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Is there a job that combines a nurse practitioner and a counselor?
I'm a junior in high school, and I'm torn between general medicine and psychology. I've always been interested in the responsibilities of a nurse practitioner, especially in pediatrics, but I've recently taken up an interest in a career as a counselor or psychologist. Are there any careers that contain both counseling and nursing elements?
#careers #counselor #nursing #medicine
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Helene (Eleni)’s Answer
You can look into majoring in psychology and then minoring in a medicine/biology sort of field. From there, you'll see which path interests you the most! There is a strong need for mental health therapists and psychology can certainly take you to that route.
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Suzanne’s Answer
Brooklyn, this is a very interesting question and how great that you have wide interests! There are a couple things I would say. One is that, yes, there are "psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners" who work with patients dealing with mental illness, substance abuse and other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression.
If you are more interested in counseling rather than the prescribing of medications and managing medication regimens you may be able to do a fair amount of what is called "anticipatory guidance" counseling as a pediatric or family nurse practitioner. This involved working with kids and/or their parents around what issues are likely to come up and what ages and how to deal with typical topics many people need to cope with. Examples of such topics might be how to deal with bullying, how to deal with peer pressure, what to expect if a loved one has died, etc.
If you particularly enjoy and are good at counseling it may well be that you can take on that role for the group or clinic that you work in as a nurse practitioner.
https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/what-is-a-psychiatric-np/
If you are more interested in counseling rather than the prescribing of medications and managing medication regimens you may be able to do a fair amount of what is called "anticipatory guidance" counseling as a pediatric or family nurse practitioner. This involved working with kids and/or their parents around what issues are likely to come up and what ages and how to deal with typical topics many people need to cope with. Examples of such topics might be how to deal with bullying, how to deal with peer pressure, what to expect if a loved one has died, etc.
If you particularly enjoy and are good at counseling it may well be that you can take on that role for the group or clinic that you work in as a nurse practitioner.
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Sandra’s Answer
Hi Brooklyn,
A career in mental health take on many varieties that depend upon which part of mental health interest you the most; as stated in Suzanne's answer, you can become a mental health nurse practitioner, including counseling roles; you can also refer your patients to other professional mental health entities that can improve their outcomes; in addition, you can become certified as a mental health nurse practitioner and get a certification in mental health counseling. Good luck with your endeavors.
A career in mental health take on many varieties that depend upon which part of mental health interest you the most; as stated in Suzanne's answer, you can become a mental health nurse practitioner, including counseling roles; you can also refer your patients to other professional mental health entities that can improve their outcomes; in addition, you can become certified as a mental health nurse practitioner and get a certification in mental health counseling. Good luck with your endeavors.
Updated
Nathan’s Answer
Hi Brooklyn,
A huge portion of your work as an NP will be counseling. You will constantly coach patients on the best course of action and work to calm their worries. Communication, in that sense, will be huge.
For a more immediate combination, you can be an NP in the Psych department. I've met a few outstanding NP's in this area, and the trend is growing.
Don't stress about combining these areas, as they are already very heavily intertwined.
Hope that helps!
A huge portion of your work as an NP will be counseling. You will constantly coach patients on the best course of action and work to calm their worries. Communication, in that sense, will be huge.
For a more immediate combination, you can be an NP in the Psych department. I've met a few outstanding NP's in this area, and the trend is growing.
Don't stress about combining these areas, as they are already very heavily intertwined.
Hope that helps!