Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner vs Masters in Social Work (Jackson: income, professionals)

[icujunkie]

I know that the credentials vary state to state. I am looking for information regarding whether or not to pursue a psychiatric nurse practitioner or a master's degree in social work. My goal is to counsel individuals, eventually opening a private practice. I am currently a surgical/trauma ICU nurse and the Nurse Practitioner appears to make more sense at this time but locating answers to my questions is easier said than done! Please assist me.

[thinkin about it]

NP-Six figure income with a science-based curriculum at your back, coupled with the ability to open a private practice and dispense medicine. The field is wide open and work is plentiful.


Social work-If you get a managerial position after 15 years, you might break 50K. Doubtful though. Liberal arts educational background, ie, warm and fuzzy cliches' with good intentions but limited ability. Many can't find work at all.

Night and day.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by thinkin about it

NP-Six figure income with a science-based curriculum at your back, coupled with the ability to open a private practice and dispense medicine. The field is wide open and work is plentiful.


Social work-If you get a managerial position after 15 years, you might break 50K. Doubtful though. Liberal arts educational background, ie, warm and fuzzy cliches' with good intentions but limited ability. Many can't find work at all.

Night and day.

I agree-and the burn out rate for Social Work is tremendous.

[Camden Northsider]

My field is related to social work, and judging by the amount of MSW resumes coming across my desk for very entry level positions, I would say that right now is not a great time for MSWs...go with the Nurse Practitioner.

[jackmccullough]

Since you're in Minnesota you might be interested in Law and Mental Health Professionals: Minnesota, a volume in a series published by the American Psychological Association. Among other things, the series covers the education and licensure requirements in the various states.

If it's not available at your local law library you can obtain it from Amazon or the APA.

[OBJunkie]

ICUJunkie... I am in the same boat. I am an OB nurse and I am looking at different psych NP programs online. I have considered the MSW route too, but it is easier for us to go the NP route. I am thinking I need to get some psych experience too. I have never worked in psych... have you? I would love for us to put our heads together and share information etc. My email is [email]NinaJacksonRN@hotmail.com[/email]. Please send me an email... maybe we can support eachother through this.

[bdng09]

Originally Posted by thinkin about it

NP-Six figure income with a science-based curriculum at your back, coupled with the ability to open a private practice and dispense medicine. The field is wide open and work is plentiful.


Social work-If you get a managerial position after 15 years, you might break 50K. Doubtful though. Liberal arts educational background, ie, warm and fuzzy cliches' with good intentions but limited ability. Many can't find work at all.

Night and day.

This is really bogus information. I have a MSW degree from one of the top social work master's programs in the country, and am licensed as a social worker who practices psychotherapy. Our training does not consist of 'feel-good cliches',' as you put it. We learn targeted psychotherapeutic interventions to help people with mental health issues.

To be sure, we don't make a ton of money, but to dismiss all of social work as folks with 'limited ability' clearly shows your ignorance about the field. There are amazing social worker, psychiatrists, psychologists, and there are also terrible professionals as well. Learn some stuff before posting garbage.

[MSWsonia]

Originally Posted by thinkin about it

NP-Six figure income with a science-based curriculum at your back, coupled with the ability to open a private practice and dispense medicine. The field is wide open and work is plentiful.


Social work-If you get a managerial position after 15 years, you might break 50K. Doubtful though. Liberal arts educational background, ie, warm and fuzzy cliches' with good intentions but limited ability. Many can't find work at all.

Night and day.

This isn't correct at all, actually.

I am a clinical social worker in california right now with a Master's and I make 80k, and that is only with 3 years of experience. Also my graduate training was far from warm and fuzzy cliches, so please be more respectful.

Psych NP would be an excellent option if you hope to have a private practice AND prescribe medications. Yes you will likely end up making more money in the long run, but it all depends on how you would like to run your practice. Both are excellent options.

All in all they are both good choices, just depends on what you want your focus to be (you may end up doing a lot of med management as a psych NP.) You will make more as a Psych NP, of course. Right now LCSWs who are doing private practice tend to charge between $100-150/hr for private practice therapy. I am unsure of what Psych NPs would charge.

Best of luck!