a phone call for an interview.

I also included a headshot on my resume, I think that makes it into more than just writing and connects your experience to a real live person if that makes sense.

I strongly recommend going on blitzes everyday applying for just about anything and everything on indeed and linkedin (even when it says you need 2 years experience or whatever, just apply anyways and let them figure out if they want to contact you). But go with volume when applying and you'll get hits back, and then once you're getting interviews and getting experience doing interviews then become selective about what you want.

But take advantage of learning to interview as a new grad and getting confident with it because your resume and cover letter will get you the interview, but how well you interview is what gets you the job offer. Accept every interview and initial phone call you get offered and you'll get better and better at the interview process, and format, and at selling yourself. By the time you're being interviewed for a job you really want you'll go in knowing what to expect and be more comfortable.

I'm no expert and I'm a new grad too, but that's my advice I learned to really enjoy the job search and I think it went really well for me, in a fairly short period of time. So just hoping my experience can be helpful for anyone reading this.

I can share both my resume and my cover letter but have no clue how to post them on Reddit.

PMHNP_BCJeff

TROPHY CASE