许多护士希望提升自己的职业生涯，决定追求一个 护理学硕士(MSN) degree, which gives them an opportunity to attain leadership roles and help fill the demand for advanced practice nurses. They could become nurse educators, administrators or nurse practitioners, among many other roles.
The need for more MSN-trained nurses has been well documented, with the 劳工统计局(BLS) predicting a 45% 护士从业人员增长率从 2022-2032.*为寻求成为执业护士的个人, Herzing University offers multiple master’s degree concentrations, including 家庭执业护士(FNP) and 精神科精神健康执业护士(PMHNP).
While there are a lot of similarities between these two careers, they are not the same. These degrees carry varying responsibilities that can ultimately lead to different career paths. Here are the key differences that you should know between FNPs and PMHNPs:
1. Responsibilities
FNPs provide care across a patient’s entire lifespan, and they can work in a variety of specialties. Some of the FNP的主要职责 可能包括开处方药, ordering and performing tests, 制定护理计划并进行体检. 同时照顾病人的身体健康, FNPs还可能处理心理健康的某些方面. FNPs can provide limited care plans and even prescribe some medications, 但它们在精神卫生保健方面的范围有限. FNPs will collaborate with other healthcare professionals who provide patients’ long-term mental health treatment and psychotherapy.
Like FNPs, PMHNPs will provide care and treatment for patients from pediatrics to geriatrics, but their specialty lies in treating and promoting awareness of mental health conditions. PMHNPs会开药, treatment and/or therapy for mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, dementia and many other conditions. Unlike FNP, PMHNPs can provide long-term treatment and offer psychotherapy.
2. Work Environments
FNPs work 在传统的医疗环境中，如医生办公室, hospitals, 门诊护理中心，有时是学校和大学. 它们对医疗实践很有价值, both public and private, 因为他们可以治疗不同类型的病人.
PMHNPs can work in traditional healthcare settings but their practice can also take them into other environments. PMHNPs might work in prisons, community clinics and mental health clinics in addition to hospitals and doctor’s offices. At Herzing, PMHNPs also receive additional training to prepare them for the evolving role in telehealth 所以他们可以提供远程病人护理, which is needed because many people in the United States are unable to visit mental healthcare providers in person.
3. Education
作为FNP和PMHNP的职业都需要一个MSN学位. At Herzing, both programs are accredited by the 大学护理教育委员会(CCNE) 并且提供100%的在线课程. 两个学位课程都需要临床时间, however, Herzing has a team of advisors dedicated to helping students secure their preceptor and clinical as part of our Clinical Placement Pledge. Clinical experiences are a key component of both programs as they enable students to practice the hands-on 成为执业护士所需的技能.
Herzing提供了几种获得FNP学位的途径.
A BSN to FNP program can be completed in as little as 20 months for RNs who already hold a 护理学理学士. 对于没有BSN的注册会计师，Herzing提供了一个 RN to MSN-FNP 途径，可以在短短24个月内完成. Individuals who wish to get a BSN before proceeding to their MSN should weigh the benefits of the RN to BSN to MSN pathway to see if it is a good option for them.
一旦你完成了FNP幸运28计划, you will need to get your license for the state in which you wish to work. 许可证要求因州而异, 所以一定要研究一下你所在州所需的认证.
Herzing’s PMHNP program and pathways take about the same time to complete as the FNP degree. 对于已经拥有BSN的注册护士 BSN to PMHNP 衔接课程可在短短24个月内完成. The RN to MSN-PMHNP pathway program, 是为拥有副学士学位的注册护士设计的吗, 能在24个月内完成吗.
After completing a PMHNP program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the 美国护士资格认证中心 certification exam and become a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC).
Which program is right for you?
If you are certain that getting your MSN is the next step for you, 但你不确定哪个学位最适合你, 以下是需要考虑的最后几点:
- If you are interested in giving a voice to patients who are often misunderstood and raise awareness for lesser-known health issues, 成为一名PMHNP可能很适合你. Every day is different, and you will work with patients who might be experiencing physical as well as mental health problems. 对心理健康有热情尤佳.
- If you are interested in working in a field with broader options, 你可以考虑申请FNP. 你将亲自与病人打交道, 通常作为主要的护理来源, to provide them with holistic, 为他们的所有需求提供优质护理. 你可以选择一个特定的专业, 你也可以选择自己独特的职业道路.
Both careers are highly rewarding and help fill the demand in the healthcare industry. 今天拿到学位，你就能有所作为!
了解更多关于软件下载的MSN程序
*美国劳工统计局(BLS).S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, 你想要工作的地理市场和学位领域, 会影响职业成果和收入吗. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, 加薪或其他职业发展.
